LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, December 6, 2016  6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.

Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. David Ferguson, and Ms. Lynda Henderson were absent.

President Mitcham called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.  Mr. Rik Cason, Transportation Coordinator, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as presented.

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 1, 2016, as distributed.

Lisa Bastion, Chief Academic Officer, recognized three principals following recently released accountability data.    Dubach School, with Principal Pam Pruden, grew 11.3 points in their School Performance Score (SPS), and exceeded their growth target by more than 10 points.  They were designated a Louisiana Top Gains School for the year.  Ms. Bastion was proud to present a certificate and a monetary award and recognize Ms. Pruden for that accomplishment.

Principal of Ruston High, Ricky Durrett, was presented with a certificate for the second year in a row for growing 7 points in SPS and also received a monetary incentive for being designated an “A” school.  They grew from 100.3 to 107.3 and had an 88% graduation rate. Since they were already an “A” school and they exceeded their growth target by more than 5 points, they were also designated a Louisiana Top Gains School.

Choudrant High School’s SPS grew 9/10 of a point – from a 113.2 to a 114.1 under Principal Tony Antley.  Although not a Top Gains School, it was quite an accomplishment for the leading school in the parish.  He was also presented a certificate and a monetary award.

All three principals addressed the board, expressed their thanks, and communicated that so many people involved with their schools were doing such great work: teachers, support staff, administration, board members, community, parents and especially the students.

Superintendent Mike Milstead and President Joe Mitcham expressed their appreciation to the excellent administrators who are passionate about their work and the students.

                        A credit change order for the Ruston Junior High renovation and construction project was the next item on the agenda according James Payton, New Construction Coordinator.  Architect Mike Walpole summarized the 5 items on the change order that included the following:

                        1.     New Entergy service to the school – add $9,987.29;

                        2.     Add 2 handrails and paint, chain-link walk gate with panic device, and relocate exit light – add $3,685.00;

                        3.     Add ice maker – add $4,863.13;

                        4.     Credit for Contingency and Hardware Allowances – credit $25,000.00; and

                        5.     Add 16 days to the contract time.

Mr. Payton asked the Board to approve the change order as explained.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the credit change order #2 for Ruston Junior High project in the amount of ($6,464.58) that included items 1.-3. above, a credit for item 4., and added 16 days to the contract time.

                        Since work at Ruston Junior High was nearing completion, Mr. Payton also asked the Board to grant permission to execute substantial completion on the project.

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the Superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute substantial completion documents for the Ruston Junior High renovation and construction project.

                        In order for the timing to work out, the Superintendent felt it was imperative to get started on some of the projects on the 2017-2022 Capital Outlay Plan.  The services of an architect would have to be secured for some of them.  Because Mike Walpole and his staff have done a tremendous job on the renovation and construction related to the 2004 and 2013 bond issues as well as many other projects in the district and his professionalism and expertise have been invaluable, Mike Milstead proposed that the Board grant permission to enter into a contract with him at a cost for these basic architectural services of 7.32% of the total cost of the work, which was less than the 8.67% fee formula that he could have charged on all state projects.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to give Superintendent Mike Milstead permission to enter into a contract with Architect Mike Walpole for projects from the 2017-2022 Capital Outlay Plan.

                         Assistant Superintendent, Mary Null, introduced Mr. Norman Hanes, CFO of the Lincoln Health Foundation.  Mr. Hanes said the Foundation has benefitted countless children in the 8 years of its existence.  He reminded board members that it was formed following the 2007 sale of Lincoln General Hospital.  He provided an update on their involvement with the schools in the parish from 2009 through 2016.  A total of $8,717,634 had been distributed by the Lincoln Health Foundation during those years, with $2,613,894 being allocated to the schools.  He summarized 5 current fiscal year initiatives being funded ($406,737), which included:

                        1.     Health Enterprise to Assist Lincoln Students (HEALS) Initiative - $225,408;

                        2.     Louisiana Tech: Bulldog Book Club – Literacy (Exercise & Healthy Living) - $56,431;

                        3.     Louisiana Tech: We Inspire Smart Eating (WISE) Grant (Childhood Obesity) - $45,793;

                        4.     Louisiana Tech: Kinesiology Curriculum Integration (STEM/Physical Activity) - $50,000; and

                        5.     Seeker Springs Adolescent Counseling (I. A. Lewis & Dubach for At-Risk 6^th Graders) - $39,105.

                        Mr. Mitcham expressed the Board’s appreciation to the Foundation for the partnership that benefits the children.

                        Business Manager, George Murphy, said Kay Bradford, Grant Writer, does a really good job working with the Lincoln Parish Health Foundation.

                        Ms. Bastion used a PowerPoint presentation to explain the different components that make up School Performance Scores and the District Performance Score (DPS).  Lincoln Parish retained its “B” letter grade and grew .5 from a 95.5 to a 96. She shared the elementary grades’ scores, which were 100% from assessments; the middle schools’, which were 5% Drop-out Credit Accumulation (DCAI) and 95% assessments; and the high schools’, which were 25% of End of Course (EOC) testing, ACT, graduation rate, and diploma strength. Schools’ grades and scores for 2015 and 2016 were:

Ms. Bastion reiterated that Glen View and Hillcrest do not receive their own SPS, but share in their sister schools’, Cypress Springs and Ruston Elementary.  She also reminded the Board that two of the schools were recognized by the State for their growth and a third that grew to an even higher “A.”  Although the administration was very proud of the growth, they realize there is still work to be done as the school district strives to ensure that every school does its best educating the students and every student is being challenged to reach their full potential. 

                        Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, communicated the following personnel changes:

1.       Resignation of the following:

Mindy Beach, special education teacher at Cypress Springs, effective November 2, 2016;

Adrian Storey, special education teacher at Cypress Springs, effective November 14, 2016; and

Ebony Felder, ACT prep at Simsboro School, effective December 19, 2016.

2.     Employment of Bobby Howard, in a new HVAC technician position in the maintenance department, effective December 7, 2016.

                        Sales tax collections were down almost $3 million year-to-date compared to the same five months last year according to George Murphy.  Recoveries through audits for the month of November 2016 were down 22% compared to last year at the same time.  The reason for the decrease was a drop in oil and gas extractions.

                        In his financial update for October 2016, Mr. Murphy noted the decrease in sales taxes and in the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) have caused a drop in the Total Fund Balance.  It was $37.5 million compared to $39.5 million last year, which was down $2 million.

                        An exit conference was held with the auditors yesterday, and Mr. Murphy wanted to go ahead and report some areas of concern instead of waiting until February of 2017 as he was wont to do.  The school system will have five findings related to a significant decrease in sales taxes on the revised budget, two having to do with the Charter School and serving as a financial conduit for them on a grant, and the last two dealing with Title I.  He wanted to give board members a heads up and to let them know that the issues would be corrected. 

                        George Murphy said the health care fund had a good month, and year-to-date through October 2016 it was up $286,732.  

                        In his construction update, James Payton communicated that the final grade had been made, and grass was doing pretty well at Ruston Junior High.  He showed pics of the greenhouse, ag shop, family & consumer science area, girls’ gym and locker room, coaches’ office, one of the boys’ locker rooms and washer & dryer room, new access door to the weight room.  There was still work to be done on the north end of the building.

                        All of the blocking was complete on the New Tech project at Ruston High School (RHS).  Spray foam was about to be put on the walls, and after that, steel girders would be installed.  Most of the plumbing and duct work was finished.

                        The RHS spirit building was being bricked.  Following that, windows, dirt work, and concrete driveway and sidewalks would be completed.  Ceramic work was being done on the interior of the building. 

                        He called attention to spray foam insulation on the RHS freshman locker facility.  Bricks were about to be installed, and weather permitting, the foam mansard roof would be done. 

                        Painting and a roof were the next items needed for the girls’ soccer building at RHS.

                        A pic was shown of blonde brick columns that will have a connecting arch with James Field on it.  It was placed near the RHS girls’ and boys’ soccer buildings.

                        The RHS boys’ soccer building also needs a new roof and to be painted.  A lot of interior work remains to be done.

                        Three bids for the purchase of seven new conventional and one special needs school buses were received and opened on October 20, 2016.  They were from Kent Mitchell Bus Sales, Scott Truck, L.L.C., and Ross Bus Sales.  After careful analysis and comparison of bids, Rik Cason recommended that the bid from Scott Truck, L.L.C., be accepted as the lowest bid that fully met specifications for the conventional buses, and that the bid from Kent Mitchell Bus Sales be accepted as the lowest bid that fully met specifications for the special needs lift bus.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board voted to accept the bid from Scott Truck, L.L.C., for $72,950.00 each for the purchase of seven 2018 conventional school buses and the bid from Kent Mitchell Bus sales for $87,056.00 for the purchase of one 2018 special needs lift bus.

                        At the November meeting, the revision of six policies, ABCF-Removal from Office, DJE–Purchasing, EBBH–Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED), GAEAA–Sexual Harassment, GBA–Contracts and Compensation, GBN–Dismissal of Employees, and IDDF–Education of Students with Exceptionalities, was proposed by Mary Null, Assistant Superintendent.  She asked board members to approve those policy changes.

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the following policies: ABCF-Removal from Office, DJE–Purchasing, EBBH–Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED), GAEAA–Sexual Harassment, GBA–Contracts and Compensation, GBN–Dismissal of Employees, and IDDF–Education of Students with Exceptionalities.

                        One greenhouse cold frame building is no longer needed at Dubach School.  Dr. Lillie Williams-Hearn, Testing & Vocational Supervisor, asked permission to dispose of the item in accordance with the state bid law and applicable school board policies.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to declare as surplus the greenhouse cold frame building at Dubach School and grant permission to advertise for bids for its disposal.    

                        The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the Board and the City of Ruston regarding their use of the Bobbie James gym was expiring on the 31^st of December.  Mr. Milstead said the City had indicated a desire to extend the agreement.  Their attorney, Bill Carter, prepared a new CEA for the five year period, January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021.  Because the Board’s attorney, Jeff Robinson, has perused and approved it, he asked the Board to approve the CEA between the two entities.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Ruston regarding their use of the Bobby James gym and grant the president permission to execute the same.

                        Since the Choudrant High School athletic parking lot was complete, James Payton asked for permission for substantial completion documents to be executed.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the Superintendent, his staff, and the engineer to execute the substantial completion documents for the Choudrant parking lot project.

                        Board members are required to receive six continuing education hours annually because of Act 705 of the 2010 legislative session.  An additional responsibility had been imposed by revised statute 43:1170, requiring elected officials to receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act during each term of office.  Finally, a press release giving the training status of each member must be published in the official journal each year.  Mr. Milstead asked for permission to publish the board members’ 2016 training hours; they all met or exceeded the minimum requisite.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to enter board members’ 2016 training certificates into the official minutes of the Board.

                        Three millages for the Consolidated School District No. 1 will expire in 2018 and 2019, reported George Murphy.  Two millages are requested to renew at 4.94 mills and the other at 8.48 mills.  The taxes all have a collection period of ten years, and they would generate approximately $2,156,200, $2,156,200 and $3,701,350 respectively.  He requested approval of a Resolution in order to call an election on April 29, 2017, to authorize the renewal of the taxes, to make application to the State Bond Commission for the renewal of the taxes, to name Foley & Judell as bond counsel for handling the renewal, and for other related matters.

                        President Mitcham asked for comments or questions from the public and then from board members.

                        Hearing none, upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to approve the resolution in order to call an election on April 29, 2017, for the voters to consider the renewal of the taxes of the Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln.

                        In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Milstead said that:

                        1.     He recently toured the four city elementary schools with the Department of Justice’s attorney from Washington and the Board’s attorney, Pam Dill.  This was to verify October numbers that had been submitted in pursuit of unitary status in the desegregation suit.  He anticipates hearing from them in the near future and is confident that the process will be approved.

                        2.     Lincoln Parish and 12 to 15 other parishes received a TIF (Teacher Incentive Fund) grant to fund student teachers, teachers, and an administrator in the parish for the next five years.  That could bring in $43,000 for the rest of the 16-17 school year and then $492,000 for the subsequent four years.  It’s a significant grant that will pair the very best of Lincoln Parish’s teachers with teacher interns from La Tech or any university that sends student teachers.

                        3.     He would like to have a pilot program with board members using technology to receive board packets and agendas. He’s asked Debbie Pender, Technology Coordinator, to get a couple of devices to be used, and then will purchase one for all board members to use.  His goal is to be totally electronic by March 2017.  Several board members expressed their approval.

                        4.     He wanted to recognize La Tech for receiving money that could be used in classrooms at Ruston Elementary and Cypress Springs Elementary.  In addition, some of the athletes come into the schools to read and interact with the students.  He was very appreciative of the “Dawgs with a Cause” project.   

                        After a comment and question from one board member and following a motion by Mr. Best, the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

______________________________          ______________________________

Mike Milstead, Secretary                          Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President