LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. George Mack, Jr., and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Curtis Dowling was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and delivered the invocation. The ladies led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, media, and other guests.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on December 11, 2012, as distributed.
The Election of Officers for 2013 was the next item on the agenda. Mr. Anders turned the floor over to the Secretary, Danny Bell. Mr. Bell declared the floor open for nominations for President for 2013. Ms. Harrison nominated Otha Anders. Hearing no further nominations for president, Mr. Bell asked for a vote. Mr. Anders was unanimously selected as president for 2013.
Danny Bell asked for nominations for vice president for 2013. Mr. Jones nominated Joe Mitcham. Mr. Mitcham nominated Trott Hunt. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Bell asked for a vote. By a 6-3 roll call vote, Mr. Mitcham was selected as vice president for 2013. Voting FOR Mr. Mitcham were: Eddie Jones, George Mack, Debbie Abrahm, Mike Barmore, Trott Hunt, and Lisa Best. Voting FOR Mr. Hunt were: Joe Mitcham, Danny Hancock, and Mattie Harrison. Otha Anders abstained from voting.
Mr. Anders thanked the Board for the vote of confidence and the staff for their efficiency.
Superintendent Bell commended Technology and Instructional Facilitator, Debbie Pender, for being named Leader of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators. He communicated that she is an incredible employee who is a former business teacher at Simsboro High School.
Business Manager, George Murphy, introduced Trevor Haynes, Bond Attorney with Foley & Judell, who was present to discuss Simsboro and Ruston district refunding bonds.
Mr. Haynes said they had been working with Mr. Murphy to see if there were any debt service savings that could be had on the system’s outstanding bond issues. Because of lower interest rates, they believe there are two of them that should be refinanced.
The series 2005 Simsboro District Bonds were the first to be considered. If a 2.3% interest rate could be obtained, the net savings to taxpayers would be approximately $260,000 or $21,000 annually. The issue would not exceed $5,000,000 and 4% interest. Mr. Haynes called attention to a resolution that would permit his company to apply to the State Bond Commission.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding $5,000,000 of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, of Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Savings of almost $312,000 over the life of the bonds or $25,000 annually could possibly be realized by refunding the 2005 Ruston District Bonds based on current interest rates of 2.3%. Mr. Haynes said a second resolution had been prepared.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to give preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding $7,000,000 of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Ms. Henderson entered the meeting.
During the 2013-2014 school year, the State of Louisiana will begin constructing a traffic exchange for Tarbutton Road and Interstate 20 located near Ruston Junior High School. In order to accomplish this, Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, said it would be necessary for the state to acquire small parcels of land owned by the Board which comprise less than an acre in total. They want to purchase two parcels, 2-4 and 3-2, but the system would retain the mineral rights. Two others, 2-4-C-1 and 3-1-C-1, would only be used temporarily as construction servitude areas. Just compensation for the parcels has been determined to be $112,642. Representatives with the City of Ruston, State of Louisiana, and the Board’s legal counsel have been in discussion with central office staff as well as the principal of RJHS. They all believe that the proposal is appropriate. Mr. Owens showed pictures of the parcels of land, and said the work will be done when school is not in session. He recommended the approval of the sale of the land for the purpose of constructing an interchange.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the offer of $112,642 by the City of Ruston for the purchase of parcels 2-4 and 3-2 as well as temporary construction servitude rights for parcels 2-4-C-1 and 3-1-C-1 belonging to the Lincoln Parish School Board for the purpose of constructing an interchange.
Central office administrators have developed a comprehensive schedule outlining how to work toward the state goals Mr. Bell articulated. Pre-kindergarten/Family Involvement Supervisor, Abigail James, Instructional Coach, Sherry Boyd, and Secondary Supervisor, Ricky Edmiston, explained the plan and summarized the goals which were:
1. Students enter kindergarten ready to learn;
2. Students arrive in 4th grade on time and on level;
3. Students arrive in 9th grade on time, on level, and on track to college;
4. Students are on track to college in 11th grade;
5. Students will graduate on time;
6. Graduates will persist through college; and
7. Students will enroll in college or join the workforce.
Mary Null Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs, invited board members to attend the upcoming Staff Development Day beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at the Lincoln Parish library.
In her Personnel Report, Ms. Null verbalized:
1. Point of Reference/Transfer of Lisa Price, moving from Choudrant to ed diagnostician with Pupil Appraisal effective January 14, 2013, replacing Kathy Guice who retired; and
2. Resignation of Ernestine Spearman, bus driver aide in the Ruston area, effective December 1, 2012.
George Murphy called attention to figures on the December 2012 sales tax report and noted that $1,087,871 was collected. This was a 16.77% increase compared to the same month last year, and a .68% increase year-to-date. Recoveries through audits were $30,191 which was down 43% for the month and 31% year-to-date. Collected in the ‘67 and ‘79 fund was $494,487; $593,384 was generated in the ‘93 and ‘00 fund.
Moving on to the health and dental fund, through the month of October 2012 the fund was down $271,797. Year-to-date, the fund was still up $1,333,131 according to Mr. Murphy.
A construction update was the next item on the agenda. Charles Owens narrated pictures of the ag shop and New Tech addition at Ruston High School. He said things are going well, and they are on schedule. Work may be finished within the next sixty (60) days. He has been very pleased with the work of Architect Mike Walpole and Barron Construction, the contractor.
Since the last meeting, members had been studying fourteen revised policies and two new policies for possible addition to the manual. Mary Null recommended that all of them be approved.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions to: Notification of Board Meetings - BCBB, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination - BCBD, Electronic Communication Between Employees and Students - GAMIA, Contracts and Compensation - GBA, Employment of Retired Personnel - GBDA, Alternative Schools Education Program - IDDG, Acceptable Use Policy for School Computer Systems and the Internet - Student Use - IFBGA, Parent Conferences - IHAD, Student Conduct - JCD, Bullying and Hazing - JCDAF, Discipline - JD, Suspension - JDD, Expulsion - JDE, and Child Abuse - JGCE; and the addition of: Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - EBBH, and Service Animals in Schools - IDDFA.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
1. He had received comments from the state superintendent earlier in the day during a meeting in Baton Rouge. He was very supportive and commended the Lincoln Parish School Board and especially teachers at Ruston High School and within the parish who are working to help other teachers with Laying the Foundation, professional development, and training for the new rigor and standards associated with the Common Core Curriculum.
2. Placed in portfolios were invitations to an ACHIEVE Celebration of the Top Gains “A” Schools (Choudrant High School and Ruston High School) on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Squire Creek Country Club. Members must RSVP to Cathi (Cox) Boniol at 255-1430 to let her know if they will be attending and specify their entre preference. Faculties and administration from the two schools will be present for the Celebration.
3. A copy of the annual district brochure had also been placed in portfolios.
4. At the request of Ruston 21, a State of the District Report will be presented on Monday, January 28, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at the Community Room of the Lincoln Parish Library. Board members were invited to attend.
5. An appointment to have a new board picture taken will be scheduled as soon as possible since a new member has been added recently.
With no other business to come before the Board and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Danny Bell, Secretary Otha Anders, President