LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 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 Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones, Mr. George Mack, Jr. and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Ms. Debbie Abrahm was absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Mr. Mack. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, and visitors to the meeting.
Mr. Anders asked if there were any comments or questions before the Board considered the agenda. Hearing none, upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda with the deletion of one item of Unfinished Business: Bids on additions and renovations to L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium at Ruston High School. Mr. Anders again asked if there were any comments or questions.
There were none.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March12, 2013, as distributed.
Engineers were present from The Riley Company of Louisiana according to Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services. One of them, Paul Riley, said they had been working with the administration on an eight-lane polyurethane track project at Simsboro, and plans were substantially complete. Slides of the proposed track, restroom/concession area, and metal storage building were shown. He noted the entire facility would be lighted and surrounded by a 6’ fence. In answer to a question, Mr. Riley said the approximate cost of the following are:
Base project track $800,000;
Alternate 1 concession/restroom area $170,000;
Alternate 2 bleachers $40,000; and
Alternate 3 metal storage $40,000.
The base bid would also include dirt work, drainage and handicapped parking. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, recommended that the Board grant permission to bid the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for an eight-lane polyurethane track at Simsboro High School.
Because of the transfer of Mike Milstead, Principal of Ruston High School, Superintendent Danny Bell shared his plan to open the application process for his replacement on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. The application period would close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013, with interviews to be scheduled shortly thereafter. A recommendation to fill the position would then be made at the May 7, 2013, board meeting. He noted that the process would be implemented in accordance with the court order pertaining to the selection of administrative personnel.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the timeline to advertise and interview for the principal of Ruston High School as explained above.
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 22-26, 2013, as Support Personnel Week.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
That the Lincoln Parish School Board designate the week of April 22-26, 2013, 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 following personnel items were reported by Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs:
1. Retirement of the following effective May 25, 2013, unless otherwise noted:
Steve Baker, agriculture teacher at Choudrant High, effective July 1, 2013;
Jimmie Martin, special education teacher at Dubach High;
Vicky Key, principal at Hico Elementary, effective July 1, 2013;
Julie Post, coordinating teacher at Hico Elementary, effective June 1, 2013;
Kay Huffman Sutton, coordinating teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective June 1, 2013;
Bonnie Singleton, special education teacher at Ruston Elementary;
Nancy Giesse, special education teacher at Ruston High, effective June 8, 2013;
Dr. Larry Lewis, assistant principal at Ruston High, effective June 22, 2013;
Ann McKenney, librarian at Ruston High;
Barbara Pitre, secretary at Ruston High, effective June 7, 2013; and
Debra Hathorn, elementary teacher at Simsboro.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 25, 2013, unless noted otherwise:
Glenda Howard, English teacher at Choudrant High;
Veronica Williams, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Claudia Wagner, teacher at Hico Elementary;
Christopher Taylor, math/coach at Ruston High, effective April 1, 2013; and
Sarah Wages, science teacher at Ruston High.
3. Points of Reference/Transfer of the following effective July 1, 2013, unless otherwise noted:
Mike Milstead, principal at Ruston High, to chief academic officer at the Central Office;
Shavonne Price, principal at Ruston Elementary, to principal at I. A. Lewis;
Sonja Walker Fuller, principal at I. A. Lewis, to principal at Ruston Elementary; and
Melanie Lewis, teacher at I. A. Lewis, to instructional facilitator at I. A. Lewis, effective August 13, 2013.
4. Leave without pay request for the 2013-14 school year effective August 16, 2013, from:
Amanda Johnson, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary; and
Bobbi Conner, English teacher at I. A. Lewis.
March 2013 sales tax collections totaled $975,943 reported Business Manager, George Murphy. That was slightly less than a 1% decrease compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date the fund was up 1.87%. Audit recoveries were $11,240 for the month which was up 83% compared to the same month last year and down a little over 24% year-to-date. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 funds were $443,611, and $532,332 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 funds.
Mr. Murphy said the Total Fund Balance on the financial statement for the month ending February 2013 was $42,444,000. The general fund was as expected for this time of year. The sales tax funds were slightly higher than anticipated, and the ad valorem tax funds were right about where they were presumed to be. He had nothing unforeseen or unusual to report.
The health/dental plan was up $136,786 for the month ending February 2013 and $232,568 year-to-date according to George Murphy.
In his construction update, Charles Owens narrated pictures of the New Tech construction at Ruston High School. They are making rapid progress.
Doris Marzett, Supervisor of School Food Service, presented her annual request for permission to advertise and accept bids in order to purchase food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment for the 13-14 school year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids and accept the lowest bids meeting specifications on all purchases of food, paper and kitchen supplies, and equipment that meet specifications for the 13-14 school year.
The Board was reminded by George Murphy that each year schools are allocated monies 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 total amount was slightly higher than last year because of an increase in students. The $80,607.25 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. Jones, seconded by Mr. Dowling, 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 $80,607.25.
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 13-14.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. Next week will begin another big week of testing for the students in the district.
2. A high school graduation schedule will be provided at the next board meeting.
3. A publication, The Partnership Post, containing the Adopt-School alliances was placed in portfolios. He expressed his appreciation to the business partners in the Ruston School District and in particular the Adopt-A-School businesses that work hand-in-hand to support various programs that go on in the schools.
4. Tier 3 Financial Disclosure Statements were included in packets. They should be submitted to the State Board of Ethics prior to the May 15, 2013, deadline.
Following comments from one board member, and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President