LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, June 6, 2017   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 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, 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 Joe Mitcham called the meeting to order.  Mr. Anders gave the invocation, and Ms. Best 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 printed.

Upon a motion by M­­­r. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 2, 2017, as distributed.

                        The Mayor of Ruston, Ronnie Walker, talked briefly about the new sports complex being built off of Highway 167 South where the RHS boys currently play baseball.  He explained that travel team ball was booming across the south, and southern regional average figures show one weekend tournament brings $187,000 in to the local economy.  The planned complex, a part of his “Moving Ruston Forward” plan, would include 6 adult softball fields, 8 Dixie fields, 8 girls’ softball fields, 3 T-ball fields, 1 Buddy ball field, 6 soccer areas, 3 football areas, covered playgrounds for children, and a walking track with an estimated cost of $25,000,000.  The huge complex could host as many as 5 different tournaments in a weekend.  If only 60 tournaments were scheduled in a year, approximately $1.2 billion would be received by local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, stores, etc., over the life of the 20-year tax.  Attention was called to a large chart and copies he distributed showing the complex and explaining the different phases.  He asked the Board to partnership with the City and consider a financial commitment for a field house, with an estimated cost of $800,000, and 9 tennis courts, with an estimated cost of $1,000,000.  While the athletic complex could be used by all of the area schools, priority would be given to the RHS baseball, softball, and tennis teams.  In answer to a question, Mayor Walker said that those amounts could be paid over a 2 to 5 year period.  President Mitcham thanked Mr. Walker for sharing information about the complex with the Board.

                        In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, shared the following:

1.     Retirement of the following effective May 26, 2017, unless otherwise stated:

Debi Hauser, Coordinating Teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective June 1, 2017;

Rachel Gay, social studies teacher at I. A. Lewis; and

Anne Parker, math teacher at Ruston Junior High.

2.     Resignation of the following effective May 26, 2017, unless noted otherwise:

Keena Ogle, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;

Maribeth Sherman, special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary;

Laura Baze, teacher at Cypress Springs;

Amy Dakin, Student Services Coordinator at Cypress Springs;

Gelavij Myrold, teacher at Cypress Springs;

Leigh Ann Perritt, special education teacher at Cypress Springs;

Candice Cole, teacher at Glen View;

Kelly Hodge, teacher at Glen View;

Christine Gatlin, Curriculum Strategist at Hillcrest, effective June 1, 2017;

Cynthia Crowe-Garner, ELA teacher at I. A. Lewis;

Dana Becnel, teacher at Ruston Elementary;

Jillian McAlpin, teacher at Ruston Elementary;

Mary Riley, special education teacher at Ruston Elementary;

Tamieka Zachery, teacher at Ruston Elementary;

Madison Bottoms, math teacher at Ruston High;

Kirby Brasher, ELA teacher at Ruston High;

Mikaela Fitzwater, ELA teacher at Ruston High,

Risa Kendrick, math teacher at Ruston High;

Denise Moller, world geography teacher at Ruston High;

William Hogan, social studies teacher at Simsboro High;

Misty Owens, ELA teacher at Simsboro High; and

Gwendalyn Torbor, special education teacher at YRC.

3.     Points of Reference/Transfer of the following effective August 7, 2017, unless otherwise noted:

Amy Brister from Ruston Elementary to Facilitator of Federal Programs in Title I effective July 1, 2017, replacing Lisa Wilmore who transferred;

Meg Johnson from Dubach School to teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Keena Ogle who resigned;

Priscilla Smith from Cypress Springs to teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Susan Norred who retired;

Kendall Garner from Ruston Elementary to teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Lisa Hixon who retired;

Lisa Allen from Ruston Elementary to a new teacher position at Hillcrest due to an increase in student numbers;

Shannon Aultman from Ruston High to social studies teacher at I. A. Lewis replacing Rachel Gay who retired;

Jennifer Morgan from Cypress Springs to enrichment teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Amy Pilgreen who retired;

Mandy Brown from Coordinating Teacher at Ruston Elementary to Interim Principal at Ruston Elementary effective July 1, 2017, replacing Amy Brister who transferred;

Kelli Lumpkin from Dubach School to teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Lisa Allen who transferred;

Brandy Tyler from Ruston High to physical education teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Tamieka Zachary who resigned;

Polly Durrett from I. A. Lewis to teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Jillian McAlpin who resigned;

Adrian Hester from Ruston Junior High to head basketball coach at Ruston High effective July 10, 2017, replacing Bakari Beckwith who resigned; and

Jared Little from I. A. Lewis to social studies teacher at Ruston High effective July 10, 2017, replacing Shannon Aultman who transferred..

                        4.   Employment of the following effective August 7, 2017, unless noted otherwise:

Nick Bracey, technology at the Central Office effective July 1, 2017, replacing Wanda Mitchell who retired;

Jeffrey Nugent, science teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Jane Wallace who resigned;

Kristie Braud, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Jennifer Morgan who transferred;

Evanie Tims, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Gelavij Myrold who resigned;

Ashley Dunlap, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Jackie Risk who retired;

Nicole Vermaelen, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Madison Bottoms who resigned;

Lauren Spillers, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Tricia VanWinkle who resigned; and

Kyle Kavanaugh, social studies/coach at Simsboro High effective July 10, 2017, replacing William Hogan who resigned.

                        5.   Disability retirement of bus driver in the Ruston area, Mikel Tucker, effective May 25, 2017.

                        6.   Retirement of:

                              Roy Crowe, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective May 25, 2017; and

                              Sterling Richard, bus driver in the Choudrant area, effective August 1, 2017.

                        7.   Resignation of Elise Salsberry, bus driver aide, effective May 24, 2017.

                        8.   Employment of the following effective August 11, 2017;

Michael Payton, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Sterling Richard who retired; and

Jonathan Bonner, bus driver in the Ruston area, replacing Mikel Tucker who retired.

                        9.   Retirement of Roy Crowe, custodian at Ruston Elementary, effective June 30, 2017.

                     10.    Point of Reference/Transfer of Willie Patton from Ruston High to custodian at Ruston Elementary effective July 1, 2017, replacing Roy Crowe who retired.

                     11.    Employment of Tim Sims as refrigeration/HVAC technician for the District effective July 5, 2017, replacing Larry Drayton who resigned.

                     12.    Resignation of Phyllis Mardis at school food service technician at Ruston High, effective May 25, 2017.

                        She also communicated that the Lincoln Parish Job Fair was recently held with about the same number of applicants as last year meeting with the principals, 53 elementary and 30 secondary.  Principals felt there were some really good teaching candidates.

                        A sales tax report for the month ending May 2017 was presented by George Murphy, Business Manager.  It had been over a year since there was a gain, but accumulations were $1,345,498, which were up 2.67% compared to the same month last year.  Year-to-date the collections were still down over $3.8 million or 19.52% down.  Recoveries through audits for the month were $33,697.  Year-to-date $232,464 was recovered; that was more than the total collected in 15-16.

                        Mr. Murphy also delivered an April 2017 financial update and called attention to the bottom right corner of the spreadsheet.  He communicated that the Total Fund Balance was down about $2 from April of 2016 and $944,000 from March of 2017.

                        In a health plan update for April 2017, George Murphy said it was really fluctuating.  The health care fund was up $992,825 and $205,137 year-to-date.  He said the administration was not prepared to bring a recommendation for a medical insurance change for retirees.  A meeting was held with approximately 125 retirees last Thursday, June 1, 2017, to explain proposed changes in their health insurance, and it didn’t go very well.  Numerous legitimate questions and some concerns were expressed.  Mr. Murphy believes Humana was not as prepared as they should have been.  David Charpentier, the insurance consultant with Brown and Brown, is working extremely hard to get the answers to the questions that were posed, to confirm that area providers would be covered under the proposed plan, and to gather additional information.  Another meeting will be scheduled to provide answers, look at the data, and see if a change to another self-insured health care provider makes sense for the retirees and the school system.  Initial plans were to propose a change in July, but now he hopes to be able to do that in August.  In the meantime, if board members receive calls from retirees, he urged them to refer the calls to the Business Department.

                        Mr. Milstead said nobody likes change but the administration is committed to offering the effected retirees a plan that is better than what is currently in place while keeping the health care fund viable, feasible, and sustainable for years to come.

                        Bid opening was held on May 19, 2017, for the purchase of the following items for the 17-18 school year: copy/duplicating paper, toilet tissue, and dust mop rentals. Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, recommended that the Board accept the lowest bids meeting specifications.  He noted that bids would not be opened for the purchase of gasoline and diesel until June 28, 2017.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 17-18 school year as shown below:

            Company Submitting Bid

Fuqua Paper                                         1500 Cases of Copy Paper

Price Per Unit:  $26.75

Total for 1408 Cases:  $40,125.00

            Guy Paper & Supply                              600 Cases of Toilet Tissue

Price Per Case:  $26.36

Total for 500 Cases:  $15,816.00

            KAPS Textile Service                             Dust Mop Rentals

                                                            18 inch            .43 each weekly

                                                            36 inch             .70 each weekly

                                                            48 inch             .80 each weekly

                        After a month of study, Lisa Bastion, Chief Academic Officer, asked the Board to approve revisions to the School Wellness policy.

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hancock, that Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to the JGB – School Wellness policy.

George Murphy shared the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget for 17-18, which had increased from $184,473 to $195,018.  He verbalized, and Mr. Mitcham concurred, that the Commission is very efficient and does an excellent job collecting and disbursing sales tax collections.  Mr. Murphy noted that Denise Griggs, the Sales and Use Tax Commission’s Administrator, was in attendance and available to answer any questions about the budget.

 Hearing none, upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2017-2018 Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget with total expenses of $195,018.  

                        It was time to proceed with the purchase of generators for the schools, Maintenance Facility, Bus Barn, and Central Office.  James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, asked for permission to advertise for bids in order to do so.  He reiterated that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would pay approximately 75% of the cost or $162,400.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of generators for the schools, Maintenance Facility, Bus Barn, and Central Office.

                        In accordance with state law, a solicitation for a proposal was sent to the only newspaper in Lincoln Parish prior to naming an official journal for the upcoming year.  George Murphy communicated that the Ruston Daily Leader offered $5.75 per legal square, which was the same as last year, and .25 below the maximum charge of $6.00 per legal square.  He suggested that the Board name them as the official journal. 

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to name the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 17-18.

More policy revisions and an addition were being recommended by the policy service the Board uses, Forethought Consulting.  Lisa Bastion shared the following policies with the proposed changes for members to study until the July meeting:

Revised:           JGCE – Child Abuse;

                                            DJE –Purchasing; and

                                            DJED – Bids and Quotations.

New:                 DIE – Records Retention

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

                        1.   A list of board meeting dates, times, and places from September 2017 through August 2018 was in the back of the packets.  He noted that three meetings were scheduled at 10:30 a.m. in the schools rather than the usual two.

                        2.   About 44 Lincoln Parish educators were attending the State Superintendent’s Teacher/Leader Collaborative in New Orleans with more than 5,000 other educators from around the state.  The latest trends, updates, and curriculums were being shared with school leaders, which was very beneficial for the school system.

                        3.   Also included in packets was a list of the 16-17 retirees.  He specifically mentioned three that are leaving the Central Office who are retiring effective June 30:  Donna Doss, Accountability Coordinator, with 41 years; Mary Null, Assistant Superintendent, with 35.5 years, and Willie Washington, Title I Director, with 46 years.  Their 122 years of experience and expertise will be missed.  Their loss is a significant blow to the school system.  Mr. Milstead said Ms. Null has been invaluable to him over the last several years when different things have been incorporated and some things have stayed the same.  With her experience, he could go to her with questions, and she would always know the answers.  All three supervisors will be difficult to replace he opined.  He urged board members to congratulate the trio and the other retirees when they see them.

                        4.   In answer to a question at the last board meeting, he does intend to move forward with the Capital Outlay Plan over the next 6 months to a year.  Probably between one-half and one million dollars will be spent, and it will be revved up more when the economy allows.  Examples of Capital Outlay smaller projects that will be done in the near future are electronic signs at I. A. Lewis and Glen View and new lockers at RJHS.  At least two special education classrooms are being built at RHS.  A pick up/drop off point at Choudrant Elementary is being considered; however, the cost estimate was quite a bit more than expected.  That will probably be scheduled for next summer.

                        5.   Focus Group meeting dates were distributed, and he encouraged members to sign up for one.  He believes a better understanding of expectations from all stakeholders will be derived from the small group meetings and surveys.  Results will be shared at a later time.

                        6.   A portable inventory as of June 2017 was also distributed.  Of the 9 remaining portables, after this summer only one should be staying at Hillcrest for storage and one at RHS for the special education building project.  Plans are to surplus the one at RHS, and move it next summer.

                        7.   On the subject of an Alternative Calendar School, he had a short NBC video, Brian Williams Summer Learning Loss, shown on the screen.  In Lincoln, plans are progressing on the Alternative Calendar school year.  He shared some specifics including his strong belief that it has to become a priority in Lincoln Parish.  The location will probably be at the two elementary schools with the highest percentage of low income, and students will be allowed to transfer in and out.  Teachers will be surveyed regarding their preferences.  A grant is being considered to pay teachers for the extra time and for the increased cost of food and transportation.  His goal to start the year-round school in June 2018.

                        In lieu of a reception for 2016-2017 retirees, they were presented certificates by Central Office Administrators at their schools or areas of assignment.  President Mitcham called attention to a list of retirees as follows:

                        There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.

__________________________________                      ___________________________________

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