2012-04-10

LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. George Mack, Jr. and Mr. Joe Mitcham.

Ms. Lisa Best and Ms. Lynda Henderson were absent.

President Anders called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Mr. Hunt. Ms. Abrahm led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, and visitors to the meeting.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda with the addition of one item of New Business: Resolution approving the application for grant funds from the FHWA Recreational Trails Program.

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 6, 2012, and the Special Called Sessions held on March 14, 2012, and March 21, 2012, as distributed.

The Outstanding School Support Employee Awards Program provides an opportunity to honor outstanding employees in the elementary, middle, and high school levels who support and provide leadership in the operation of non-instructional activities within the school system according to Director of Auxiliary Services, Charles Owens. He reviewed the selection procedure and presented plaques to the following in order to recognize their contributions to the Lincoln Parish School System:

Doris Roberson Elementary Custodian at Cypress Springs

Elizabeth Toney Junior High Paraprofessional at I. A. Lewis

Cathy Riggin High School Paraprofessional at Choudrant High

Unneeded items from the Career Academy; a wrecked truck; a truck that was not running, eighteen 1990-1995 buses, as well as broken, obsolete or unneeded property at several schools were on surplus lists from George Murphy, Business Manager; James Payton, Transportation Coordinator; and Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor. They asked for permission to advertise the items and sell them to the highest bidder with a minimum bid of $1,000 for each bus. In the event that there are no bidders, they requested permission to dispose of the items in a prudent manner.

Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise the broken, obsolete and unneeded items, trucks, and buses, sell them to the highest bidder with a minimum bid of $1,000 for each bus, and, to dispose of the items in a prudent manner should there be no bidders.

The Board was reminded by George Murphy that each year schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund to purchase instructional supplies. These amounts are distributed on a per pupil basis through the business department. Mr. Murphy proposed the same per pupil allocations from the previous year, but noted the Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center was added to the list of schools. The $80,433.25 distribution he recommended was:

Art K-12- $1.75 per student

Physical Education K-12 - $1.75 per student

Library Supplies K-5 - $1.25 per student

6-12 - $1.75 per student

Music K-5 - $1.25 per student

6-12 - $1.75 per student

Magazines & K-6 - $3.00 per student

Newspapers 7-12 - $3.25 per student

Science K-6 - $1.50 per student

7-8 - $3.00 per student

9-12 - $4.50 per student

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the distribution of 1979 sales tax monies for instructional supply money as mentioned above in the total amount of $80,433.25.

In order to comply with state law, Charles Owens requested permission to advertise for bids in order to purchase materials and supplies for the next school year.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for duplicating paper, toilet tissue, paper towels, dust mops, gasoline, and diesel for 12-13.

Charles Owens presented the annual request for permission to advertise and accept bids in order to purchase food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment for the 12-13 school year.

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise and accept the lowest bids meeting specifications on all purchases of food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment that meet specifications for the 12-13 school year.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole, and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were considered after being recommended by Mary Null, James Payton, Charles Owens, and Doris Marzett, School Food Service Supervisor:

1. Retirement of the following:

Sally Landry, teacher at Hico Elementary, effective Mary 26, 2012;

Hilda Grafton, librarian at Hillcrest Elementary, effective May 26, 2012;

Marsha Armond, librarian at Ruston Elementary, effective May 26, 2012;

Rickey Burton, assistant principal at Ruston Junior High, effective June 23, 2012;

Remonia Hudson, counselor at Youth Rescue Center, effective June 9, 2012; and

James Patton, paraprofessional at Youth Rescue Center, effective May 25, 2012.

2. Professional sabbatical leave request for the first semester of 12-13 effective August 13, 2012, from Amanda Cauley, ELA teacher at Dubach High.

3. Retirement of Joe Gaido, bus driver in the Ruston district, effective January 3, 2012.

4. Retirement of Donald Mayfield, custodian at Glen View Elementary, effective March 20, 2012.

5. Retirement of Donna Holloway, school food service manager at Cypress Springs, effective May 25, 2012.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.

March 2012 sales tax collections totaled $985,394 reported George Murphy. That was a 4.94% increase compared to the same month last year. Two good months in a row made the year-to-date totals climb to 1.90%. Audit recoveries were $6,141 for the month which was down 64% compared to the same month last year and 25.93% year-to-date. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 funds were $447,906, and $537,487 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 funds. Primary reasons for the increase were oil and gas extractions being slightly higher and automotive dealers and service stations being up.

Mr. Murphy said the financial statement for the month ending February 2012 was comparable to February 2011. The general fund was up to $3.1 million year-to-date. The sales tax funds are going okay, but balances will decrease after the salary supplement checks are paid in June. The ad valorem tax funds are still in good shape for the time of year. He noted at the bottom right an unassigned fund balance was included next to the total fund balance that was added last month.

The health/dental plan was down $376,499 for the month ending December 2011 and $2,121,833 year-to-date according to George Murphy. He realizes he is behind getting health care fund reports out, but it’s been tough to do with the transition between Covenant and Blue Cross. As soon as he can get accurate information from Blue Cross, he will issue a report.

In his construction update, Charles Owens said construction at Choudrant High is wrapping up. Construction at the Ruston High Jimmy “Chick” Childress Field House is on schedule and going well. The fire marshal was present earlier in the day. Hopefully that project will wrap up in mid to late July.

Because of the vital role of school bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance workers, and para-professionals in the efficient operation of the school system, Mr. Owens recommended that the Board adopt a Resolution designating April 23-27, 2012, as Support Personnel Week.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION

That the Lincoln Parish School Board designate the week of April 23-27, 2012, as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish, and copies of this Resolution be sent to each school in Lincoln Parish and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.

The FRTPL is a state-administered, federal aid grant program funded by the National Recreational Trails Fund Act of 1991 for the purpose of providing and maintaining recreational trails and trails-related facilities. Superintendent Bell requested permission to submit a grant to them to provide a walking trail at Glen View. The paved trail would be approximately 3,650 feet long and 4 feet wide with two branches, three bridges, a water fountain and signage. Eighty-percent of the costs would be covered by the grant with the remaining twenty percent paid through in-kind donations and through the assistance of the City of Ruston. The school system would not be responsible for any of the costs. He noted that the City of Ruston had signed a similar resolution of support on April 2, 2012.

Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the following:

RESOLUTION

That the Lincoln Parish School Board approves the application for grant funds from the FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana (FRTPL), as established by CFDA 20.219.

At the March 6, 2012, meeting, Ms. Null presented two policies that Forethought Consulting had recommended for revision. They were: Employee Insurance (EGA) and Education of Students with Exceptionalities (IDDF). She asked board members to approve the revisions.

Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to the Employee Insurance (EGA) and Education of Students with Exceptionalities (IDDF) policies.

Mr. Anders turned the floor over to Superintendent Danny Bell.

Mr. Bell presented Bob Hammonds, attorney with Hammonds and Sills law firm, who was working with the Board with respect to desegregation.

Mr. Hammonds requested that the Board go into executive session to discuss strategy and/or action regarding the pending litigation, United States of America v. Lincoln Parish School Board, et al, Civil Action number 12,071.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 6:36 p.m.

Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to return to open session at 7:36 p.m.

In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:

1. Tier 3 Financial Disclosure Statements were included in packets. They should be submitted to the State Board of Ethics prior to the May 15, 2012, deadline.

2. Attorneys Andy Shealy and Rob Shadoin have provided assistance regarding the naming of the field house. It does appear that there will be no problem naming it for Coach “Chick” Childress, and special legislation will not be required. Substantial completion will probably be taken care of prior to the official naming, but he will get back with board members at a later time regarding the same.

3. Two tax millage renewals are coming up on April 21, 2012, and he appreciates any support that can be given on that. The administration is currently getting information out to citizens with numerous speaking engagements and pamphlets being distributed. He voiced a special thanks to the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of the renewals and the public school system in general.

4. Choudrant High School has an open house coming up on Sunday, April 15, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00. He invited board members to attend.

Following comments from two board members, and upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

_______________________________ _______________________________

Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President