LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of 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, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
No board member was absent.
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Ms. Wiley. Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed board members, staff, media, and guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended upon the advice of the Board’s attorney, Bob Hammonds, changing item 9.2 (Personnel Report) to 9.1 and the previous 9.1 (Update on pending litigation) to 9.2, and including item 7.2 (Principals for Choudrant High, Dubach School, Glen View Elementary, I. A. Lewis, Ruston Elementary, Ruston Junior High, and Simsboro School) in the new 9.1 (Personnel Report), thereby deleting the old 7.2.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 7, 2015, and the Special Called Session held on April 23, 2015, as printed.
Willie Washington, Federal Programs Director, was thrilled to present the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA) State Leadership Award to Superintendent Danny Bell. He said the organization recognizes deserving individuals around the country who continually support federally funded programs. Mr. Washington presented a plaque to Mr. Bell in honor of his selection and asked him to say a few words. Mr. Bell expressed his appreciation for the honor, and Mr. Anders voiced his pleasure over his selection. He said because of Mr. Bell’s diligence, leadership, commitment, integrity, character, hard work, determination and outstanding goals and vision, he has certainly earned the honor.
Five bids for the Ruston High School baseball complex were opened on April 23, 2015. Coordinator of Auxiliary Services, David Crowe, noted those submitting bids were: Don Leach Construction, Ouachita Builders, Regan Builders, Traxler Construction, and Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc. Triad Builders’ bid of $865,000 was determined to be the low bidder. Although the total was above what was originally believed to be the cost for facility improvements, he said the scope of the project was somewhat expanded after receiving input from the head baseball coach and others. Acceptance of Triad’s bid would permit the completion of most of the desired upgrades while not going too far above the planned budget. Two additive alternates were advertised along with the base project. After reviewing the bids for those, the administration recommended the approval of additive alternate #2 which would allow for fill dirt, re-shaping contours, and French drains in a practice field. That additive would add $29,500 to the total cost of the project. Mr. Crowe closed by saying that even if either alternate bid was accepted, Triad Builders would still remain the lowest bidder on the project.
Trott Hunt, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, added that the Committee reviewed the bid proposal prior to the meeting and unanimously voted to recommend its acceptance to the full Board.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to accept the base bid of $856,000 as well as additive alternate #2 of $29,500 submitted by Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc., and award them as the contractor for the Ruston High School baseball complex project.
Bids for the Ruston School District access controls and security improvements were opened on May 5, 2015. David Crowe communicated that three qualified bidders submitted bids – Cody Phillips Construction, Traxler Construction, and Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc. Cody Phillips Construction initially submitted the lowest bid; however, after careful review of calculations, their bid was withdrawn stating a mathematical error had occurred due to some miscellaneous items that were to be included in the project. As a result, the next lowest bidder was determined to be Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc. Even though their bid was somewhat higher than expected, it was still within the Ruston School District bond budget. In addition, at the architect’s suggestion, the administration agreed to recommend the two alternates that had been advertised, #1 being work at the Early Childhood Center, and #2 consisting of gate work at Ruston High School.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the base bid of $1,075,000 as well as additive alternates #1 of $50,000 and #2 of $165,000 submitted by Triad Builders of Ruston, Inc., and award them as the contractor for the Ruston School District access control and security improvement project.
Following a month of study, Mary Null, Assistant Superintendent, asked for Board approval of three proposed policy revisions.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the following policies: EE – Child Nutrition Program Management, IHF – Graduation Requirements, and IKDB – Graduation Exercises.
Because of wet weather and the immediate need for fill dirt for the new track facility at Choudrant High School, David Crowe presented change order #2 for the Board’s perusal. He reminded members that the Lincoln Parish Police Jury was originally slated to assist with the project by hauling extra dirt from the Simsboro track facility acreage to Choudrant with the school board paying for the fuel. The cost was estimated to be $10,000. Persistent inclement weather prevented them from hauling the dirt in the time frame agreed to, and now they had to turn their attention to their road maintenance program. Approval of the change order would allow Womack and Sons Construction Group, Inc., to secure the needed fill dirt for the significant project, but as a result the cost would increase by $33,968.59. Paul Riley, engineer with the Riley Company, reviewed the projected amount and felt it to be a fair number; therefore, the administration was recommending approval of the change order.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #2 for the Choudrant High School track project increasing the contract sum by $33,968.59 and allowing for the necessary fill dirt needed to move the project forward.
Due to recent concerns over the unassigned fund balance, George Murphy, Business Manager, reviewed the designations in the fund balances for all of the funds. He determined that a portion of the 1979 Sales Tax Fund that was currently designated as Committed should be considered as Unassigned. This would allow approximately $1.2 million to be shown in the Unassigned category at the beginning of the year so when Standards and Poor’s rates the school system, it would free up some money and be advantageous for their rating system. After discussion with the administration, he discussed it with the external auditors at Allen, Green and Williamson. Since they concurred, the administration recommended the same.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change in the 1979 Sales Tax Fund balance from Committed to Unassigned.
Sales tax collections have increased significantly during the fiscal year through April, reported George Murphy. The increase was not budgeted for the fiscal year; however, an accumulation of funds was available to be appropriated for an additional payment to board hired employees in the form of a 15th check. Recommended amounts were $3,000 to certificated personal and $1,500 to support personnel. Due to the uncertainty of continued collections of the same magnitude, the administration would consider the check a one-time distribution. In addition, he stated the June supplement checks could be funded at the same level as the past several years. After providing a brief timeline of salary supplements since 2004, Mr. Murphy requested the Board’s approval of the recommended amounts.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of salary supplements on May 26, 2015, in the amounts of $3,000 to certificated personnel and $1,500 to support personal, and the payment of salary supplements on June 26, 2015, in the amounts of $5,025 for certified personnel and $2,513 for support personnel.
The Building and Grounds Committee met before the meeting and Chairman Hunt summarized that meeting. The change orders and the bids previously mentioned were discussed, reviewed, and approved. An update was given on Glen View, Hillcrest, I. A. Lewis, and Ruston Elementary construction projects. All of them were proceeding and work was progressing well for the most part. The playground project at the elementary schools was being implemented in accordance with the principals’ recommendations. A review of that was given. The substantial addition to Ruston Junior High was about to go out for bids. Finally, the committee reviewed the Choudrant High School track project where a change order was approved and an update on the schedule was given. Because of extreme wet weather, movement of dirt work had not gone as planned so the project had been delayed. He said hopefully some time will be made up during the dry summer months.
As part of the Personnel Report Superintendent Bell said a record setting thirty-eight comprehensive interviews had recently been done in order to fill seven principal positions. Mary Null chaired the Interview Committee comprised of Ricky Durrett, Ricky Edmiston, Shavonne Garner-Price, Patrice Hilton, and Dr. Doris Lewis. Based on the committee’s recommendations, after research into their backgrounds, and in compliance with Act 1 of the 2012 Legislature Session and policy GBD, he announced he was appointing the following persons as principals in the Lincoln Parish School System effective July 1, 2015:
Tony Antley Choudrant High School
Pam Pruden Dubach School
Jana Comstock Glen View Elementary
John Young I. A. Lewis
Amy Brister Ruston Elementary
Daryl Savage Ruston Junior High
Rusty Farrar Simsboro School
Mr. Bell introduced them and asked them to introduce their guests. After congratulating the new principals and wishing them well, he asked Mike Milstead, Superintendent-Elect, to make a few comments.
Mr. Milstead said the seven individuals rose to the top during the process of getting to know the thirty-eight applicants. After more than two hundred twenty-five hours of interviews and deliberation, that was remarkable. He noted that several others that were not being recommended for the principal slots were going to be great principals at a later time. Mr. Milstead was delighted with the interest by fifty-three people in becoming administrators in Lincoln Parish. He said he looks forward to working with the new principals. In closing, he verbalized that they were selected using a process that was very objective, to the point, and followed the letter of the law; he’s proud of that and where it will take the school system over the next few years.
Mary Null voiced the following:
1. Retirement of the following effective May 23, 2015:
Adonna Bartlett, English teacher at Ruston High School; and
Mary Soto, gifted and talented teacher at Ruston Junior High.
2. Resignation, effective May 23, 2015, of the following:
Lacey Deal, teacher at Glen View Elementary;
Nell Fitch, librarian at Hillcrest Elementary;
Gloria McAdams, teacher at Ruston Elementary;
Beth Foster, teacher at Ruston Elementary;
Crystal Almond, math teacher at Ruston High;
Jeanine Edgecomb, science teacher at Simsboro School; and
Christina Thompson, English/language arts teacher at Simsboro School.
3. Points of Reference/Transfer of the following effective August 17, 2015, unless noted otherwise:
Stacy Findley, from Ruston High School to YRC Administrator effective July 1, 2015, replacing David Rogers who retired;
Suzette Henderson, from Simsboro School to librarian at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Nell Fitch who resigned;
Tammy Patterson, from teacher at Hillcrest Elementary to reading interventionist at Hillcrest Elementary in a new position;
Tammy Johnson, from teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary to a new reading interventionist slot at Hillcrest Elementary;
Sheri Sandlin, from teacher at Dubach School to reading interventionist at Dubach School and Glen View Elementary in a new position;
Rayna McCarty, from teacher at I. A. Lewis to a new reading interventionist slot at Glen View Elementary;
Tiffany Curry-Lewis, from teacher at Glen View Elementary to reading interventionist at Glen View Elementary and Alma J. Brown in a new position;
Amy Carter, from teacher at Glen View Elementary to a new reading interventionist slot at Glen View Elementary;
Renee Laird, from special education teacher at Ruston Elementary to reading interventionist at Glen View Elementary in a new position; and
Heather Roussell, from teacher at LPECC to a new reading interventionist slot at Simsboro School.
4. Employment of the following effective August 17, 2015:
Allison Milstead as reading interventionist at Choudrant Elementary in a new position;
Melissa Sullivan as English teacher at Ruston High, replacing Adonna Bartlett who retired; and
Margaret Samons as math teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Amanda Robertson who resigned.
5. Employment of Sarah Crane as school food service technician at Cypress Springs Elementary effective April 1, 2015, replacing Scymentress Davis who retired.
Mr. Bell presented Bob Hammonds, attorney with Hammonds, Sills, Adkins and Guice law firm, who was working with the Board with respect to desegregation.
Mr. Hammonds requested that the Board go into executive session to discuss strategy on ongoing litigation, United States of America v. Lincoln Parish School Board, et al, Civil Action number 12,071.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 6:41 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to return to open session at 7:20 p.m.
Sales taxes collected for the period ending April 30, 2015, totaled $1,852,234, George Murphy reported. That was a 42.48% increase over the same month last year and 28.92% year-to-date. Year-to-date recoveries through audits were $22,313. For the month, $841,925 was collected in the ‘67 and ‘79 fund, and $1,010,308 was collected in the ‘93 and ‘00 fund. Once again the primary reason for the increase was oil and gas extractions.
Moving on to the financial statement for March 2015, Mr. Murphy said it continues to be a good year financially. Sales tax funds and the General Fund were all doing well. There were not many changes from the previous month.
In his Health Care Fund report, George Murphy, said a loss of $17,281 was experienced for the month ending March 2015. Year-to-date that fund was down $622,123 for the first three months. He noted that the sales tax funds were one of the things that support the health insurance fund, so when those collections are up, some of the money can be used to help shore up the health care fund. In addition, rate changes have not been made since 2009 so that may need to be adjusted as well. A decision regarding those and raising the deductibles will be made later in the year if necessary.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Bell said:
1. He wanted to congratulate the Simsboro community for their recent successful bond renewal. Returns will be canvassed at the June meeting. He appreciates the community and their support.
2. A Celebration of Champions recognizing many of the students and faculty who have achieved at the state and/or national levels was held yesterday at the Ruston Civic Center. A great crowd of over 300 was in attendance.
3. High school graduations begin this week with the first one, Simsboro, on Thursday, Ruston High’s on Tuesday, followed by Choudrant’s on the following Thursday.
4. A reception honoring retirees for 2014-2015 has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. A new picture of the board had been scheduled, but that needs to be postponed due to someone’s inability to attend. After polling and discovering at least one board member will be absent on July 7 and August 4, he said Becky Gemelli will gather attendance information, schedule a picture, and communicate the date and time.
Following two questions, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Danny L. Bell, Secretary Otha L. Anders, President