LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

SPECIAL CALLED SESSION

Thursday, July 25, 2013  11:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at 11:30 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. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. Eddie Jones (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. George Mack, Jr. and Mr. Joe Mitcham.

No board member was absent.

President Otha Anders called the meeting to order.  The invocation was given by Mr. Hunt, and Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Mr. Anders welcomed guests.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mike Barmore, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the agenda as printed.

Superintendent Danny Bell noted the first item of business to be considered was the Ruston School District No. 1 Capital Improvements Plan.  He noted that the current plan was approved by the voters on April 17, 2004.  It resulted in an 18.95 millage that was 5.95 mills above the rate at that time, 13.0 mills.  The current millage on those bonds had recently decreased from 11.5 mills to 11.0 mills, a downward trend that has helped the taxpayers in the Ruston School District.  It had been recommended during a recent joint committee meeting to extend the current millage at the rate of 11.0 mills through a bond proposition in order to provide the children of the Ruston School District No. 1 the school facility improvements that would take the public school district well into the future.

Based on a thorough review of needs (several of which were not feasible in the 2004 election), a $20,801,049 Capital Improvements Plan was created.  The proposal of improvements, renovations, and additions to the seven Ruston schools was presented to the Building and Grounds and Finance Committees on June 25, 2013.  At the conclusion of the meeting, the committees asked the administration, Mr. Hunt, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, and Mike Walpole, Architect, to schedule additional meetings with the principals to determine which items could be handled by the school system’s five-year plan and which items would need to be funded through a bond proposal.  Mr. Bell asked Mr. Hunt to make a few comments.  

Ms. Henderson entered the meeting during Mr. Bell’s exposition.

After weeks of meetings with the administration, principals, Trott Hunt, and Mike Walpole, a $20,737,971 revised Capital Improvements Plan was compiled for Ruston School District No. 1.  Mr. Hunt, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, expressed appreciation to those involved for the work they had done.  The monetary breakdown which included general construction costs and a contingency fund for each site was:

            Cypress Springs Elementary                  $ 2,478,446

            Glen View Elementary                            $ 2,483,811

            Hillcrest Elementary                               $ 1,823,656

                         I.A. Lewis                                              $ 2,244,065

                          Ruston Elementary                                $ 1,350,297

                          Ruston High                                          $ 5,882,879

                          Ruston Junior High                                $ 4,474,816

He said a large portion of the recommended work included additional classrooms at the elementary level because of increased numbers and getting rid of some portable buildings.  In other cases, it was to implement new mandated programs for special needs students, gifted and talented, etc.  At the junior high and high schools, items being addressed were new programs, locker room upgrades, and again some additional capacity needs.  He felt that an important element of the plan was security features with more cameras, monitors, door locking, and automatic approved entry.  In addition some regular maintenance items such as roofs, HVAC improvements, and tile repair were included that would have been addressed over time with the regular capital program, but it was felt that this opportunity should be utilized.  The plan was well warranted in his opinion. He communicated that even with this program, the millages would still be below the 2004 millage rates.  Mr. Hunt again noted that the recommendation was not an increase in millages but only an extension.  He closed by saying he believes the Capital Improvements Plan is reasonable, and that it should be noted that the school system is not requesting the maximum issue the market can support, $29,000,000. 

Mr. Walpole said Mr. Bell and Mr. Hunt had hit all of the high points.  He distributed handouts of the revised Capital Improvements Plan which had been fine-tuned since the last meeting and summarized by Mr. Hunt.

 It’s a wonderful thing, and Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, said he was very grateful for the improvement plan which allows him to be able to maintain the facilities.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Ruston District No. 1 Capital Improvements Plan as presented.

George Murphy, Business Manager, summarized two proposed resolutions; the first officially approving the Capital Improvements Plan and the second calling for an election for capital improvements that would be paid out over twenty years.  This would extend the current existing 11.0 millage in the Ruston district for an additional ten (10) years with no increase.  

Bond Attorney, Grant Schlueter, said the election would be held on November 16, 2013.  The proposition incorporated by reference the Capital Improvements Plan just approved so the voters would know exactly how the money was to be spent.  There was no projected increase in the millage rate above the 11 mills currently being levied for all of the outstanding bonds in Ruston School District No. 1.

Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the following: 

RESOLUTION

A resolution approving the "CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN," designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issue will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.

            Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION

A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

President Anders said thanks to all involved in bringing the matter to the Board; however, he reminded everyone there is much work to be done before the November 16 election.

Mr. Jones entered the meeting.

Superintendent Bell also expressed his appreciation to the Board for their support of the plan and approval of the resolutions, to Grant Schlueter for informing the administration of the opportunity to be had, and for Trott Hutt and others who have spent many hours with school administrators prioritizing need and wants.  He said explanations need to be shared and communicated clearly with the public as to what this will mean for the children and the schools within Ruston School District No. 1.  It is a great opportunity!  An environment conducive to learning is critical.  Having facilities in place that will meet the needs of the changing school system and the many new programs is a must he opined.  Mr. Bell voiced that the Board’s actions speak volumes of the vision of the district and the fact that Board members step up to support resolutions that will greatly benefit the children of the community.  More parents will come and want to be a part he predicted.

Mr. Bell also said that:

1.       A board meeting WILL be held on August 6, 2013, as originally scheduled.  He asked members to place that on their calendars.

2.       Prior to that meeting on August 6, at 5:45 p.m. a plaque dedication ceremony will be held in memory and recognition of George Mack, Sr., who served as a board member for almost 40 years.  He invited everyone to attend.  

There being no further business to come before the Board and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.

____________________________                                               _____________________________

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