LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 4, 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 Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Eddie Jones, and Mr. George Mack, Jr. were absent.
Prior to the meeting, 2012-2013 retirees of the Lincoln Parish School System were honored with a reception in the lobby of the school board office. The 38 retirees were also presented with small gifts and certificates of appreciation for a total of 834 years of faithful and dedicated service to the parish. Retirees were as follows:
NAME LOCATION YRS. IN LINCOLN TOTAL YRS
Vicky Key Hico Elementary (Principal) 27 36
Dr. Larry Lewis Ruston High (Asst Principal) 6 25.5
Alisa Antley Ruston Jr. High (Teacher) 34 34
Steve Baker Choudrant High (Teacher) 34 34
Deborah Davis Brann Itinerant (Special Services Coordinator) 29 37
Catherine Bryant Choudrant Elementary (Teacher) 21 42
D. Larry Carmichael Itinerant (Adaptive PE) 21 42
Yolanda Dade Cypress Springs (Teacher) 21 22
Dianne Ebeyer Dubach High (Teacher) 22.5 34.5
Sylvia Evans Glen View (Teacher) 25 34
Pam Garbarino Glen View (Teacher) 26 35
Nancy Giesse Ruston High (Teacher) 23.5 39
Kathy Guice Pupil Appraisal (Ed Diagnostician) 28.5 30.5
Debra Hathorn Simsboro Elem. (Teacher) 9 33
Martha Hayes Hico Elementary (Teacher) 23 33
Susan Hilton Ruston Jr. High (Teacher) 24 33
Sharon Hisaw Choudrant Elementary (Teacher) 10 35
Cathy Holmes Grambling Middle (Teacher) 19.5 34.5
Shirley Lewis Grambling Middle (Curriculum Coord) 20 37
Rosie Marks Grambling High (Teacher) 36 36
Jimmie Martin Dubach High (Teacher) 12 14
Ann McKenney Ruston High (Teacher) 19 26
Deloris Owens GED Program (Facilitator) 14.5 14.5
Julie Post Hico Elementary (Coord Teacher) 28.5 36.5
Sharon St. Andre Ruston High (Teacher) 17 31.5
James Sandifer Ruston High (Teacher) 16 17
Bonnie Singleton Ruston Elementary (Teacher) 32 40
Kay Huffman Sutton Hillcrest Elementary (Coord Teacher) 28 28
Betty Tippitt AJB (Teacher) 28 28
Barbara Pitre Ruston High (Secretary) 13 13
Jennifer Thompson Choudrant Elem (Secretary/Bookkeeper) 32 32
Robbie Griffin Choudrant area (Bus Driver) 16 16
Frederick Johnson Choudrant area (Bus Driver) 20 20
Epsey Samuel Ruston area (Bus Driver) 21 21
Sam Squyres Simsboro area (Bus Driver) 23 23
Shirley Holyfield Hillcrest Elem (Custodian) 16 16
Doris Roberson Cypress Springs (Custodian) 12 12
Pam Moon Central Office (Field Manager) 30 30
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Barmore gave the invocation. Ms. Abrahm led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag followed by Mr. Anders’ welcome to board members, staff, media, agenda participants, and other visitors.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended deleting one item, Presentation of Retirees for 12-13, as that was done prior to the start of the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 7, 2013, as distributed.
Three qualified bids received in response to the ad for the construction of the Simsboro High School track and facility were opened on May 30, 2013. Superintendent Danny Bell said Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc., was determined as the low bidder when including the base bid along with three alternates for the total bid. The total bid by Triad was $1,265,127. The breakdown of the bid was as follows: $938,645 base, $233,398 alternate #1 for the concession and restroom building, $44,084 alternate #2 for the bleachers, $49,000 alternate #3 for a storage facility. He noted that all three additive alternates were greatly needed and were requested by the SHS administration for consideration in awarding approval of the bid. Since the total was $300,000 to $350,000 higher than originally planned, Mr. Bell asked Paul Riley with the Riley Company to explain.
Paul Riley said the base bid would have been within the budgeted amount, but they underestimated the cost of the electrical within the lighting. Fixtures had to be replaced and rewired on the poles that were purchased from Louisiana Tech. They had anticipated anything not in the base bid being over the budgeted amount.
Mr. Bell asked the Board to approve the additional funding in order to make the entire project possible and contract with Triad including the three alternates.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to accept the base bid along with additive alternates #1, #2, and #3 submitted by Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc., and approve this construction company as the low bidder and contractor for the Simsboro High School track project.
Bid opening was held on May 9, 2013, for the purchase of the following items for the 13-14 school year: duplicating paper, toilet tissue, paper towels, dust mop rentals, gasoline, and diesel. Charles Owens recommended that the Board accept the lowest bids meeting specifications.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 13-14 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid
Unisource 1760 Cases of Copy Paper
Price Per Unit: $24.21
Total for 1760 Cases: $42,609.60
Unisource 400 Cases of Toilet Tissue
Price Per Case: $28.40
Total for 400 Cases: $11,360.00
Unisource 800 Cases of Paper Towels
Price Per Case: $13.12
Total for 800 Cases: $10,496.00
Hill Oil Company Gasoline & Diesel
Unleaded Regular Cost + .0985 gallon
Unleaded Plus Cost + .0985 gallon
Unleaded Premium Cost + .0985 gallon
Road-Use Diesel Cost + .1025 gallon
Off-Road Diesel Cost + .1225 gallon
KAPS Textile Services Dust Mop Rentals
18 inch .40 each weekly
36 inch .69 each weekly
48 inch .79 each weekly
According to Mr. Bell, two qualified applicants were interviewed on May 28, 2013, for the principal position at Ruston High School. The second-round Interview Committee consisted of the same members as the first-round: Mary Null, Chairman, Lisa Bastion, Judy Mabry, Mike Milstead, Charles Owens, and Willie Washington. They unanimously decided and Mr. Bell concurred that neither of those interviewed be recommended to the Board for the position. Instead he proposed that Mike Milstead remain at Ruston High School. He plans to advertise again in the spring of 2014. In the meantime, Mr. Bell did communicate that a Ruston High graduate who is an assistant principal in Texas had expressed interest in the position. Unfortunately he received Louisiana certification after the deadline to apply. There is a strong possibility that he will work with Mr. Milstead as an Assistant Principal for Academics this year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to reject all applicants for the principal position at Ruston High School.
Fourteen more policy revisions had been proposed by Forethought Consulting along with three additions and one deletion. Proposed policy changes were: Unexpired Term Fulfillment (ABCDA); School Year (AE); Board Member Continuing Education (BBBC), Workers’ Compensation (EGAA), Curriculum (ID), Summer School (IDCA), Kindergarten (IDCC), Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities (IDE), Adult Education (IDG), Attendance (JB), Suspension (JDD), Student Health Services (JGC), Administration of Medication (JGCD), and Student Records (JR); addition of: Academic Achievement (IH), Credit Recovery (IHG), and Unsafe School Choice (JBCF); and the deletion of Student Records (JR-R). Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs, asked members to study the revisions with formal action to be taken at the July 2, 2013, meeting.
Each year the governmental agencies which compose the Sales and Use Tax Commission must consider the Commission’s proposed budget. Mr. Mitcham presented the 13-14 proposed $369,973 budget for examination. He called attention to a decrease of $23,052 from the previous year which was a result of the Commission also collecting sales taxes for Union Parish. He reiterated that Jerry Moore and his staff do a good job and run an efficient operation.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 13-14 Sales and Use Tax Commission’s budget.
Sales tax collections have increased 2.40% during the fiscal year through April; however, collections this year are expected to be down close to $2,000,000 compared to four years ago. This decline in collections will require the use of reserves to fund the salary supplement checks to the level of the previous year, announced George Murphy, Business Manager. A reserve has been accumulated for the purpose of maintaining the supplement amounts paid to employees in years where tax collections are less than previous years. Although he recommended that the June salary supplement checks remain the same as last year, $5,025 to certified and $2,513 to support employees, he said in future years a reduction in the amounts may be necessary if a sustained period of shortage in sales tax collections occurs. He requested the Board’s approval of the payment amounts.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of salary supplement checks on June 26, 2013, in the amounts of $5,025 for certified staff and $2,513 for support staff.
In accordance with state law, a solicitation for proposals was sent to the two newspapers in Lincoln Parish in order to name an official journal for the upcoming year communicated President Anders. One proposal from the Ruston Daily Leader was received. Mr. Murphy stated they offered $3.75 per legal square with a $ .50 discount per square if submitted by disk or e-mail. Mr. Anders asked the Board’s preference.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to name the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 13-14.
With the closing of Hico Elementary and the completion of the ag shop and New Tech facilities at Ruston High, several portable buildings, air condition window units and various furniture items and equipment will no longer be of use by the Lincoln Parish School Board. Charles Owens said in addition to those items, he was also asking permission to declare as surplus several kitchen items and three vehicles.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to declare as surplus and dispose of the above-mentioned items in accordance with board policy and state bid law.
The time had arrived to adopt millages for 2013. The General Obligation Bond millages for the Ruston District were reduced from 11.5 to 11.0 mills, and the Simsboro District’s were reduced from 8.50 to 7.75 mills. All other millages remained the same as last year. He asked the Board to adopt a Resolution, which he read in full, to levy the millages.
President Anders announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing and for public comments regarding tax millages for 2013. Hearing no comments or questions, he asked for the Board’s pleasure regarding the matter.
Following a question from a board member, upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the resolution to levy millages for 2013 as follows:
Resolution
Constitutional Tax (La. Const. Art. VII, Sect. 13) 4.23 mills
Special Maintenance & Operation 4.94 mills
Special Repair & Equipment 4.94 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 10.24 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 8.48 mills
Ruston School District#1 2.53 mills
Simsboro School District #3 2.99 mills
Dubach School District#5 3.25 mills
Choudrant School District#6 3.00 mills
General Obligation Bonds Ruston SD #1 11.00 mills
General Obligation Bonds Simsboro SD #3 7.75 mills
General Obligation Bonds Choudrant SD #6 20.00 mills
Voting by roll call FOR the above motion: Debbie Abrahm, Otha Anders, Michael Barmore, Lisa Best, Danny Hancock, Mattie Harrison Lynda Henderson, Trott Hunt, and Joe Mitcham.
Voting AGAINST the motion: None.
Absent and not voting: Curtis Dowling, Eddie Jones, and George Mack, Jr.
This is the time of year to begin looking at revisions to the capital outlay plan. Danny Bell briefly mentioned some possible items to include on each school’s list but noted that the Building and Grounds and Finance Committees will probably need to meet later in the month to scrutinize the lists and make decisions regarding what to bring to the attention of the full Board.
In his construction update, Charles Owens showed pictures of the final work being done on the New Tech building at Ruston High School. Substantial completion documents should be submitted within the next 2 to 3 weeks. The building should definitely be ready for the start of school in the fall.
Superintendent Bell reminded board members that the Regular Session scheduled for July 2, 2013, will be held in the New Tech building at Ruston High School. It will be preceded by a tour of the same and the new ag shop beginning at 5:00. In addition, the Building and Grounds and Finance Committees will have a joint meeting at 5:30 on that evening.
Recently released test scores from the spring of 2013 showed Lincoln Parish the only North Louisiana district with an increase in 8th grade scores. They are 7% above the state average. Four-fifths of pupils in high-stakes 4th and 8th grades met standards for promotion this year. Fourth grade’s 79% represents a 2% decrease, and 8th grade’s 81% showed a 2% increase over last year. Donna Doss, Testing/Accountability Coordinator communicated that 4th grade is a challenging year and is probably the most stressful testing grade. She could feel the frustration of the school test coordinators this year and is amazed the school system had any increases. Possible reasons for that were movement in the Ruston district, changes in the tests with some ungraded items being added, and the tests taking longer. Eighty-eight 4th graders and 80 8th graders were eligible for summer school and retesting at the end of the month. Summer School administrators and teachers were attempting to locate all of those students so they can participate in the summer program.
In her Personnel Report, Mary Null shared the following:
1. Retirement of the following effective May 25, 2013, unless noted otherwise:
Catherine Bryant, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Sharon Hisaw, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Jennifer Thompson, secretary/bookkeeper at Choudrant Elementary, effective June 6, 2013; and
Dianne Ebeyer, English teacher at Dubach High.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 25, 2013, unless otherwise noted:
Jana Davis, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Adam Farris, social studies/PE teacher at Choudrant High;
Wendy Hall, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Angie Croswell, secretary/bookkeeper at Cypress Springs, effective June 6, 2013;
Stephanie Payne, Pupil Appraisal Coordinator, effective June 30, 2013;
Emile Frey, math teacher at Ruston High; and
Patrick Hall, strength/conditioning coach at Ruston High, effective June 21, 2013.
3. Employment of the following effective August 12, 2013:
Robin Ewers, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Heather Pearson who resigned;
Lisa Nelson, speech therapist at Glen View, replacing Donna Thomas who is moving to reading coach;
Crystal Almond, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Chris Taylor who resigned;
Matthew Moore, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Kelsey Whitlock who resigned;
Jermaine Morris, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Terry Antee who transferred;
Alisha Eppinette, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Katherine Walker who transferred; and
Cassie Maxwell, math teacher at Simsboro High, due to double-blocked math.
4. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 12, 2013, unless otherwise noted:
Deon Caldwell, from Ruston Elementary to secretary/bookkeeper at Choudrant Elementary effective August 1, 2013, replacing Jennifer Thompson who retired;
Michelle McDowell, from Dubach High to Spanish teacher Choudrant High replacing Amber O’Neal who resigned;
Nicky Weaver, from Simsboro High to social studies teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Glenda Howard who resigned;
Terry Antee, from Ruston High to math teacher at Dubach School, replacing Brenda Lofton who transferred;
Matthew Vincent, from Ruston High to math teacher at Dubach School, replacing Clint Ebey who transferred;
Kelly Caldwell, from Hico Elementary to physical education teacher at Dubach School, because Hico is closing;
Tanya Carney, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Kevin Herren, from Hico Elementary to special education teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Mary “Meg” Johnson, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Deborah Joyner, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Halie Martin, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Jason Parkman, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Jackie Risk, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Rosie Tubbs, from Hico Elementary to teacher at Dubach School because Hico is closing;
Pam Pruden, from Ruston High to coordinator/assistant principal at Dubach School effective August 5, 2013, replacing Julie Post who retired;
Teresa Washam, from Hico Elementary to paraprofessional at Dubach School effective August 15, 2013, because Hico is closing;
Sandra Jennings, from Hico Elementary to paraprofessional at Dubach School effective August 15, 2013, because Hico is closing;
Kayla Martin, from Hico Elementary to paraprofessional at Dubach School effective August 15, 2013, because Hico is closing;
Christine Gatlin, from librarian at Hillcrest Elementary to coordinating teacher at Hillcrest effective August 5, 2013, replacing Kay Huffman Sutton who retired;
Rebecca Stutzman, from social worker to Pupil Appraisal Coordinator effective July 1, 2013, replacing Stephanie Payne who resigned;
Natasha Ellis, from Hico Elementary to secretary/bookkeeper at Ruston Elementary effective August 1, 2013, replacing Deon Caldwell who transferred;
Ricky Burton, Jr., from Dubach High to special education teacher at Ruston High, because of numbers and the reconfiguration of grade levels at Dubach;
Stacy Campbell, from I. A. Lewis to science teacher at Ruston High, replacing Emile Frey who resigned;
Steven Erhard, from Simsboro High to social studies teacher at Ruston High, replacing Britton Kilpatrick and Kyle Falting who transferred to math strategists;
Stacy Findley, from Dubach High to assistant principal at Ruston High effective July 1, 2013, replacing Larry Lewis who retired;
Amy Guerin, from Ruston Junior High to science teacher at Ruston High, replacing Pam Pruden who transferred;
Stephanie Green, from Dubach High to science teacher at Ruston High because of the reconfiguration of grade levels at Dubach;
Brenda Lofton, from Dubach High to math teacher at Ruston High because of the reconfiguration of grade levels at Dubach;
Katherine Walker, from Ruston Junior High, to ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Ann McKinney who retired;
Susan Williams, from Dubach High to science teacher at Ruston High because of the reconfiguration of grade levels at Dubach;
Chad Towns, from Dubach High to agriculture teacher at Ruston Junior High effective July 1, 2013, in a starter program;
Clint Ebey, from Dubach High to math teacher at Ruston Junior High because of the reconfiguration of grade levels at Dubach;
Jamie Bolton, from I. A. Lewis to social studies teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Nicky Weaver who transferred;
Harold Carlisle, from Ruston Junior High to truancy with the DA office/YRC because of numbers; and
Rachel Gay, from Ruston Junior High to GED/expulsion liaison at YRC because of student numbers.
5. Leave without pay request from Ashley Cripps, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective August 12, 2013, and for the 13-14 school year.
6. Employment of the following effective August 15, 2013:
Dana Lewis, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Epsy Samuel who retired;
James McNeal, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Diane Richard who resigned;
Rachael Nelson, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Lavell Thurman who resigned; and
Brandon Umeri, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Sam Squyres who retired.
7. Resignation of Eric Atkins, custodian at Glen View, effective May 16, 2013.
8. Resignation of Barbara Tanner, school food service technician at Cypress Springs, effective May 23, 2013.
A sales tax report for the month ending May 2013 was presented by George Murphy. Accumulations were $1,107,759 which were up 5.91% compared to the same month last year and 2.70% year-to-date. Recoveries through audits were $61,103. That fund was still down over 31% year-to-date. Collections in the 1967 and the 1979 sales tax fund were $503,527, and $604,231 went into the 1993 and 2000 fund.
He also delivered an April 2013 financial update. Mr. Murphy called attention to the sales tax funds and ad valorem tax funds from which the salary supplements will be paid. The general fund was doing fine. The year-to-date total fund balance was $41,470,000.
In his health plan update for April 2013, George Murphy said it was a good month. The fund was up $335,583 for the month and $210,237 year-to-date.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell noted that:
1. He appreciates Donna Doss and her work with data. We are seeing some very good results. In the near future, the administration is going to be able to recognize some schools that achieved exemplary performance and stand out. The district continues to work with the network team. Mr. Bell assured board members that principals know how important accountability is, and he is very pleased with the progress being made.
2. Several dynamic individuals have done some training and will be working with teachers in elementary grades through high school. Kyle Falting and Britton Kilpatrick will be working with math and Julie Stephenson will be working with ELA/literacy. They will demonstrate how to better instruct and increase rigor in an effort to ensure Lincoln Parish teachers are prepared for the changes that are coming. Focus will be on teaching and learning.
3. Another form requesting information for the auditors was included in packets. He asked members to complete it and give it to Becky Gemelli by the close of the meeting.
After comments from two board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President