LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

 Tuesday, November 6, 2018   6:00 p.m.

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

Mr. Curtis Dowling and Ms. Lynda Henderson were absent.

President Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed guests.  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 Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted by roll call vote to amend the agenda adding one item of New Business: Change Order #1 for the STEM Center Project.

Upon a motion by Mr. Barmore, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on October 2, 2018, as printed.

Following a month of studying two 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 by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to Bullying and Hazing – JCDAF and Acceptable Use Policy for School Computer Systems and the Internet for Students – IFBGA and the addition of Threats of Terrorism or Violence – JCDAH.

                        George Murphy, Business Manager, stated the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce expires on December 31, 2018.  For the immeasurable value of the benefits received for the $650 membership fee, the Administration recommended the adoption of the revised one-year CEA, which had been prepared by the Board’s attorney, Lewis Jones.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

                        Mr. Murphy explained that the City of Ruston needed to construct sidewalks around the I.A. Lewis School and requested that the Lincoln Parish School Board enter into a Right of Entry Agreement with the city since some of the sidewalks were on school board property. He said that Mr. Jones had reviewed and approved the document.

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Right of Entry Agreement with the City of Ruston.     

                        Three policies were being recommended for revision.  Ms. Bastion asked board members to study the proposed changes toParent Conferences – IHAD, Child Abuse – JGCE, and Student Privacy and Education Records – JR. A vote would be taken at the December 4, 2018, meeting.

                        Change order #1 for the STEM Center project was presented by James Payton, New Construction Coordinator. He explained a decision had been made to relocate the interior security cameras from ceiling mounts to wall mounts, improving the viewing angle of the cameras. This change would require additional wiring and conduits. As part of this change order, he requested rough-in boxes be provided for eight additional exterior cameras. He stated these changes would add $2,066 to the contract price.  

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Hunt, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #1 for the STEM Center project in the amount of $2,066.        

Director of Human Resources, Dr. Doris Lewis, continued with a personnel report.  She communicated the following information:

1.    Retirement of Betty Hinton, computer proctor at Choudrant Elementary, effective December 28, 2018.

2.   Resignation of Matthew Sumrall, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective October 26, 2018. 

3.   Employment of Antwanette Lewis, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective October 10, 2018, in a new position and

Samantha Till, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective October 22, 2018, replacing Catrina Crowe who transferred.

4.   Point of Reference/Transfer of Catrina Crowe from Ruston Elementary to teacher at Cypress Springs effective October 22, 2018, replacing Matthew Sumrall who resigned.

                        5.   Resignation of Herbert Wilson, custodian at Ruston High, effective October 2, 2018.

                        6.    Employment of Aundra Keesee, custodian at Ruston High, effective October 17, 2018, replacing Herbert Wilson who resigned.

                        7.   Disability retirement of James Bonner, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective September 25, 2018.

                       8.  Retirement of Anne Waldron, bus operator in the Simsboro area, effective November 26, 2018.

                        9.  Employment of Leslie Washington, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective October 22, 2018, replacing James Bonner who retired.

                       10.   Employment of the following effective November 7, 2018:

                              Natalie Trosclair, cafeteria technician at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Harriet Dunn who retired and          

            Melissa Bennett, cafeteria technician at Simsboro School, replacing Betty Albritton who resigned.       

                         Mr. Payton narrated several photographs and gave the following construction update:

                        1.   Progress was being made at the STEM site, despite the bad weather we have had in the last few weeks. The cinder block exterior walls were up, and construction would immediately begin on the cinder block interior walls. The steel work was 50% complete, while plumbing and electrical work should be complete by mid-December. He stated that hopefully the roof would be on in January.              

                        2.   Lincoln Parish Police Jury had completed clearing the land at Choudrant Elementary in preparation for the construction of the new access road to be built on the west side of the campus. The debris was being buried now, and the next step would be hauling in dirt for the road bed. Once complete, the road would be able to accommodate 230 vehicles, making it safer for car riders. He praised LPPJ for the work they were doing.         

                        3.   The recently acquired property adjacent to Choudrant High has been cleared. The previous owner had the timber cut and LPSB had the limbs, trash, and debris piled in one area on the property. Rye grass had been planted, and at some point the pile of debris would be burned. He stated how valuable this property is to the school board because of its proximity to Choudrant High.          

                        Sales tax collections for the month ending October 31, 2018, were down 16.24% compared to the same month last year and down $740,000 or 11.79% year-to-date, according to George Murphy.  

                        Moving on to the September 2018 Financial Update, Mr. Murphy said when compared to last month, the Total Fund Balance was down $1.1 million.  When compared to September 2017, the balance was down $4.8 million.

Mr. Murphy noted that the self-insured Health Care Fund was down $116,000 for the month of September 2018 and down $49,000 year-to-date.  

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

                        1.   He would like to thank Hill Oil Company’s generosity for donating the approximately ¾ acre piece of property adjacent to the STEM site.  Hill Oil would be able to use the piece of property for their own drainage purposes.     

                        2.   He and Mr. Mitcham had re-signed the lease agreement with Head Start for an additional 90 days. Negotiations were still ongoing with the city concerning the property.

                        3.   Information would be released this week relating to the Student Performance Scores and the District Performance Score. DPS is based on the accumulated value of all district student scores. DPS is an indicator of what the students are accomplishing. He felt good about and was pleased with the growth in the district. The initial indication is that under the old calculator, this year’s score would be higher than last year. He praised the district and stated the teachers were doing a super job. The board supported those that were in the classroom getting the job done. He asked board members to thank teachers if they saw them. Teachers had responded to all they had been asked to do and were to be commended. At a meeting with Monroe business leaders, he heard kudos to Lincoln Parish and all we do.                           

                        4.   Information received regarding School Performance Scores and District Performance Scores would be emailed to board members.    

                        There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

_______________________________                            _______________________________

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