LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, February 6, 2018  6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Office located at 410 South Farmerville Street in Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Michael Barmore, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Trott Hunt, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.

Mr. Curtis Dowling was absent.

President Mitcham called the meeting to order.  The invocation was given by Mr. Anders, and Mr. Mack led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the agenda as amended adding 5.1.c. from the Building and Grounds Committee:  Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with City of Ruston concerning the exchange of Lincoln Center for the Capital Outlay expense planned at the new Ruston Sports Complex.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 9, 2018, as presented.

A Building and Ground Committee meeting was held prior to the Regular Session.  Chairman Trott Hunt shared information on three items following that meeting.

1.   A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with Hico Baptist Church on property that is adjacent to the Church was approved and was being recommended to the full Board.

Joe Mitcham asked Board members what their pleasure was concerning the Committee’s recommendation to approve the CEA between the LPSB and Hico Baptist Church regarding the Board’s property.

The Board unanimously voted to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement transferring Hico Elementary School property of approximately 11 acres to Hico Baptist Church with the School Board retaining mineral rights where applicable.

                        2.   Mr. Hunt said the next item was a request by the administration to pursue the purchase of property adjacent to Ruston Junior High to facilitate planned expansion.  The Committee discussed and voted to recommend the approval of the purchase of the property to the Board.

Superintendent Mike Milstead said conversations had occurred with a representative from Hill Oil, and they seemed amenable.  An appraisal would be secured and if the Board grants permission, a purchase price (not to exceed the appraised value and possibly the appraisal cost) would be negotiated.  He did indicate that an environmental study should be done because gasoline tanks were underground.  The land owner will be asked to provide the study.

Mr. Mitcham reiterated the recommendation from the Building and Grounds Committee to purchase about ¾ of an acre of land needed for future projects that might include the STEM Center and a 6^th grade building.  He asked for a vote.

The Board unanimously voted to allow the Superintendent to enter into negotiations, pending an appraisal, for the purchase of property east of Ruston Junior High for drainage purposes involved in future expansion.

3.   The final recommendation to come from the Committee was the pursuit of a CEA with the City of Ruston concerning the possible exchange of Lincoln Center for Capital Outlay expense for the Sports Complex.

President Mitcham asked for the Board’s position concerning the recommendation.

The Board unanimously voted to allow the Superintendent to pursue a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Ruston concerning the exchange of Lincoln Center and its associated property for the Capital Outlay expense planned at the new Ruston Sports Complex.

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

                        1.   Resignation of the following: 

Sherryl Morgan, teacher at I.A. Lewis effective January 8, 2018; and

Amee Brinkley, teacher at I.A. Lewis effective January 31, 2018.

2.   Employment of the following:

Jasmine Ayatey, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary effective January 19, 2018, replacing Kristie Braud who resigned;

Sarah Pender, teacher at Cypress Springs   Elementary effective January 16, 2018, replacing Evanie Tims who resigned; and

Mary Spillers, special education/inclusion teacher at Ruston Junior High School effective February 1, 2018, replacing Donna Cross who resigned. 

3.   Resignation of Shalacy Collins, cafeteria clerk/technician at Simsboro High effective January 19, 2018.

4.   Retirement of Odessa Thompson, cafeteria technician at Ruston Elementary effective February 3, 2018.

5.   Resignation of Roger Atkins, custodian at Glen View Elementary effective January 31, 2018.

6.   Employment of the following:

Deborah Roton, custodian at Cypress Springs Elementary effective January 16, 2018, replacing Tracey Nelson who transferred; and

Mickey Murphy, in a new electrician position at the Maintenance Facility effective February 12, 2018.   

According to George Murphy, Business Manager, sales tax collections for the period ending January 31, 2018, were $1,687,000, which was a 4.71% increase compared to the same month last year and 12.45% or $1.2 million year-to-date.  He noted it was a good year so far.  Recoveries through audits were $54,000, but year-to-date those were still down 33%.

In the end of December 2017 financial report, Mr. Murphy said the Total Fund Balance was down $1.2 million compared to December 2016 and up over $900,000 compared to last month.

                        The period ending December 2017, was not a good year for the health plan.  Year-to-date there was a loss of $1.6 million.  Over $4 million in reserves at the start of the year shrunk to about $2.8 million.  George Murphy believes changes the Board made that took effect in January 2018 will turn the health care plan around, but if not, more changes will be coming.

                        In a construction report, James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, narrated pictures and said weather had been a factor in both projects:

1.   Dirt work was complete on a parking lot on the west side of the Ruston High School stadium.  Concrete curbs were to be put down followed by asphalt and striping. This will result in 91 new parking places. 

2.   The slab was poured a couple of weeks ago and block layers were working on the construction of RHS special education building.  External walls were finished and internal work would be next.  The building should be ready by the start of school in August 2018.

                        Following a month of studying three policy revisions and one policy addition, Lisa Bastion, Assistant Superintendent, asked board members to approve the proposed changes to the policy manual.

Upon a motion Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to Sick Leave – GBRIB, Sale of Buildings and Land – DFN, and Recruitment – GBC and the addition of Authorized Use of Equipment – ECA.

                        As the parish’s policy for promotion and retention of students, the Pupil Progression Plan (PPP), is based on Bulletin 1566, Bulletin 741, and Act 750 (R.S. 17:24.4) of the Louisiana State Legislature.  Michelle Thrower, Pupil Progression Chair, asked that revisions to the 2017-2018 PPP be approved in order to be in full compliance with all state regulations.  She indicated that an entire copy of the PPP was available for review.

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Barmore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised 2017-2018 Lincoln Parish Pupil Progression Plan.

Since the installation of 13 generators had been completed, James Payton, suggested that Substantial Completion documents be executed after thorough review by the architect and him.  He reminded board members that approximately 75% of the $241,000 cost would be reimbursed by FEMA.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the Superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute Substantial Completion documents for the purchase and installation of generators at the schools, Bus Barn, Central Office, and Maintenance Facility.

                        Five more policy manual revisions and one deletion had been recommended by Forethought, the policy manual service.  Lisa Bastion asked members to study revisions to Child Nutrition Program Management - EE, English Learner Program - IDDH, Parent and Family Engagement - IFD, Parental Rights/Student Rights of Privacy - IFDA, Student Privacy and Education Records - JR, and the deletion of Supplemental Educational Services – IDCJ until the next meeting.  She noted that most of the changes replaced No Child Left Behind with the new Every Student Succeeds Act.

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

                        1.     Registration information for the LSBA convention was placed in portfolios.  Although many hours of training can be obtained, the one hour of Campaign Finance Disclosure still needed by 8 members would not be available at the convention.  Board members would have to go online before the end of the year to get that hour of training. 

                        2.     A Legislative Luncheon will be hosted by the Caddo Parish School Board on Monday, February 12; however, the deadline to RSVP is tomorrow.  Lincoln Parish board members are invited to attend.

                        3.     Negotiations are continuing with the insurance company regarding the building that burned on October 17, 2017.  He commended Architect Mike Walpole for his work and the way he has helped.

                        4.     He appreciated board members who attended meetings with the public last week on the Enhanced School Calendar.  Positive feedback was received.  Four meetings at the schools are being scheduled for parents and students.  About 110 students have been enrolled in the K-2 program to date.  A tentative deadline of February 16 has been set.  A lottery system will be used if more than 500 students enroll.

                        5.     The LPSB will post a 2018 Form 470 for ERATE Category 2 services requesting proposals for technology items to include access points, switches and internal broadband connections to enhance our connectivity.  ERATE, a federal government program, funds about 90% of the costs for the district’s broadband technology.  He stressed the importance of technology as most testing is now done online. 

                        6.     A Ruston High School cheerleader was present.  He communicated that they had recently won a National Championship and commended them and their sponsors for all of their hard work.

Chairman Joe Mitcham said Committee Assignments for 2018 were included in packets and placed in portfolios.

After a comment from one board member, the meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Best.

_______________________________    _______________________________

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