LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 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. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
Mr. Otha Anders was absent as he had been selected to attend the 1st Citizens Academy hosted by the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Lynda Henderson was also absent since she was traveling out of state.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Mr. Hancock. Ms. Abrahm led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Mitcham welcomed guests to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Wiley seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 1, 2016, as distributed.
Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln ACHIEVE Coordinator, recognized and presented a plaque to the High School Student of the Year Finalist, Colin King. She summarized background on the remarkable senior from Ruston High School and shared what he had gone through to reach that level in the competition. Ms. Cox-Boniol and Mr. Mitcham congratulated the finalist who was among the top six high school students in the state of Louisiana and wished him well as he progressed in the competition and in the future.
In order to comply with state law, Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, voiced the annual request for permission to advertise for bids in order to purchase gasoline and diesel for the next school year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for gasoline and diesel for 16-17.
The Board was reminded by George Murphy, Business Manager that each year schools are allocated monies from the 1979 sales tax fund to purchase instructional supplies. These amounts are distributed on a per pupil basis through the business department. Mr. Murphy proposed the same per pupil allocations from the previous year, but noted the total amount was slightly higher than last year because of an increase in students. The $77,854.50 distribution he recommended was:
Art K-12- $1.75 per student
Physical Education K-12 - $1.75 per student
Library Supplies K-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Music K-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Magazines & K-6 - $3.00 per student
Newspapers 7-12 - $3.25 per student
Science K-6 - $1.50 per student
7-8 - $3.00 per student
9-12 - $4.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the distribution of $77,854.50 from 1979 sales tax monies for instructional supply money as mentioned above.
Believing that previous report cards did not fully communicate what elementary students were expected to know and be able to do as set forth by the standards adopted by the State and District, a new, standards-based report card was piloted in 13-14 in all kindergarten classes in Lincoln Parish. It was well received by parents, families, and teachers as a positive step in better communicating grade-level expectations for student learning. Lisa Mangum, Reading Recovery Coach, said the new report cards measure how well an individual student is doing in relation to the standards and not the work of other students. In addition, it give parents a better understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses and encourages all students to do their best. Instead of the traditional “A” through “F,” students receive:
3 = Proficient – Student consistently demonstrates an understanding of concepts, skills and processes;
2 = Developing – Student is not yet consistent in demonstrating an understanding of concepts, skills and processes; and
1 = Emerging – Student does not demonstrate an understanding of grade level concepts, skills and processes. Student is performing below grade level expectations.
In 14-15, 1st and 2nd grades at Glen View piloted the revised report cards. Hearing no complaints and realizing that teachers and parents know more about the individual students and how they are progressing, this year 4th grades at Cypress Springs and Ruston Elementary used the new report cards. She distributed a second grade standards-based report card for review.
Sherry Boyd, Elementary Supervisor, shared the school systems plan for the future in regard to the standards-based report cards. From two-day training of the school teams in February by a representative from the Marzano Research in Colorado, through the end of the school year, training and planning will be taking place in all of the elementary schools. By 17-18, all K-2 grade students in Lincoln Parish will receive a standards-based report card, and by 18-19 all K-5th grade students will do so.
Ms. Mangum, Ms. Boyd, and Superintendent Mike Milstead believe this type of reporting has tremendous merit, requires teachers to teach the standards, and will cause the students to perform at higher levels than in the past.
Mr. Milstead reminded board members they had been heard a presentation from a lady from North Carolina at their LSBA Convention back in February. Michelle Thrower, Principal of Cypress Springs, and her faculty are piloting the same program at Cypress Springs. He asked her to report on it.
“The Leader in Me,” a book by Stephen Covey, is being read and its concepts are going to be slowly implemented by all employees at Cypress Springs Elementary next year. Dr. Tammy Schilling from Louisiana Tech had originally mentioned the program to Ms. Thrower and given her a copy of the book as she thought that it would be something that would be of interest to Lincoln Parish. She told board members that she is passionate about their responsibility to prepare the whole child for life and not just academics while in 3rd through 5th grades. Believing every child can be a leader, Ms. Thrower is determined that they will provide all students with an opportunity to shine at Cypress Springs Elementary School. After stressing that “The Leader in Me” is not just a book but a program, she conveyed that she is making a three year commitment to the process. Ms. Thrower invited board members to visit the school at the beginning, middle, and end of next year as the transformation takes place.
The subsequent personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Retirement of the following effective July 1, 2016:
Abigail James, Pre K/Title 1 Coordinator at the Central Office; and
Paula Pardue, Human Resources Coordinator at the Central Office.
2. Resignation of the following:
Mary Claire Smith, social studies teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective March 2, 2016;
Sharona White, secretary/bookkeeper at Glen View, effective March 14, 2016; and
Denise Juluke, counselor at I. A. Lewis, effective June 8, 2016.
3. Disability retirement of Velma Williams, paraprofessional at Cypress Springs, effective January 20, 2016.
4. Employment of Hilton Hay as a social studies teacher/P.E. at Ruston Junior High effective March 7, 2016, replacing Mary Claire Smith who resigned.
5. Point of Reference/Transfer effective March 24, 2016, of Vickey Thomas from I. A. Lewis to school food service technician at Ruston Elementary replacing Patrice Guy who was granted sick leave.
6. Retirement of Mary Jo Torbor, school food service technician at Simsboro School, effective May 25, 2016.
7. Retirement of Thomas Woods, custodian at Choudrant High, effective March 27, 2016.
March 2016 was another good month with sales tax collections totaling $1,478,916 reported George Murphy. That was a 20.96% increase compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date the fund was up 23.11%. Audit recoveries for the month were $4,895, and year-to-date those collections were down over 47%.
In his financial update for the month ending February 2016, Mr. Murphy communicated that primarily because of sales tax collections, the school system is experiencing a really good year financially. The General Fund was doing well, and all of the other funds were about where expected for the time of year. He reiterated that large cuts in MFP are expected over the next few years and urged prudency in levelizing spending and building up reserves to overcome the millions in losses.
The health plan report had begun to show changes that had recently been implemented. The fund was down $10,684 for the month ending February 2016, but was up $545,747 year-to-date after two months. George Murphy will continue to monitor the health care fund and provide feedback as needed.
In his construction update, James Payton, Coordinator of Transportation, said in general renovation and construction work were progressing quite well and most projects have reached a point where rain and bad weather don’t affect them as much as they had.
He narrated pics and noted at Hillcrest, the exterior of the addition was looking good. Most of the work to be completed was on the inside of the building. Although April 10 was the original completion date, another month of work will probably be needed.
Work at Ruston Elementary was much further along, and inspections have been completed. They are awaiting the return of paper work to get a certificate of occupancy. A few punch items remain on the inside mainly dealing with the floor.
Workers are about 95% finished with blocking on the inside and 40% complete with bricking on the exterior at I. A. Lewis. They are in the process of building a fire ceiling down the main hallway and corridors. Work will probably not be completed by the May 25 projected date.
On the big complex at Ruston Junior High, blocks are going up at a rapid rate, and they are almost 50% done with the roof on the south end. The slab had been poured, and the red iron frame for the north end was to be delivered on the next day.
Dirt work was almost complete for the spirit building at Ruston High. The perimeter of the building will be laid in the next few days. A retaining wall will be constructed on the low end of the lot, the north end, and down both sides.
A nice, beautiful track has been basically finished at Choudrant High School. Approximately 30 items remained on the punch list, but those have been carved down to about 5. Although breaches were previously encountered in the track, he was pleased to report that recent 17” record rains caused no problems.
Architect Mike Walpole was in attendance and helped with the construction report.
Copies of the revised School Board Ethics (BH) policy were again distributed. Mary Null asked the Board to consider the policy revision with the update of ethics principals. Formal action will be to be taken at the May 3, 2016, meeting.
Because of the vital role of school bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance workers, para-professionals and others in the efficient operation of the school system, Mr. Edmiston recommended that the Board adopt a Resolution designating April 25-29, 2016, as Support Personnel Week.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
That the Lincoln Parish School Board designate the week of April 25-29, 2016, as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish and copies of this Resolution be sent to each school in Lincoln Parish and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Since the architect had completed all necessary construction documents for security work at Choudrant High, Choudrant Elementary, Dubach School and Simsboro School, Mr. Payton requested permission to advertise for bids for the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids on security work at Choudrant High, Choudrant Elementary, Dubach and Simsboro.
A Fungo machine at Simsboro High was of no further use; therefore, Mr. Murphy requested that it be declared as surplus in order for it to be removed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the Fungo machine as surplus, advertise it, sell it to the highest bidder, and dispose of it in a prudent matter should there be no bidder.
Approval of a change order for the Hillcrest, I. A. Lewis, and Ruston Elementary project was the next agenda item. James Payton said the change order merely added four rain days to the contract time at no additional cost.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change order adding four days to the contract time of the Hillcrest, I. A. Lewis, and Ruston Elementary project.
Mary Null communicated that following the Board’s adoption of the 2016-2017 school calendar at their last meeting, ACT testing dates had been received that conflicted with the 2017 Spring Break. A revision of the calendar is needed. The administration was proposing to move Spring Break up one week to Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, 2017, and to change the date of the end of the 3rd nine weeks from March 17 to March 24, 2017.
Following a question by a board member and a brief discussion, upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Barmore, nine board members voted to approve the revised 2016-2017 school calendar as communicated above. Trott Hunt abstained from voting.
It was nearing time to wrap up the Hillcrest and Ruston Elementary renovation and construction projects according to James Payton. He requested permission to execute Substantial Completion documents. At that point, the space could be occupied and utilized for its intended use.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to:
1. Grant permission and authorize the superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute the Substantial Completion documents for the Hillcrest project; and
2. Grant permission and authorize the superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute the Substantial Completion documents for the Ruston Elementary project.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Milstead:
1. Noted a Tier 3 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement was included in packets. They are due May 15.
2. Indicated that board meeting dates for the next twelve months were also included in portfolios. He mentioned that two of the meetings were scheduled during the day at a school instead of the previous practice of having a second board meeting in those months in order to get into the schools.
3. Said a color-coded map showing AP participation by district was also placed in portfolios. Basically the only dark green in North Louisiana was Lincoln Parish, which indicated that 30% or a greater number of high school students are taking an AP class. He believes the school system also has a fairly high pass rate of about 70% on the extremely difficult tests.
4. Reminded board members that a few years ago most of the students in grades 9 – 12 began to transfer from Dubach School to Ruston High School. That had gone well, so when planning for next year it was noted that about 75 students were being taught by 9 teachers in the 6 – 8 grades at Dubach. To give those students the opportunities afforded in larger schools and to save the district money and wisely spend tax payers’ money, he made the decision to also transport those students south to attend I. A. Lewis or Ruston Junior High beginning in the fall of 2016. Wanting them to be able to participate in after school extracurricular activities, he plans to have an activity bus available for use in the afternoons. Finally, Mr. Milstead plans to open one section of pre-k at the school in the fall.
5. Announced that it was time for an Erate application, so he deferred to Debbie Pender, Instructional Technology, to give a run down on that.
Debbie Pender reported that each year about this time the school system posts or files Erate applications to seek funding for new eligible services or for existing services. Mr. Payton shared information about additional classrooms currently under construction at four schools, and with that in mind, she has filed a Form 470 to seek Erate funding for internal connections so that Lincoln Parish may expand wireless access in these new additions. On Thursday and Friday of this week, prospective vendors have been invited to review floor plans and walk through areas within each of the schools where accessible, and their proposals will be accepted through Wednesday, April 20. She noted that Lincoln Parish is also extending the existing Voice Services contract with Nexus Systems for an additional three years which will be through June 30, 2019.
6. Asked board members to complete the Evaluation of the Superintendent forms that had been mailed in their board packets. At the request of most of the Executive Committee, those should be given to Becky Gemelli, Administrative Assistant. Next year at this time, since his contract would be ending on June 30, 2017, he voiced that they might want to place the Evaluation on the Superintendent on the Board agenda and discuss it in open or closed session.
After a comment from a board member, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Mike Milstead, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President