LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Central Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were 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.
Ms. Debbie Abrahm was absent.
President Joe Mitcham called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and gave the invocation. Mr. Dowling led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 3, 2018, as distributed.
Kay Bradford, Grant Writer, was privileged to introduce Norman Hanes, CFO of the Lincoln Health Foundation, and Dr. Jackie White, Medical Director of the Health Hut, which is primarily funded by the Foundation. She turned the floor over to Mr. Hanes.
A brief update was given by Mr. Hanes regarding the tremendous partnership between the entities. He thanked the Board for allowing him to speak for the third year in a row, for 1/3 of their board members who are all former employees of the school system, and for Ms. Bradford who continues to work with them. A Community Needs Assessment in 2009 indicated a very real need for adults and children in Lincoln Parish to access the health care system. Kay Bradford and former school nurse, Sonja Cardwell, helped prepare a HEALS grant, which in a very real way benefits the students in the parish by providing school nurses, nursing supplies, a mental health professional at Ruston Elementary, and other important aspects of providing care to the school students. Since 2008 the Lincoln Health Foundation has funded $2.2 million directly into the HEALS program and a little more than $2.5 million when adding in other programs funded on behalf of Lincoln Parish students. About 1½ to 2 years ago they expanded their involvement and added support of the Back Pack Program (addressing student hunger) and employed Dr. Jackie White, an ER physician, with the primary role of Medical Director of the Health Hut.
Following meetings with Ms. Bradford, Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln ACHIEVE Coordinator, school nurses, other staff, and area doctors and nurses, Dr. White began exploring ideas and needs to keep the students healthy, in the classrooms, and focused. Besides the 8 nurses who will be in the schools in the fall of 2018, two new initiatives she’d like to implement that they believe will have enormous implications are:
1. Giving 7 over-the-counter medications at school (at the discretion of the school nurse or office staff) and acting as an intervention to get the students in to see physicians in a more timely manner; and
2. A pilot study at Simsboro using Telemedicine, which would involve committing a nurse there 5 days a week and having access to the Health Hut if the child’s own provider is not readily available. To provide school-based health care while not trying to compete with the medical community is their goal.
Mr. Mitcham and Mr. Milstead thanked Mr. Hanes, Dr. White, and the Lincoln Health Foundation for all they are doing for the students in Lincoln Parish schools.
In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, shared the following:
1. Retirement of the following effective May 22, 2018, unless otherwise stated:
Becky Gemelli, Administrative Assistant at Central Office, effective June 30, 2018;
Angela Thomas, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Roycelyn Harrison, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant High, effective May 21, 2018;
Zilla Cone, English teacher at Choudrant High;
Sharon Morgan Smith, math teacher at Choudrant High;
Janet Burse, special education teacher at Cypress Springs;
Leigh Ann Horton, physical education teacher at Hillcrest;
Nancy Waldron, itinerant talented art teacher;
Jan Norwood, special education teacher at Ruston High;
Reba Daniel, special education teacher at Ruston High; and
Sue Price, math teacher at Ruston Junior High.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 22, 2018, unless otherwise stated:
Laura Davidson, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Amber Hilburn, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Emily Allen, teacher at Glen View;
Madison Guy, ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis;
Gregory Scott Caudle, math teacher at Ruston High, effective April 15, 2018;
Mariam Stone, family and consumer science teacher at Ruston High;
James Andrew Robinson, physical education/coach at Ruston High, effective April 9, 2018;
Nicole Vermaelen, math teacher at Ruston High;
Tess Stevenson, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High; and
Kalyn Jordan, elementary teacher at Simsboro High.
3. Points of Reference effective July 1, 2018:
Kim McCormack, from Insurance Financial Specialist at Central Office to Executive Assistant at Central Office, replacing Becky Gemelli who retired; and
Sandra Woods, from Secretary/Bookkeeper at Cypress Springs to Insurance Financial Specialist at Central Office, replacing Kim McCormack who transferred.
4. Retirement of Barbara Sowers, custodian at Choudrant Elementary, effective May 26, 2018.
5. Resignation of Quintin Crowe, custodian at Simsboro High, effective April 13, 2018.
6. Employment of the following effective August 8, 2018;
Deborah Roton, custodian at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Barbara Sowers who retired; and
Roger Candler, custodian at Simsboro High, replacing Quintin Crowe who resigned.
7. Retirement of the following:
Janis Nelson, cafeteria manager at Lincoln Parish Early Childhood, effective June 29, 2018; and
Kathy Tatum, cafeteria technician at LPECC, effective May 22, 2018.
8. Resignation of Betty Albritton, cafeteria technician at Simsboro High, effective April 5, 2018.
Superintendent Mike Milstead introduced several personnel in attendance who are transferring positions in the near future. Each of these changes is very positive for the Lincoln Parish school system. Ricky Durrett, Principal at RHS, will be transferring to the Central Office as Secondary Supervisor over the high schools. Dan Gressett has been an Assistant Principal at RHS for several years and will move to the position of Interim Principal replacing Mr. Durrett for the 2018-2019 school year. Daryl Savage will relocate to the Central Office as Technology Facilitator from Principal at RJHS. Replacing Mr. Savage as Principal will be John Young who is currently the Principal at I. A. Lewis. Keshia Osborne, Assistant Principal at RJHS for the last 7 years, will transfer to I. A. Lewis as Interim Principal for the 2018-2019 school year.
Sales taxes collected for the period ending April 30, 2018, were down 3.89% compared to March. Year-to-date the fund was up 6.17%, George Murphy, Business Manager, reported.
Moving on to the financial statement for March 2018, Mr. Murphy said the Total Fund Balance was down $1.6 million in February 2018, and down approximately $4 million compared to March 2017.
In his Health Care Fund report, Mr. Murphy said it is a pretty good year so far. He had two months to report, but went over March’s numbers. Year-to-date figures were up $601,000. Looking at details as far as operations, the fund was up $275,000 year-to-date for the first three months. Incurred but not reported expenses, which fluctuate month to month, accounted for $325,000. He will continue to closely monitor the fund and will be meeting with the Health Care broker during the month of May. The changes made last year have made a positive difference, but additional recommendations may have to be made going forward.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, narrated several pictures in his construction update.
1. The contractor for the RHS special education project reported he is not only on schedule, but he is ahead of schedule. He mentioned that the contractor is doing a great job, and the workmanship is very good. The building will be ready in August.
2. In a picture of the RHS freshman parking lot, he pointed out the embankment that had been corrected. He also noted that the lot is being used every day and students are taking advantage of the new spaces.
3. The RHS football scoreboard project will be a two part process; the renovation of the existing press box and the actual placement of the new scoreboard. June 30, 2018, is the expected completion date. Training will be provided to RHS students and/or faculty to operate the new scoreboard.
4. The proposed site for the STEM building was shown in a photograph of the RJHS campus. Bids for this project will be opened on May 15, 2018. Pending the results of the bids and Board approval, construction will begin. Mike Walpole, Project Architect, reported that Hill Oil is planning to donate an adjacent piece of property that will be used for a detention basin. It will be made large enough so that if Hill Oil develops a portion of the property, it will accommodate their needs as well. A city sewer line will be brought up from the back of RJHS that would also be available to Hill Oil if they develop the property in the future.
Mr. Payton stated that three bids for the Choudrant High School baseball field lighting project were opened at 2:00 p.m. today, May 1, 2018, in the Board Room at Lincoln Parish School Board. The bids ranged from $178,000 to $203,281; after reviewing these the administration recommended to accept the lowest qualified bid.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest qualified bid and award that contractor the Choudrant High School baseball field lighting project.
Mr. Milstead reported that planning for the Enhanced School Calendar has gone amazingly well. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and bus drivers are all in place. This is a unique program for the State of Louisiana, and there seems to be a lot of chatter and excitement throughout the state. This program, the first of its kind in Louisiana, will extend an extra 30 days of instruction to 507 students. The overall cost is approximately $748,521; only $543,859 will be General Fund expenditures. The remaining costs will be paid by other programs. The overall cost is less than 1% of the original proposed budget given to the Board in 2017. The goal down the road is to eliminate as much summer learning loss as possible.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Enhanced School Calendar procedures.
President Mitcham announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing and for public comments regarding the adoption of a resolution levying ad valoren tax millages for 2018. He announced the Board would now go into public hearing and turned to floor over to George Murphy.
Mr. Murphy asked for public questions or comments. Hearing none, he stated that the time had arrived to adopt millages for 2018. He stated that the millage rates being recommended remain the same as last year. Last year there was an election on 3 parish wide millage renewals which all passed. This year we had 2 millage renewals for maintenance and operation taxes in Choudrant and Dubach. These millages do not actually take effect this year. Three take effect next year and two take effect the year after that. Hearing no questions or comments, Mr. Murphy asked the Board to adopt a Resolution, which he read in full, to levy the millages.
Mr. Mitcham asked if any of the public or board members had questions. Hearing none he asked for the Board’s pleasure regarding the matter.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the resolution to levy millages for 2018 as follows:
Resolution
Constitutional Tax (La. Const. Art. VII, Sect. 13) 3.91 mills
Special Maintenance & Operation 4.57 mills
Special Repair & Equipment 4.57 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 9.47 mills
Parish wide Maintenance & Operation 7.84 mills
Ruston School District #1 2.28 mills
Simsboro School District #3 2.99 mills
Dubach School District #5 3.25 mills
Choudrant School District #6 2.64 mills
General Obligation Bonds Ruston SD #1 11.00 mills
General Obligation Bonds Simsboro SD #3 7.25 mills
General Obligation Bonds Choudrant SD #6 18.00 mills
Voting by roll call FOR the above motion: Otha Anders, Michael Barmore, Lisa Best, Curtis Dowling, David Ferguson, Danny Hancock, Lynda Henderson, Trott Hunt, George Mack, Jr., Joe Mitcham, and Susan Wiley.
Voting AGAINST the motion: None.
Absent and not voting: Debbie Abrahm.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Milstead said:
1. Bids for the STEM building will be opened at the School Board office on May 15. The goal is for construction to begin the last of June or the first of July. It will be a 10 month project, and it should be ready for the 2019 school year.
2. A Language Immersion program will begin this fall at the Early Childhood Center. The district will allow 40 students to take classes in a language other than English. These students will have the opportunity to learn math, science, and social studies in French. He has seen several programs throughout the state. The effect it has on the minds of “high poverty” students is pretty dramatic. The goal is to expand next year to kindergarteners and continue expansion until it is offered through 5th grade.
3. Dubach and Choudrant millage renewal results were awesome. Every box at Choudrant voted for it; he doesn’t know if this has ever happened before. These millages ensure that the schools are kept in great shape. Rarely do you see facilities like we have in our district. This is because local citizens vote for these millages to make sure our schools are kept up in an appropriate way. Voters of Lincoln Parish have done their due diligence to make sure that we are doing the right thing for our students.
4. Recognition of retirees would again be done at their schools or locations in lieu of a reception in the lobby of the Central Office. He believes that was fitting last year and appreciated by the retirees. Board members were invited to attend.
5. Enhance School Calendar schools will have Open Houses next week. Glen View’s will be Tuesday, May 8, at 5:30 and Cypress Springs’ will be Thursday, May 10, at 5:00. He is hoping for 100% participation from parents. Board members and the media were invited to attend.
6. High school graduations begin in two weeks with the first one, Choudrant, on Monday (14th), followed by Ruston High’s on Tuesday (15th), and finally Simsboro’s on Wednesday (16th). Board members were encouraged to attend.
7. The Tier 3 Financial Disclosure forms need to be completed by May 15.
8. Ms. Lisa Bastion, Chief Academic Officer, is working on the industrial tax exemption guidelines. The State of Louisiana has issued guidelines on how we as a district will accept applications from those who would like to be tax exempt. We are trying to coordinate these guidelines with the City of Ruston and the Police Jury who are both involved as well. Hopefully this will be ready by the next board meeting.
9. There have been questions regarding Jackson Parish students attending Choudrant schools. In 3-5 years it is estimated there will be 1,000 students attending school in Choudrant. At this time, we don’t have the building facilities to accommodate that number. One way to alleviate that problem is to have the approximately 75 students that live in Jackson Parish attend school in their district. A plan has been devised in cooperation with Mr. David Claxton, Jackson Parish Superintendent, to transition these students back to Jackson Parish over the next four years. This was not an easy decision; however long-term it is the feeling that this is best for our school system.
After comments from several board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Mike Milstead, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President