LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at the New Tech building on the Ruston High School campus at 900 Bearcat Drive, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Eddie Jones (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. George Mack, Jr., and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Trott Hunt was absent.
Prior to the meeting, board members were given a tour of the newly constructed ag shop and New Tech buildings.
President Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Dowling delivered the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed Board members, staff, media, and guests.
Mr. Jones entered the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 4, 2013, as distributed.
Principal of Ruston High School, Mike Milstead, was pleased to welcome everyone to the newly completed facilities. He expressed his appreciation to the voters, the Board, and the administration for providing the same. The New Tech program is moving into its fourth year at RHS with 144 students expressing interest in the 110 slots. They have been selected again to be a National Demonstration Site. Mr. Milstead also thanked the Board for initiating the New Tech program which is proving very successful for the students. In addition, he considers his ag program one of the best if not the best in the state. The FFA group performed admirably in state competition again this year.
Senator Rick Gallot and Representative Rob Shadoin updated administrations and board members on the 2013 legislative session. Each elected official mentioned the committees on which they served and their attempts to get bills on the Governor’s desk. Sen. Gallot said he was able to gather support to change a one-time $1,000 teacher bonus to a permanent $600 raise. Rep. Shadoin was pleased to work out a compromise on HB 160 which delayed the implementation of effective and ineffective categorization of teachers. They agreed that it was a very different climate in the capital this legislative session, and they were able to modify some of the effects or mistakes of the 2012 legislative session.
After brief questions, Superintendent Danny Bell thanked Senator Gallot and Representative Shadoin for their support of Lincoln Parish, contacts of the central office administration and the principals, and asking for input on various issues that arise during the year and especially during the legislative session. He encouraged them to continue to ask for local education leaders’ opinions.
The elementary summer program, supported by Randy Ewing with the Rosemary Ewing Foundation, targeted students entering the 1st grade in the fall at Glen View and Hillcrest who scored just barely below grade level or barely at grade level on their DIBELS assessments. Jana Comstock, Coordinating Teacher, said 100 students qualified to participate in the enrichment program. Fifty-one enrolled, and they had an average attendance of approximately 34. Two books and take home activities were provided to each student. At the end of the program, it was learned that 61% of the students showed gains in phonemic segmentation and 78% improved in nonsense word fluency. Parents being responsible for transportation seemed to be present a hardship. Ms. Comstock communicated that they hoped to be able to expand the program to include the outlying schools and target a larger grade span of students or switch to those entering the 2nd grade in the fall. Providing bus transportation; a two week, seven hour a day program; and drawings for perfect attendance and the largest improvements were possible changes that are being considered. Breakfast for a half-day program and breakfast and lunch for a full-day program were also mentioned.
Danny Bell commended Ms. Comstock, Sherry Boyd, and the excellent teachers that participated in the elementary summer program.
The following personnel items were reported on by Mary Null, Director of Instruction, Personnel, and Special Programs:
1. Retirement of the following:
Donna Aulds, ELA teacher at Dubach School, effective June 14, 2013; and
Pam Willis, IEP facilitator with Special Education, effective November 1, 2013.
2. Resignation of the following:
Greta Otwell, teacher at Hico Elementary, effective June 29, 2013;
Angel Lowe, teacher at Howard School, effective June 24, 2013;
Rachel Wood, itinerant adaptive PE teacher, effective June 25, 2013;
Kala Sims, pre-k teacher at Lincoln Parish Early Education Center, effective May 30, 2013;
Amy Guerin, science teacher at Ruston High, effective June 12, 2013;
David Aguilar, basketball coach/PE teacher at Ruston High, effective June 10, 2013; and
Amber McGee, ELA teacher at Simsboro School, effective June 19, 2013.
3. Employment of the following effective August 12, 2013, unless otherwise noted:
Ann Marie Hancock, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Cathy Bryant who retired;
Candi Perkins, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Jana Davis who resigned;
Joy Thomas, PE/coach at Choudrant High effective July 15, 2013, replacing Adam Ferris who resigned;
Debbie Worley, secretary at Cypress Springs effective August 1, 2013, replacing Angie Croswell who resigned;
Stacy Cole, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Pat Albritton who transferred to the Advanced Learning Academy within the school;
Kimberly Franks, teacher at Dubach School, replacing Greta Otwell who resigned;
Sheri Sandlin, teacher at Dubach School, replacing Claudia Wagner who retired;
Laurie Kaffka, teacher at Dubach School, replacing Martha Hayes who retired;
Karla Smith, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Amanda Johnson who was granted leave without pay;
Emily Smith, teacher at Glen View, replacing Amy Green, who was granted a leave without pay;
Megan Bates, teacher at Glen View, replacing Pam Garbarino who retired;
Haley Perot, teacher at Glen View, replacing Mary Lee who transferred;
Laura Hall, teacher at Glen View, replacing Kelly Walker who passed away;
Lacey Deal, special education teacher at Glen View, replacing Kelly Hodge who transferred to regular education;
Jessica Tolar, secretary/bookkeeper at I. A. Lewis effective August 1, 2013, replacing Nina Boddie who resigned;
Lisa Allen, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Beth Foster who transferred to the Advanced Learning Academy within the school;
Sheila Wheelis, librarian at Ruston Elementary, replacing Arlene Jones who resigned;
Jillian McAlphin, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Holly Broom who resigned;
Kendall Garner, special education teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Kay Darnell who retired;
Renee Laird, special education at Ruston Elementary, replacing Marcia Colvin who retired;
Dr. Byron Miller, in a new academic assistant principal position at Ruston High School effective July 1, 2013;
Amy Hiers, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Matthew Vincent who transferred;
Stacy Albritton, French teacher at Ruston High, replacing Anita Greenwood who retired;
Jason Little, strength and conditioning coach at Ruston High effective July 15, 2013, replacing Pat Hall who resigned;
Scott Hiers, special education teacher at Ruston High, replacing Tara Turner who transferred to transition coordinator;
Laura Beech, ELA at Ruston Junior High, replacing Susan Hilton who retired;
Leigh Nugent, part-time art at Simsboro School, replacing Lauren Dixon who transferred;
Lori Waits, elementary teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Leigh Ann Williams who transferred;
Amanda Cauley, ELA at Simsboro School, replacing Amber McGee who resigned; and
Wayne Antley, in a new PE/coach slot at Simsboro School effective July 15, 2013 because of double-blocked math.
4. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 12, 2013, unless noted otherwise:
Maribeth Sherman, from Glen View to special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Sharon Hisaw who retired;
Kevin Herren, from Dubach School to special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Lisa Price who transferred to Pupil Appraisal;
Courtney Martin, from Ruston High to math teacher at Choudrant High, in a new position because of double-blocked math;
Janet Burse, from Youth Rescue Center to special education teacher at Choudrant High replacing Joel Antley who transferred to regular education;
Mary Lee, from Glen View to special education teacher at Dubach School replacing Jimmie Martin who retired;
Brandi Watson, from Cypress Springs to curriculum strategist at Dubach School effective August 5, 2013, in a new position because of the reconfiguration of DHS and Hico;
Zandria Guidry, from Simsboro School to special education teacher at Dubach School, replacing Kevin Herren who transferred;
Leigh Ann Williams, from Simsboro School to teacher at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Lee Ann Holley who transferred to the Advanced Learning Academy within the school;
Steve Wooley, from Ruston Junior High to football/social studies teacher at I. A. Lewis effective July 15, 2013, replacing Jamie Bolton who transferred;
Heather Roussell, from Ruston Elementary to pre-k at Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center, replacing Kala Sims who resigned; and
Tara Turner, from Ruston High to transition coordinator at Ruston High, replacing Nancy Giesse who retired.
5. Leave without pay effective August 12, 2013, and for the 13-14 school year of the following:
Stefanie Parker, teacher at Choudrant Elementary; and
Amy Green, teacher at Glen View Elementary.
6. Retirement of Pam Moon, field manager at the central office, effective May 24, 2013.
7. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following:
Remona Turner, from Hillcrest to field manager at the central office effective July 15, 2013, replacing Pam Moon who retired;
Regina Gilbert, from Hico Elementary to manager at Dubach School effective August 8, 2013, replacing Tressia Jan Smith who transferred; and
Tressia Jan Smith, from Dubach School to manager at Hillcrest effective August 8, 2013, replacing Remona Turner who transferred.
George Murphy, Business Manager, presented the final sales tax collection report for the 12-13 fiscal year. Collections for the month ending June 30, 2013, were $1,160,308. This was 11.93% higher than the same month last year and a 3.44% increase year-to-date. Recoveries through audits were down 70% for the month and 32% year-to-date. Collections in the 1967 and 1979 fund were $527,413, and $632,894 was collected in the 1993 and 2000 sales tax fund.
In his summary of the May 2013 financial statement, Mr. Murphy said the total fund balance was a little over $39 million. All of the funds had positive balances and were as expected except the sales tax funds which were a little higher.
For the month of April 30, 2013, the self-insured health program was up $141,158, Mr. Murphy reported. Year-to-date the program was up $90,204.
Following a month of study, Mary Null asked members to approve fourteen policy revisions, one deletion and the addition of three new policies.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to: ABCDA - Unexpired Term Fulfillment, AE – School Year, BBBC – Board Member Continuing Education, EGAA – Workers’ Compensation, ID – Curriculum, IDCA - Summer School, IDCC – Kindergarten, IDE – Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities, IDG – Adult Education, JB – Attendance, JDD - Suspension, JGC – Student Health Services, JGCD – Administration of Medication, and JR – Student Records ; the deletion of: JR-R – Student Records ; and the addition of: IH – Academic Achievement, IHG – Credit Recovery, and JBCF – Unsafe School Choice.
One 1991 and three 1992 buses were of no further use to the Lincoln Parish transportation department. James Payton, Transportation Coordinator, requested permission to declare them surplus and to dispose of them through the bid process.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to declare the buses surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process with a minimum bid of $600.00.
Change order #6 decreasing the contract amount by $4,590.42 due to a remaining contingency/hardware allowance on the ag shop and New Tech construction at Ruston High School was presented by Charles Owens. He asked for approval of the same.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to grant approval of change order #6 resulting in a net savings of $4,590.42 on the ag shop and New Tech project at Ruston High School.
It was nearing time to wrap up the New Tech project according to the Architect, Mike Walpole. Charles Owens requested permission to execute Substantial Completion documents. At that point, the building could be occupied and utilized for its intended use.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for the staff to execute a Certificate of Substantial Completion on New Tech (Building B) at Ruston High School provided that the contractor has completed all work according to the contract documents.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. Meeting dates for the next year were included in packets and should be placed on board members’ calendars; and
2. In lieu of an August meeting, the Board will meet at 11:30 a.m. on July 25, 2013, as suggested by Bond Attorney, Grant Schlueter. This change will allow time for the Board to get a bond proposal before the voters in November.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Best.
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Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President