LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

SPECIAL CALLED SESSION

Thursday, April 23, 2015   noon

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at noon in the Lincoln Parish School Board Central 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. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr. and Mr. Joe Mitcham.

Ms. Susan Wiley was absent.

President Anders called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.  The ladies led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Mr. Anders welcomed board members and visitors to the meeting.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

The lone item on the agenda was a resolution assigning oil, gas, and mineral leases.  Business Manager, George Murphy, reported the Board owns 20 different parcels of land and approximately 114 total acres that the administration was requesting the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board to facilitate executing oil, gas and mineral leases.  He introduced Jeff Robinson, Assistant District Attorney assigned to the LPSB, who had prepared a resolution regarding the leases and was available to answer questions.  Mr. Murphy read the resolution in full.

Mr. Robinson communicated that the resolution was pretty standard, routine and self-explanatory.  Exhibit “A” contained a legal description of the properties, and Exhibit “B” spelled out the conditions that included a minimum bonus of $1,000 per acre.  He noted that going through the mineral board makes the process more competitive.  Recent requests he had received to lease the school system’s land caused him to contact the State Mineral Board.  They had an April 27, 2015, deadline to be included in their June 2015 land lease.  He urged Superintendent Bell and President Anders to convene a Special Called Session of the Board to allow the resolution to be included on the Mineral Board’s June agenda with those from the City of Ruston and Police Jury.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the:

Resolution

Authorizing the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board to act on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, to accept nominations, advertise for, accept and award bids, and execute oil, gas and mineral leases and allow the Board President and/or the Superintendent to sign the Resolution on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board.

Superintendent Bell commented:

1)         In order to allow time to interview 40 candidates for several principal positions, the May 7 board meeting was being postponed until May 12.  Prior to that meeting, the Building and Grounds Committee will meet at 5:15.

Lynda Henderson arrived at the meeting.

2)         It is imperative that everyone be in attendance at the June 2 meeting.  At 5:30 that evening new board pictures will be taken and a Retirement Reception will begin in the lobby of the Central Office.

Following a comment by Mr. Anders, the Special Called meeting adjourned at 12:14 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Best.

_______________________________               _______________________________

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