LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 3, 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, 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 Mr. Hunt 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 visitors.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 5, 2013, as distributed.
In order to canvass returns for the November 16, 2013, tax renewal election and comply with the Louisiana Election Code, George Murphy, Business Manager, presented a resolution stating the vote for each precinct, including absentee votes, so that it would become a part of the official record. The Ruston School District No. 1, Proposition 1, capital improvements, was authorized by 68.20% of the voters. The total votes was as follows: 2,076 FOR and 968 AGAINST. He asked the Board to adopt the resolution canvassing the results of the election.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call 11-0 to approve a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the election held in the Ruston School District No. 1 on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Seven bids were opened in October for additions and renovations to the L. J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, said the lowest bid of $1,046,000 was submitted by Don M. Barron Construction. He recommended acceptance of the same
.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid of $1,046,000 submitted by Don M. Barron Construction for additions and renovations to the L. J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium at Ruston High School.
In addition to canvassing the returns after the bond extension on November 16, 2013, Superintendent Danny Bell said the services of an architect must be secured. Basic services would consist of the following phases: schematic design, design developmental, construction document, bidding, and construction. At 6.92% of the total costs, Mike Walpole offered a lower percentage for the project than the state fee formula of approximately 8.83%. Because of his help with preliminary work, professionalism, and expertise, Mr. Bell recommended that Mr. Walpole be hired for the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to give the Superintendent permission to enter into a contract with Architect Mike Walpole for the completion of the Ruston School District #1 Outlay Project.
As a result of the requirements of the State Fire Marshall and the Health Department, the overall scope of the work at Dubach School changed. The modifications resulted in change order #1 with an increase of $15,398.48. Charles Owens ask for approval of the change order.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #1 for additions and renovations to Dubach School resulting in an increase of $15,398.48.
Board members are required to receive six continuing education hours annually because of Act 705 of the 2010 legislative session. In addition, a press release giving the status of each member must be published in the official journal each year. Mr. Bell asked for permission to publish a press release showing board members’ 2013 training hours; they all exceeded the minimum requisite. He communicated that another educational requirement had been imposed. Revised statute 43:1170 requires elected officials to receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act during each term of office. He said training can be accessed at the Board of Ethics’ website.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to enter board members’ 2013 training certificates into the official minutes of the Board.
In order to provide safe and efficient bus service for the students and to adequately meet the demands of extracurricular activities, it is vital that new buses be purchased on a yearly basis according to James Payton, Transportation Coordinator. He noted that 72% of the 88 buses currently owned by the school system are less than ten years old. Mr. Payton requested permission to advertise for bids to purchase four new conventional and one new special education bus.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids to purchase four new conventional buses and one new special education bus.
The school food service department had been collecting and storing several items that were no longer needed or useful. In the absence of Doris Marzett, SFS Supervisor, Charles Owens asked the Board to declare the items surplus.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to declare the school food service items presented as surplus and grant authority to the administration to dispose of them in a prudent manner.
A camera/security system report was the next item on the agenda. Seth Grigsby, Network Administrator, briefly talked about the security camera systems that had recently been installed at the schools. While most of the schools have had camera systems up and running for some time, he said the devices were generally systems in the principals’ offices with monitors attached for viewing. The school system recently upgraded to actual DVR devices and installed a few new cameras and some high definition cameras. The new devices allow anyone with the security clearance to watch what is being viewed or what was recorded from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. School and central office administrators now have the capability to view the schools from their offices, cell phones, tablets, and their laptop computers. He mentioned some benefits of the new system other than building security including the fact that it would be an encouragement for positive student behavior as well as its ability to help law enforcement in emergency situations. Mr. Grigsby showed board members a basketball game being played at Simsboro High School and also the difference in quality between a regular camera and a high definition camera. He believes the 24 hour recorded surveillance will be very beneficial. In her Personnel Report, Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs communicated the:
1. Employment of:
Leslie Free, as an itinerate English as a Second Language teacher effective December 2, 2013, in a new position due to the number of LEP students;
Amber Deroche, teacher at Cypress Springs effective November 18, 2013, replacing Quaneicia Clay who resigned; and
Chris Arflin, social studies teacher at I. A. Lewis effective November 18, 2013, replacing Michelle Davis who resigned.
November 2013 brought in $1,112,819 in sales taxes which was up 4.69% for the month voiced George Murphy, Business Manager. It brought the year-to-date total to a positive 12.19%. Recoveries through audits for the month were $22,352; that fund was down 11% year-to-date. He told the Board that $505,827 was collected in the ’67 and ’79 sales tax fund, and $606,991 in the ’93 and ’00 fund. He learned at a Sales and Use Tax Commission meeting the day before that some of the sales tax monies were probably temporary in nature and may not continue.
Mr. Murphy called attention to the shaded line on the October 2013 financial statement which showed a healthy fund balance of $34.1 million. The sales tax funds were up as previously reported. The General Fund was doing fine for the time of year. Checks from the sheriff should begin to arrive this month; they will replenish the M&O and ad valorem tax funds.
In his final report, George Murphy said the health care fund was down $143,334 for the month of October 2013. Year-to-date it was up $12,222.
A construction update was the next item on the agenda. Charles Owens showed pictures of the track project at Simsboro. He had good and bad news to report. The good news was the track was coming along well, and they were making great progress considering the bad weather. The bad news was they would not make the December 12 deadline for completion because of the weather.
Paul Riley, Engineer, said they would try to apply the surface on the track which is a last phase. He noted that it is a tough time of year to do that because of the weather and lower temperatures. By the end of December, everything else should be completed.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said that:
1. With the approval of the Ruston School District bond extension, work will soon begin at the schools. The principals and administration met with Architect Mike Walpole yesterday to prepare a schedule of the construction and renovation projects. There will be a need to call Building and Grounds Committee meetings, and one will definitely be scheduled in January.
He was pleased to report the property dispute in Choudrant has been resolved and discussions can be held with the Building and Grounds and Finance Committees regarding moving forward with a track at Choudrant High School.
As Mr. Walpole was in attendance, Mr. Bell asked him to tell the group what would be the first project to be tackled.
Mr. Walpole said he plans to show a graph at the January meeting showing an order of the schools and the amount of money needed at certain points in time. Subject to board approval, he suggested trying to get the turf in and the lights up at Ruston High School before the next football season. In addition, they are about to start work on the toilets and concession stand there. He believes he could get that project going before the end of January 2014. The tentative order discussed with the principals was:
Cypress Springs;
Glen View Elementary;
IA Lewis;
Ruston Elementary;
Hillcrest Elementary;
Ruston Junior High; and
Ruston High School.
They will probably be split into five or six different projects. He plans to share much more information at the January meeting. He verbalized that he offers suggestions after getting guidance from the administration.
2. Cathi Boniol had received the Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service to Science Education Award. He expressed appreciation to her for her engagement in science and advancement of science in the school system.
3. His State of the District Report will be scheduled in January, and the exact date will be disclosed in the next few days. He invited everyone to attend and asked board members to place the date on their calendars.
After brief comments from a few board members and following a motion by Mr. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
_______________________ _________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President