LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, 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. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham and Ms. Susan Wiley.
No board members were absent.
President Anders called the meeting to order and delivered the invocation. The ladies led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mr. Anders welcomed the two newly-elected board members, nine returning board members, staff, media, and other guests.
Board members were sworn in by Linda Cook, Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity to do so and offered her congratulations.
The former mayor of Ruston, Dan Hollingsworth, thanked the Board for their passion and zeal for excellence. The recently-elected mayor, Ronny Walker, said he looks forward to working with them in his new position.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended moving REPORTS before NEW BUSINESS in order to allow the bond attorney time to arrive.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on December 2, 2014, as distributed.
The Election of Officers for 2015 was the next item on the agenda. Mr. Anders turned the floor over to the Secretary, Danny Bell. Mr. Bell declared the floor open for nominations for President. Mr. Barmore nominated Otha Anders. Hearing no further nominations for president, Mr. Bell declared the time for nominations closed and asked for a vote. Mr. Anders was unanimously selected as President for 2015.
Danny Bell asked for nominations for Vice President. Ms. Henderson nominated Joe Mitcham. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Bell declared the time for nominations closed and asked for a vote. Mr. Mitcham was unanimously selected as Vice President for 2015.
Mr. Anders and Mr. Mitcham thanked the Board for their vote of trust and the honor of serving.
Following an advertisement for bids to purchase six new buses, three bids were received from Kent Mitchell Bus Sales, Scott Truck L.L.C., and Ross Bus Sales. Transportation Supervisor, James Payton, said careful analysis and comparison led to his recommendation to accept Scott Truck’s bid of $71,950.00 for each bus.
In her Personnel Report, Mary Null, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs, verbalized:
1. Resignation of the following:
Wade Robinson, social studies teacher at Choudrant High, effective December 20, 2014;
Connie Woods, business teacher at Simsboro High, effective December 5, 2014; and
Terry Antee, math teacher at Simsboro High, effective December 8, 2014.
2. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective January 5, 2015:
Danyelle O’Neal, from Ruston Junior High to a new student services coordinator position at Simsboro High; and
Gayle Lewis, from Ruston High to business teacher at Simsboro High, replacing Connie Woods who resigned.
3. Resignation of Jimmy Hinson, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective December 12, 2014.
4. Retirement of Sandra Hewitt, school food service clerk technician at Cypress Springs, effective December 19, 2014.
George Murphy, Business Manager, called attention to figures on the December 2014 sales tax report and noted that $1,345,967 was collected. That was a 19.3368% increase compared to the same month last year. It was a very good month, but not as good as the previous month. Year-to-date collections were up 10.82%, and about 3% was budgeted. Recoveries through audits for the month were $32,704. That was a 77% decrease compared to last month and 32% year-to-date. Collected in the ‘67 and ‘79 fund was $611,804; $734,163 was generated in the ‘93 and ‘00 fund. He again gave oil and gas extractions as the reason for the increase.
In his financial update for November 2014, Mr. Murphy said the General Fund was still looking very good, but the 5 mill maintenance fund was about $1 million in the hole. Although money would be received from the Sheriff soon, it would only be enough to make the fund flush and would not cover the remainder of the year. Another transfer from the General Fund was probably going to be necessary in the next few months. Sales tax funds were doing well as mentioned earlier, and ad valorem funds were all showing negatives. Those would also receive money from the Sheriff. The Total Fund Balance for all of the funds was $31.4 million.
Moving on to the health and dental fund, through the month of November 2014 the fund was up $113,013. Year-to-date the fund was up $666,609 according to Mr. Murphy.
In his construction report, David Crowe, Coordinator of Auxiliary Services, noted that he has been impressed with the contractor and crew on the Cypress Springs renovation and construction project. Things were going well and should be completed by the end of March 2015. Glen View required a significant amount of dirt work, and that has been done. Things are looking pretty good there, and he anticipates that project to be finished during the summer of 2015. The track project at Choudrant High School was slated to be finalized in the middle of October 2015, and cleaning and grubbing might begin this week.
At the request of Mr. Anders, George Murphy said the first two projects Mr. Crowe talked about were being funded through the Ruston School District #1 bond proceeds voted on by the taxpayers for the Ruston district. The Choudrant track was being financed by the General Fund. The administration has tried to be equitable between all of the school districts, and Choudrant was the last one on the list.
Because of requirements imposed by a new state law, Grant Schlueter, bond attorney with Foley & Judell, was present to issue notice of a public meeting in order to call a tax renewal election in Simsboro School District No. 3. He read the following:
Notice of Public Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Parish School Board of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held within Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax at the School Board meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. at I. A. Lewis School, 1000 Mitchell Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the Notice of Public Meeting.
Following voter approval on November 16, 2013, of the Ruston School District No. 1 bond issue of $21,000,000 for capital projects, Mr. Schlueter wanted to proceed with the issue of the second series of bonds. He called attention to a Resolution advertising for bids for the purchase of $5,000,000 of school bonds. The receipt of bids would be scheduled at the school board meeting during the day on February 18, 2015. Upon successful sale of the bonds, he anticipates delivery of the bonds on March 25 after which funds would be available in the construction account.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the following: Resolution
Authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of $5,000,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2015, of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Forethought Consulting Inc. suggested four policy revisions at the conclusion of the 2014 Louisiana Legislative session. Mary Null summarized their changes to Debt Limitation (DE), Tax and Bond Elections and Sales (DFD), Cash Management and Investments (DFL), and Purchasing (DJE) and asked board members to study them until the February 3, 2015, meeting.
With the superintendent’s employment contract expiring on June 30, 2015, he asked the Board to extend it approximately three months - until October 9, 2015. That would allow him ample time to begin the 15-16 school year, close out several matters he has taken on during his tenure as school superintendent, and to ease the transition for his replacement. In addition, he requested that the salary remain unchanged.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve an approximate three and one-half month extension of the current superintendent’s contract beginning July 1, 2015, and ending on October 9, 2015.
At this point in the meeting President Anders recognized Superintendent Bell who summarized a memo giving formal notification of his intent to retire as superintendent effective October 9, 2015. After 40 years in education, with the last 10 spent as superintendent, he believes the time has come for a change. He publically thanked the numerous teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, community members, and others who have contributed to the success of the system during his administration. Mr. Bell closed by saying what a privilege and pleasure it had been to work with a professional Board and an outstanding administrative staff throughout the years and wishing the Board and school system great success in the years to come.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board regretfully and unanimously voted to accept the memo as formal notification of Danny Bell's intent to retire as superintendent effective October 9, 2015.
Although Committee Preference forms were included in packets, after speaking to new members and several of the longer-serving board members, President Anders asked that board members remain on the same committees they were on in 2014. He believes members were serving in their areas of expertise and experience, and the committees were very effective. Mr. Anders reiterated that all members were invited and even encouraged to attend all committee meetings and not just those on which they serve. If a change was necessary, he said to let Becky Gemelli know.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
1. He appreciates the Board and welcomed the two new board members. He looks forward to working with them in the months to come.
2. A meeting of the Executive Committee will be scheduled in the latter part of the month to discuss the process for a superintendent search and selection and a timeline. It will be brought before the entire Board perhaps at the February meeting.
3. The LSBA Convention is coming up shortly on February 22 - 24. He urged members to give Becky their registration sheets for the same.
4. Staff development has been set for January 20 and 21, 2015, for teachers. Although Tuesday, January 20, was approved on the 14-15 school calendar, due to information recently received from the LDOE, it has necessitated a need for another staff development day for the teachers. There were extra buffer days built into the 14-15 school calendar with more than enough instructional minutes for the year.
At Mr. Bell’s urging, Mike Milstead, Chief Academic Officer, shared why it was important to change Wednesday, January 21, to a staff development day. He briefly mentioned twelve reasons with the main one being the fact that the school district received final notification from the LDOE in November that PARCC would be the assessment tool Louisiana would use for ELA and math assessment; therefore, it would not be addressed during the August 2014 professional development.
5. A State of the District Report has been scheduled on Monday, January 26, 2015, at noon in the Community Room of the Lincoln Parish Library. Light refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. Board members were invited to attend as the community is made aware of what progress has been had in the past year.
6. A copy of the January newsletter, containing many of the accomplishments of the school district, was included in portfolios and mailed to many individuals and school districts. He gave credit to the outstanding teachers, school leaders, district staff, board members, and community partners as it takes many people to accomplish his progressive goals.
Following introductions and additional welcomes from Mr. Anders, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Danny Bell, Secretary Otha Anders, President