LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 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 (left the meeting early), 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 members were absent.
President Otha Anders called the meeting to order, and Mr. Barmore gave the invocation. Ms. Wiley led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Anders welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on September 1, 2015.
Retiring Superintendent, Danny Bell, was recognized by President Anders and presented with a collage from the Board depicting him, the schools, and other important aspects of his thirty-nine years with the Lincoln Parish school system.
Superintendent Mike Milstead presented Mr. Bell with an Expression of Commendation from the House of Representatives. It had been obtained by Mr. Rob Shadoin, Representative from District No. 12, who was out of town and could not be in attendance to present it to Danny Bell.
Mr. Bell was overwhelmed by the recognition, but expressed his appreciation for all of the good, hard-working people he had worked with over the years and for every opportunity afforded by the Lincoln Parish School Board. He praised Mike Milstead and the educational team he had assembled and predicted great accomplishments in the future. He introduced his wife, Dr. Susan Bell, and wished everyone well as he departed.
Following a month of study, Mary Null, Assistant Superintendent, asked the Board to approve four policies that had been recommended for revision at the last meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Interscholastic Athletics – IDFA, Student Organizations – JHC, Foreign Exchange Students – JQK, and Student Privacy and Education Records – JR policies.
The series 2006 Ruston District General Obligation Bonds were refunding candidates based on current interest rates according to Grant Schlueter, Bond Attorney with Foley & Judell. He distributed a handout for the next two agenda items that both dealt with the refinancing of those. He explained the process involved in refinancing them at a lower interest rate without extending the maturity date; it would simply reduce the amount that property tax payers would pay each year and would not produce any additional funds for the school system. For federal tax purposes, it was going to have to be split in two pieces with 4 ½ mill being recommended now and the other 8 mill being proposed right after the first of 2016. A lower interest rate would be secured, he explained, if the sale was for less than 10 million in a calendar year. If approved by the Board, he estimated savings to property tax payers after all costs on the 2006 bonds of $370,000. Since 2012 in refinancings undertaken by the Lincoln Parish School Board, a grand total of savings to property tax payers after all costs was over $1,663,000. Mr. Schlueter asked the Board to approve a resolution permitting the application to the State Bond Commission.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding $5,200,000 of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, of Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said bonds, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mr. Schlueter explained that the above-mentioned resolution gave preliminary approval for both pieces necessary to accomplish the refunding of the 2006 bonds of Ruston School District No. 1.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not exceeding $4,500,000 of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, of Ruston School District No. 1.
That covers the first series of $4 ½ million in bonds, accepts the bank’s proposal, and authorizes the issuance of that portion of the bonds according to Mr. Schlueter. The balance to complete the 2006 refunding would be $635,000, and that will be brought back to the Board for approval at the November meeting.
Permission to formally approve an $11,000 credit change order from the contingency and hardware allowance for renovation and construction at Glen View was requested by James Payton, Transportation Supervisor. He also requested the addition of 55 days because of rain.
Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, Trott Hunt, said the committee voted to recommend to the full Board the approval of the credit change order for the Glen View project.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the $11,000 credit change order and the addition of 55 days to the contract time on the Glen View renovation and construction project.
Cleaning and organizing the Maintenance Facility had resulted in several items that were no longer needed or were broken or obsolete voiced Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services. Some of the items were: a 1984 GMC Sierra Truck, 1997 Dodge van, 2000 Ford F250 double cab, 2 portable buildings (20’ x 60’), 4 portable buildings (24’ x 65’), and a 24’ x 32’ portable building. George Murphy, Business Manager, said about 150 band uniforms from Ruston High should also be included in the request to surplus.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to declare the items from the Maintenance Facility and band uniforms from Ruston High School as surplus; grant permission for their advertisement and sale to the highest bidder; and should there be no bidders on some items, grant permission to dispose of those items in a prudent manner.
Five policies were being recommended for revision, Board Member Compensation and Expenses – BBBE, School Bus Scheduling and Routing – EDD, Student Dress Code – JCDB, Suspension – JDD, and Expulsion - JDE. Mary Null asked members to study the proposed changes until the November meeting at which time a vote would be taken.
According to the State Department of Insurance, each school system must include in board minutes a consent item authorizing the Superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorist form. Mr. Murphy asked the Board to adopt a Resolution authorizing the same.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorist form.
In order to continue to provide a safe and efficient bus service for the students, to adequately meet the demands of extracurricular activities, and because of an increase in enrollment at two outlying schools which will necessitate adding routes, James Payton requested permission to advertise for the purchase of six new conventional buses.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of six new conventional school buses.
Due to an increase in sales tax collections during the first three months of the fiscal year and because a surplus had accumulated for the purpose of maintaining the amounts paid in previous years, George Murphy proposed that the supplements for November 2015 be $2,500 for certificated personal and $1,250 for support personnel, which were the same amounts as last year. He noted that the thirteenth check cost the school board $2,118,751 last year. Mr. Murphy cautioned that in future years a reduction might become necessary if there was a sustained period of decline in sales tax collections.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of salary supplements on November 20, 2015, in the amounts of $2,500 to certified personnel and $1,250 to support personnel.
Lisa Mangum, Reading Recovery Coach, shared how the 9 reading interventionists were working to teach the complex process of learning to read. The reading program they are using has been designated Star Reading, Sharing the Art of Reading, and training is ongoing every Tuesday. Louisiana Tech’s Dr. Carrice Cummings is also providing instruction and an outside consultant comes in from Texas once a month. An observation survey was recently administered to approximately 130 students; 54 of them are being served individually and 58 of them are incorporated into small groups. She said the interventionists move between the schools and work with 5 individuals for 30 minutes and 2 small groups each day. Although reading doesn’t come naturally to everyone, some progress is already being noted by the classroom teachers. A board member requested concrete data showing progress or lack of in the near future and definitely before the end of the program at midterm.
Mr. Dowling left during Ms. Mangum’s report.
Mr. Walpole gave a construction update on the renovation and construction projects in the Ruston School District with which he was involved and noted the following:
1. The punch list at Glen View was being completed, and the portable building will be moved soon. After that, the sidewalk could be tied in and another few items could be completed. Work was almost finished.
2. On the Ruston High School baseball project, he called attention to slides showing the new locker room or field house and the new paving. It’s not an elaborate facility, he communicated, but the coaches were happy, and the project was coming along well. It should be finished by Christmas, which was the deadline
Trott Hunt reiterated it was not an elaborate facility but was very advanced from what they originally had and is going to be a super facility for the Ruston High School baseball program.
3. At Hillcrest, the steel frame was being erected on the new classrooms, and a little retention work was being done in the rear. More work should be observed in the upcoming months compared to the last two months.
4. At Ruston Elementary, they poured the small addition’s slab last week. He showed pictures of the canopy extension work that was in progress and paving being installed to replace the paving where the new building was being built. The job was coming along nicely.
5. The biggest challenge so far has occurred at I. A. Lewis because of drainage issues. He called attention to a picture of the new drainage and said the French drain recently approved by the Board really worked well and dried things out. Plumbing was being installed, and footings were being dug. Another part of the recent change order dealt with paving, and he also showed a photo of that. A new roof had been installed on the gym.
James Payton verbalized that they were in the final stages of work on the basketball courts at Choudrant Elementary. Some drainage and sod or mulch work was left to do. Things were moving rapidly with the track at Choudrant High School. They recently poured the curving around the track, and the lights were almost ready to be placed in the ground. The base layer, rock, would be placed on the track soon. Asphalt should be placed on top of that by October 28, and December 10 was slated for the final finish on the track. The concession/restroom/storage building should be completed by November 15, 2015. Most of the work remaining was on the interior. He said a very fine track facility should be finished at Choudrant High School by December 31, 2015.
George Murphy reported that sales tax collections for the month of September 2015 were $1,665,679, which was up 25.22% compared to the same month last year. Looking at the first three months of the year, he noted the increase was starting to go down a little each month making it hard to predict sales tax collections; however, November’s numbers were usually larger. There were no recoveries through audits for the month, but year-to-date those were up a little over 2%. In the 67 and 79 sales tax fund, $757,127 was collected, and $908,551 was added to the 93 and 00 fund. He attributed the increase in sales taxes primarily to larger collections in the oil and gas extractions, but there was also an increase in auto sales.
In his report on the financial statement for the month ending in August 2015, Mr. Murphy said all of the funds were progressing as expected except for the increased sales tax collections.
The health care fund continued to have problems. George Murphy said it was down $275,580 for the month and $1,391,775 year-to-date.
Director of Human Resources, Dr. Doris Lewis, continued with a personnel report containing the following:
1. Retirement of Carnella Carroll, bookkeeper at Ruston Junior High, effective October 31, 2015.
2. Resignation of:
Tina Calhoun, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective September 26, 2015; and
Keith Gray, math teacher at Simsboro School, effective August 28, 2015.
3. Employment of:
Denise Baugh as math teacher at Choudrant Elementary effective September 28 2015, replacing Tina Calhoun who resigned;
Tammy Wallace as bookkeeper at Ruston Junior High effective November 2, 2015, replacing Carnella Carroll who retired;
James White as special education teacher at Ruston High effective September 2, 2015, replacing Melanie Poret who resigned; and
Carlton Huey as discipline facilitator at Cypress Springs in a new position effective August 20, 2015.
4. Employment of Jerry Perry in maintenance at I. A. Lewis effective August 25, 2015, replacing Betty Jenkins who resigned.
5. Resignation of Amy Bourgeois, school food service manager at I. A. Lewis, effective September 18, 2015.
6. Employment of Constance Jones as school food service technician at Dubach School effective September 21, 2015, replacing Jo Ann Castine who retired.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Milstead said:
1. A couple of forms had been placed in packets regarding businesses owned by board members and their families that were needed by the auditors. They should be completed as soon as possible and turned in to Becky Gemelli.
2. The next meeting of the board was scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at 12:30 at Dubach School.
3. In the last few months he’s begun the serious process on how to build a leadership capacity in the Lincoln Parish school system. Often those coming into the parish or wanting to move up are not sure of the rigors and responsibilities involved. Because he wants the administration to do a better job of preparing people for leadership positions, he is establishing a Leadership Academy with Lisa Bastion in charge of the same. He’d like to have prepared individuals ready to step into administrative positions when they become open.
He asked Ms. Bastion to briefly describe what had already been done relating to the Leadership Academy.
Ms. Bastion explained that she was able to participate in a statewide leadership
Program where the LDOE partnered with National Institute for School Leaders (NISL) out of Pennsylvania. According to the State Department providing principals with leadership opportunities and support was a big focus for the state. With that opportunity and the superintendent wanting to “grown our own,” they felt that it would be a great time to do so. A pretty extensive application was developed to determine interest. From thirty-seven applicants, instead of the small group of twelve they had originally planned for, they expanded the number to thirteen where a natural break occurred. A myriad of things were considered including principal recommendations, answers to questions, where they wanted to be in the next five years, and education levels. In the future, they hope to expand the program and possibly allow the applicants to receive college credit for the program. Letters have been sent to the thirteen selected, and they will begin meeting in October on the last Thursday of the month. Legal issues, leadership styles, personnel, athletics and other topics deemed helpful will be covered. Because of the interest shown, the administration plans to keep the original thirteen together into the 16-17 year and let them be a Cohort I and have a Cohort II that starts in the fall of 16-17. It’s exciting to see such a large number of employees wanting to grow, and she noted it wasn’t just for administrative positions, but also for curriculum positions and coordinating teachers. Really good speakers are being lined up, and she is very excited about the program.
4. Lincoln Parish is one of twenty-five or thirty parishes that requested raw data from PARCC assessments given in math and ELA last March and April. The State Department has had the information for some time. This is different from a score a school receives he communicated. Although not originally planned by the LDOE for distribution, he felt it would provide useful information to compare third graders to third graders, compare other grades to a district average, and help to identify overall weaknesses and strengths. He was looking forward to using that data. School performance scores and things associated with that should be coming out sometime in November. State Superintendent John White had indicated it is very sombering. He said looking at data, he agrees. Mr. Milstead said Lincoln Parish students did just as well as or better than some in the surrounding parishes and had some great areas of strengths in a couple of subject areas. They will see how that translates into School Performance Scores in the near future.
After a comment from one board member and upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
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Mike Milstead, Secretary Otha Anders, President