LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 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. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Eddie Jones was absent.
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Hunt gave the invocation. Ms. Harrison led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag followed by Mr. Anders’ welcome to board members, staff, media, honored retirees, agenda participants, and other visitors.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 6, 2014, as distributed.
At this point in the meeting, the 32 retirees honored with an earlier reception were presented with certificates of appreciation for a total of 623 years of faithful and dedicated service to the parish. Retirees were as follows:
NAME LOCATION YRS IN LINCOLN TOTAL YRS
Charles Owens Central Office (Director) 42 29
David Rogers Youth Rescue Center (Administrator) 27 27
Kathy Shipp Special Education (Supervisor) 26 40
Pam Willis Special Education (IEP/ESY Facilitator) 34 34
Patsy Albritton Cypress Springs (Teacher) 18 39
Janet Allen Cypress Springs (Teacher) 14 14
Harold Carlisle Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 10 18.5
Tanya Carney Dubach School (Teacher) 13 33
Yolanda Daniel Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 12 36
Angela Dison Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 16 24
Sally Grigsby Cypress Springs (Teacher) 17 17
Dianne Helferich Pupil Appraisal (Ed Diagnostician) 16 29
Theodis Johnson Dubach School (Teacher) 12 30
Pam Kelley Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 11.5 30
Billy Laird Ruston High School (Athletic Director) 10 38
Shelli Quayhagen Ruston Junior High (Teacher) 5 33
Kathleen Miller Hillcrest Elementary (Speech Therapist) 21 21
Cynthia McMurry Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 29.5 29.5
Charles Meeds Ruston High School (Teacher) 7 35
Delaine Moseley Choudrant High School (Teacher) 13 35
Kathy Sims Cypress Springs (Curriculum Strategist) 25 25
Kathy Steed Ruston Junior High (Teacher/Coach) 18 31
Vernesta Adams Cypress Springs (Teacher’s Aide) 16 29
Anna Coleman Special Education (Secretary) 36 36
Deborah Lary Hillcrest Elementary (Paraprofessional) 26 26
Andy Gibson Choudrant District (Bus Driver) 20 20
Eric Goree Ruston Junior High (Custodian) 33 33
Betty Jenkins I. A. Lewis (Custodian) 16 16
Steve Watts Bus Barn (Mechanic) 10 10
Paulette Davis Choudrant High (Food Service) 30 30
Margie Pike Choudrant High (Food Service) 16 16
Julia Norman Glen View Elementary (Food Service) 14 14
Patsy Slack Ruston High (Food Service) 22 22
Mr. Anders thanked the retirees for their years of service to and for the children, offered congratulations on their retirement, and wished them well.
Three buses were of no further use to the transportation department. James Payton, Transportation Coordinator, wanted the board to declare the following as surplus and allow him to dispose of them with minimum bids:
1991 International/Wayne 65 passenger Minimum Bid: $ 750.00
1995 International/Carpenter 60 passenger Minimum Bid: $1,500.00
2001 Blue Bird 32 passenger Minimum Bid: $2,500.00
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to declare the above-mentioned buses as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process with a minimum bid as shown.
President Anders noted that the Finance Committee met at 5:15 p.m. prior to the board meeting. He called on George Murphy, Business Manager, to report on that meeting.
Mr. Murphy said the Finance Committee voted to recommend to the full Board the administration’s proposed compensation plan change for certificated personnel. Because a large number of those employees received higher-than-anticipated evaluation ratings, the 2012 pay plan had to be revamped. The salary study committee, comprised of Mary Null, Chair, Paula Pardue, Kathy Pool, and George Murphy, presented a plan to Superintendent Danny Bell. The proposed plan for teachers, administrators and other certificated personnel had two portions, one for Value Added Model (VAM) teachers and one for Student Learning Target (SLT) teachers. Superintendent Bell tweaked the plan, and it was shared with each board member on the Finance Committee. They revised it, and the result was the compensation plan being brought for the Board’s consideration. The administration feels the compensation plan is sustainable and is pleased that instead of the freeze on base pay at twenty-five years, those employees would continue to receive base raises if they are successful and receive high enough ratings on their evaluations.
Ms. Henderson shared the Finance Committee’s recommendation in the form of a motion to approve the revised model of the Lincoln Parish Compensation Plan/Teacher Salary Schedule to become effective for the 2014-15 school year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hunt and passed by a unanimous vote.
An overview of the Choudrant High School track project was shared by Paul Riley, Engineer with the Riley Company. He narrated pictures of the site, track, and concession/bathroom/storage building. Although much more dirt work will be required, the eight-lane track will be very similar to Simsboro’s track. He does plan to ask for an additive alternate to the base bid to stone the parking lot, install lights in the parking area, and build a chain link fence on the west side of the school’s property. He doesn’t believe the track will be ready for the next track season, and he said the absolute earliest it could be bid would be the August board meeting. If that is the Board’s desires, he opined that small changes and change orders would be forthcoming. It was the consensus of opinion that Mr. Riley should work with the school and go with their preference on scheduling.
Testing/Accountability Coordinator, Donna Doss, provided background information about the spring of 2014 iLEAP and LEAP tests in order to have a better understanding of the scores. They were part of the transition process that began with the thinking process in 2010 and the actual implementation of Common Core with students taking modified tests last year that were partially aligned to the new standards. This year students took the first tests that were fully aligned to the new standards, and next year students in Louisiana will take a totally different PARCC test that will be the same English/Language Arts and math assessments administered in the other states that decided to join the Common Core and Partnership for Assessment and Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Initiative. This will be another first, she said. She summarized changes in the English/Language Arts and math portions of the tests.
In 4th grade, Lincoln Parish tested 356 students in 2014, and 263 or 74% met BESE’s promotional standards of Basic Basic. In 2013, 401 4th graders were tested with 80% or 319 meeting promotional standards. There was a slight decline in 2014. In 2014, 396 8th graders were tested, and 321 met promotional standards or 81%. In 2013, 396 students were tested and 82% or 326 met the promotional standards. The administration was thrilled to only see a 1% drop at the 8th grade level. Overall the state remained at a 69% average.
The state superintendent’s goal is to continue to increase standards for testing in Louisiana until all students reach the Mastery level, the next level up from Basic, by 2025 according to Ms. Doss. In 2013, 23% of Lincoln Parish students in grades 3 through 8 scored Mastery or above. In 2014, 22% scored the same. That was also a 1% decline; however, the parish’s ranking dropped by 11 percentile. Scoring Basic or above in 2014 in Lincoln Parish were 67% of students in grades 3 through 8. In 2013, the percentage was 70 which was again a drop of 3%. She expected scores to drop and closed by saying it was a tough year.
LEAP and iLEAP remediation summer school began on May 28 at Ruston Junior High explained Sherry Boyd, Instructional Coach. It consists of 16 instructional days that will be completed on June 23 followed by 3 days of retesting. They attend school on Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Out of 117 4th graders that were eligible to attend, about 81 or 69% are attending. They are strongly encouraging the 24 repeaters to attend; however, only 7 have attended so far. In 8th grade, 60 students or 77% are attending summer school out of the 78 who are eligible. All 3 of the 8th grade repeaters are attending. Calls have already been made to parents of eligible students, and follow-up calls are being made each day. Teachers hired for 4th grade were: 3 math, 3 ELA, 1 special ed and 1 special ed para. Teachers hired for 8th grade were: 2 math, 2 ELA, and 2 special ed. Transportation is also being provided, and Doris Lewis has coordinated rosters and services.
The Ewing Foundation Summer Literacy Day Camp is being held at Glen View Elementary. Sherry Boyd said their target is 1st and 2nd graders in the parish who tested Strategic in reading which was just below where they should be. They are working with literacy and writing all day. That program began on June 2, runs Monday through Thursday from 8:00 – 2:00, and concludes on June 26. Funding is provided by the Rosemary Ewing Foundation, the Lincoln Parish School Board, and a $10,000 grant from the AT&T project to help with supplies and incentives. Out of 94 students that qualified, 83 have attended on the first two days or 88%. Eight teachers and 1 enrichment teacher were hired.
The EOC (End of Course) summer school is set to run 5 days a week beginning on June 9. High school students will receive 30 hours of instruction in the course of their choice per Ricky Edmiston, Secondary Supervisor. Eighty-one students needed summer remediation in Algebra I, 58 in biology, 23 in English II, 8 in English III, and 5 in U. S. history. Because only thirty-five students showed up for registration, they are calling in an attempt to get more students involved. Seven teachers were hired: 2 math, 1 ELA, 2 biology, and 2 special education.
In order to support students as they and their teachers learn new, higher expectations and to avoid adverse impacts of the increased rigor, BESE had given preliminary approval to transitions policies for 4th and 8th grade promotion for the next two years. Ricky Edmiston said current grade promotion policies will remain in effect; however, for the 13-14 school year BESE has authorized local school districts to issue waivers for first-time 4th and 8th graders who do not achieve the passing standard on tests but have demonstrated readiness to progress to the next grade. All students in the transitional waiver promotion would have to attend summer school and retest. The final decisions regarding promotion will be made by the School Building Level Committee (SBLC). He summarized the 13-14 Pupil Progression Plan Addendum for Lincoln Parish and said that extenuating circumstances would be evaluated on an individual basis and decisions would be made in the best interest of the students.
In her Personnel Report, Mary Null shared the following:
1. Retirement of the following:
David Rogers, administrator at Youth Rescue Center, effective August 1, 2014; and
Billy Laird, athletic director at Ruston High, effective July 1, 2014.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 24, 2014, unless noted otherwise:
Jennifer Sanderson, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary;
Robin Ewers, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary;
Deanna Forester, librarian at Dubach School;
Clint Blazier, science teacher at I. A. Lewis;
Lacey Cooper, pre-k teacher at LPECC;
Jeffrey Atencio, special education teacher at Ruston Elementary;
Clint Ebey, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective August 1, 2014; and
T. J. Bowman, math teacher at Ruston High.
3. Transfers/Points of Reference of the following effective August 11, 2014, unless otherwise noted:
Kari McGuire, from Ruston High to social studies at Choudrant High, replacing Delaine Moseley who retired;
Felicia Dunbar, from Ruston High to math teacher at Dubach School, replacing Terry Antee who transferred;
Abigail Leachman, from Cypress Springs to librarian at Dubach School, replacing Deanna Forester who resigned;
Allison Edwards, from Dubach School to teacher at Glen View Elementary, replacing Rabia Hastey who resigned;
Jamie Bolton, from Simsboro High to social studies teacher at I. A. Lewis, replacing Steve Wooley who transferred;
Cassie Maxwell, from Simsboro High to math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Felicia Dunbar who transferred;
Bobbi Conner, from I. A. Lewis to math teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Angela Dison who retired;
Steve Wooley, from I. A. Lewis to social studies teacher at Ruston Junior High effective July
14, 2014 in a new position because of student numbers;
Danyelle O’Neal, from Simsboro High to ELA at Ruston Junior High, replacing Alisha Eppinette who resigned;
Holly Payton, from I. A. Lewis to science teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Shelli Quayhagen who retired; and
Terry Antee, from Dubach School to math teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Cassie Maxwell who transferred.
4. Employment of the following effective August 11, 2014, unless noted otherwise:
Jeremy Blake as physical education teacher at Dubach School replacing Theodis Johnson who retired;
Kristi Elliott as school psychologist at Pupil Appraisal effective July 28, 2014, replacing Becky Stutzman who promoted;
Jenna Bolin as English/P.E./coach at Ruston High replacing Blair Kelly who resigned;
William Butterfield, social studies teacher at Ruston High replacing Kari McGuire who transferred; and
Anne Parker, math teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Clint Ebey who resigned.
5. Leave without pay for the 14-15 school year, effective August 11, 2014, from Beth Foster, teacher at Ruston Elementary.
6. Employment of Johnathan Miller as maintenance at the district maintenance building effective July 1, 2014, replacing Johnathan Miller who resigned.
A sales tax report for the month ending May 2014 was presented by George Murphy. Accumulations were $1,233,463 which were up 11.35% compared to the same month last year and 6.89% year-to-date. Recoveries through audits were $234,273 year-to-date. That fund was up 22% compared to the same month last year. Collections in the 1967 and the 1979 sales tax fund were $560,665, and $672,797 went into the 1993 and 2000 fund. Reasons for the increase, he remarked, were primarily oil and gas extractions.
George Murphy also delivered an April 2014 financial update that was comparable to the March report. He called attention to the total fund balance of $38.9 million which was down $2.5 million compared to April 2013 mainly because of the Choudrant High and Simsboro High tracks, the construction work at Dubach School, and the Ruston High James Field/Hoss Garrett stadium projects.
In his health plan update for April 2014, George Murphy said it is doing very well this year. The fund was up $170,635 for the month and $1,297,787 year-to-date.
A construction update was given by Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services. He narrated pictures of the 4 major ongoing projects: Dubach School, James Field artificial turf/Hoss Garrett lights and concession stands, Cypress Springs and the upcoming track at Choudrant. At Dubach School, he feels better about the timeline as the block layer got back on schedule. Within the next 2 weeks he anticipates having the project completely in the dry. At Cypress Springs, improvements have started on the parking lot, the parent pickup area, and on the building renovation work. The portable buildings at Glen View have been prepared to be moved approximately 150’ to the west in order to build the addition. On the artificial turf project at Ruston High School, the absorption pad is down, goal posts have been installed, and a majority of the new track surface has been laid. He is quite pleased with the progress. In the home-side concession area, they are on schedule, and he is also pleased with their progress. Beige, white, and red paint are being used there and throughout the athletic complex.
Bid opening was held on May 13, 2014, for the purchase of the following items for the 14-15 school year: copy 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 Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 14-15 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid
Unisource 2640 Cases of Copy Paper
Price Per Unit: $24.00
Total for 1760 Cases: $63,360.00
Unisource 400 Cases of Toilet Tissue
Price Per Case: $25.83
Total for 400 Cases: $10,332.00
Unisource 800 Cases of Paper Towels
Price Per Case: $12.98
Total for 800 Cases: $10,384.00
Hill Oil Company Gasoline & Diesel
Unleaded Regular Cost + .1085 gallon
Unleaded Plus Cost + .1085 gallon
Unleaded Premium Cost + .1085 gallon
Road-Use Diesel Cost + .1125 gallon
Off-Road Diesel Cost + .1325 gallon
KAPS Textile Services Dust Mop Rentals
18 inch .42 each weekly
36 inch .69 each weekly
48 inch .79 each weekly
Sales tax collections have increased 6.44% during the fiscal year through April; however, collections this year are expected to be down approximately $1,000,000 compared to five years ago. 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, announced George Murphy. Although he recommended that the June salary supplement checks remain the same as last year, $5,025 to certified employees 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, 2014, in the amounts of $5,025 for certified staff and $2,513 for support staff.
In accordance with state law, a solicitation for a proposal was sent to the only newspaper in Lincoln Parish prior to naming an official journal for the upcoming year. George Murphy communicated that the Ruston Daily Leader offered $4.75 per legal square which was $1.00 higher than last year, but it was well below the maximum of $6.00 per legal square. He suggested that the Board name them as the official journal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to name the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 14-15.
Due to the fire marshal’s requirement to add a fire wall between the current building and the new addition and the additional labor and materials, Charles Owens presented change order #1 in the amount of $19,000.00 on the Cypress Springs renovation and construction project. Unfortunately the response from the fire marshal came after the architect’s deadline for issuing an addendum to the project bid; however, Mike Walpole did report the need for this barrier at the May 6, 2014, meeting. Mr. Owens recommended the approval of Mike Walpole’s change order #1 or Triad Builders’ change order request “A.”
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #1 for $19,000.00 on the Cypress Springs project.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell noted that:
A list of 14-15 board meeting dates, times, and locations was placed in portfolios.
There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
__________________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary
__________________________________
Otha L. Anders, President