LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at 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. David Ferguson, Dr. David Gullatt, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
Ms. Lynda Henderson was absent.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed guests to the meeting.
Mr. Mack gave the invocation, and Ms. Lisa Bastion, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 9, 2019, as submitted.
Superintendent Mike Milstead voiced that two years ago, the process began to come up with an alternative plan for retirees’ insurance. The initial plan was good, but we asked Blue Cross to revise some areas, and they came back with improvements. He stated that a copy of the proposed plan was in each board member’s portfolio. He believes that Blue Cross has “struck gold” with the plan they are offering. Letters would be mailed tomorrow to the retirees with details regarding a meeting to be held at the Ruston Civic Center on August 29, at 10:00 a.m. Blue Cross would bring several representatives to answer individual questions the retirees might have. He would be coming back in September to ask the Board to adopt the plan that will save the district approximately $580,000 per year. This plan would make the insurance program more viable for the future.
George Murphy, CFO/Business Manager, delivered the sales tax collection report for the period ending July 31, 2019. He reported collections for the first month of the new fiscal year were down 7.26% compared to the same month last year. He and Ms. Juanita Duke would meet at the end of the week with Denise Griggs from the Sales and Use Tax Commission regarding projections for future collections. Recoveries through audits were also down.
The self-insured health care fund was up $274,793 the month of June and up $344,957 year-to-date according to Mr. Murphy.
The following personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director:
1. Retirement of George Murphy, Chief Financial Officer at Central Office, effective November 11, 2019.
2. Resignation of the following:
Victoria Johnson, social studies teacher at Choudrant High, effective July 11, 2019;
Clinton Blazier, teacher at Dubach Elementary, effective August 1, 2019;
Candace Doria, curriculum strategist at Glen View, effective June 27, 2019;
Erica White, teacher at Glen View, effective July 25, 2019;
Meredith Sanders, teacher at Hillcrest, effective July 3, 2019;
Jaimie Simpson, math teacher at I.A. Lewis, effective July 11, 2019;
Shunda Lloyd, special education teacher at I.A. Lewis, effective July 25, 2019;
Kyle Miller, math teacher at I.A. Lewis, effective July 23, 2019;
Emily Kozar, early childhood teacher at LPECC, effective July 11, 2019;
Kathryn Taylor, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 31, 2019;
Amanda Cauley, speech teacher at Ruston High, effective July 22, 2019;
Brooklynn Coley, math teacher at Ruston High, effective June 27, 2019;
Rose Kebe, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective July 8, 2019;
Kyle Kavanaugh, social studies teacher/coach at Simsboro School, effective July 17, 2019; and
Catherine Letendre, coordinator at Youth Rescue Center, effective July 18, 2019.
3. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 7, 2019, unless noted otherwise:
Morgan Northern, from Ruston Elementary to speech therapist at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Diana Grigsby who retired;
Amber DeVaux, from regular education to special education inclusion at Choudrant High, replacing Scott Heirs who transferred;
Joia Clark-Crowe, from special education inclusion to regular education at Cypress Springs, replacing Ashley Butler who resigned;
Antwanette Lewis, from the behavior room to special education inclusion at Cypress Springs, replacing Erin Taylor who transferred;
Diamond Mitchell, from Hillcrest to teacher at Dubach Elementary, replacing Ann-Elizabeth Brown who resigned;
Stephanie Moran, from teacher to curriculum strategist at Glen View effective July 31, 2019, replacing Candace Doria who resigned;
Rebekah Long, from self-contained to special education inclusion at Glen View, replacing Sandi Singleton who resigned;
Heather Roussell, from itinerant STAR teacher to teacher at Hillcrest, due to an increase in 1st grade numbers and a new position;
Samantha Garner, from LPECC to teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Jasmine Stafford who resigned;
Tatum Mitchell, from Ruston Junior High to ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Tracy Barnes who transferred;
Erin Taylor, from regular education at Cypress Springs to special education at I.A. Lewis, replacing Karmyn McLeroy who resigned;
Patrick Findley, from Simsboro School to assistant principal at I.A. Lewis effective July 10, 2019, replacing Dr. Sheri Robken who retired;
Stanley Lewis, from discipline coordinator to electives teacher at I.A. Lewis effective July 24, 2019, replacing Angelica Sanders-Moline who resigned;
Maria De La Calle, from Ruston Junior High/Simsboro School to language proctor at I.A. Lewis/Ruston Junior High;
Karen Anderson, from teacher to assistant pre-k coordinator at LPECC, replacing Melinda Killen who transferred;
Kristen Poe, from regular education at Cypress Springs to special education at LPECC, replacing Karen Anderson who transferred;
Jaimee Hudson, from teacher at Ruston Junior High to curriculum strategist at Ruston Elementary effective July 31, 2019, replacing Shannon Perot who retired;
Cynthia Eaton, from teacher to interventionist at Ruston Elementary, replacing Pam Owen who retired;
Gloria Miller, from librarian at Choudrant High to computer proctor at Ruston Elementary;
Shannon Lee, from Choudrant High to assistant principal at Ruston High effective July 10, 2019, replacing Britton Oubre who transferred;
Rebecca Edmondson, from science teacher to math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Joe Aulds who transferred;
Tracy Barnes, from regular education at I.A. Lewis to special education inclusion at Ruston Junior High, replacing Letitia Freeman who retired;
Britton Oubre, from Ruston High to assistant principal at Ruston Junior High effective July 10, 2019, replacing Jerald Kennedy who transferred; and
Jerald Kennedy, from Ruston Junior High to assistant principal at Simsboro School effective July 10, 2019, replacing Patrick Findley who transferred.
4. Employment of the following, effective August 7, 2019, unless otherwise noted:
Juanita Duke, Chief Financial Officer at Central Office effective August 1, 2019, replacing George Murphy who retired;
Allison Smith, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Teresa Shrell who retired;
Kelly Washam, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Justin White who resigned;
Amanda Davis, math teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Rhonda Cox who resigned;
Amanda Lee, ELA teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Amber DeVaux who transferred;
Kari McGuire, social studies teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Shannon Lee who transferred;
Megan McKinnon, social studies teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Victoria Johnson who resigned;
Emilie Barnes, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Sarah Hudson who resigned;
Jordan Boston, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Amy Colvin who resigned;
Janet Davis, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Bethany Schimmel who resigned;
Melissa Orsini, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Kristen Poe who transferred;
Jessica Smith, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Shannon McMillian who resigned;
Brittney Shambro, teacher at Dubach Elementary, replacing Clinton Blazier who resigned;
Chelsie Fortenberry, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Taylor Wyatt who resigned;
Teila Lee, special education teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Diamond Mitchell who transferred;
Rebecca Sutherland, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Meredith Sanders who resigned;
Sarah Geeraerts, French Immersion at Glen View, replacing Dr. Tracy Bennett who resigned;
Kacy Rondeau, French Immersion at Glen View, replacing Kenya Morris who resigned;
Marissa Nugent, itinerant music teacher, replacing Amy Crittenden who resigned;
Amanda Farley, math teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Jaimie Simpson who resigned;
Jeremy Huckeba, health/physical education teacher at I.A. Lewis effective July 10, 2019, replacing Shannon Chase Frasier who resigned;
Rebecca Smith, science teacher at I. A. Lewis, replacing Kimberly Cormier who resigned;
Clemence Jacob, French Immersion at LPECC, replacing Stacy Allbritton who resigned;
Russ Brantley, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Susan Newman who resigned;
Katie Golden, speech therapist at Ruston Elementary, replacing Morgan Northern who transferred;
Emily Knight, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Cynthia Eaton who transferred;
Dana Morris, speech teacher at Ruston High, replacing Amanda Cauley who resigned;
Bailey Driskill, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Mary deMarigny who resigned;
Emilee Pate, science teacher at Ruston High, replacing Rebecca Edmondson who transferred;
Kelli Edwards, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Deborah Martin who retired;
Emily Littlefield, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Brooklynn Coley who resigned;
Amanda Magee, special education teacher at Ruston High, replacing Kim Goree who transferred;
Ross Wiersma, world history teacher/coach at Ruston High effective July 11, 2019, replacing Dustin Serpas who transferred;
Courtney Martin, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Jack Wasson who resigned;
Anna Deutschman, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Jaimee Hudson who transferred;
Shelby Green, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Bettye Slocum who resigned;
Christi McAdams, art teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Rebecca Strickler who resigned;
Christine Whan, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Tatum Mitchell who transferred;
Jordan Parks, ELA teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Zandria Guidry who resigned;
Willie Butler, special education teacher at Ruston Junior, due to increase in special education numbers and a new position; and
Darien Dukes, social studies teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Joseph Kemp who resigned.
5. Resignation of Leslie Colwell, cafeteria manager at Ruston Elementary, effective July 25, 2019.
6. Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective July 31, 2019:
Taylor Pate from Cypress Springs to cafeteria technician at Choudrant High, replacing Gloria Gates who resigned;
Lori Blair from Simsboro School to cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs, replacing Tammy Brazzel who resigned;
Mary Walker from I.A. Lewis to cafeteria technician at Glen View, replacing Tameka Patton who transferred to clerk;
Nancy Calhoun from Dubach Elementary to cafeteria technician at Hillcrest, replacing Virginia Sanderson who resigned;
Tameka Patton from Glen View to cafeteria clerk at I.A. Lewis, replacing Catherine Holyfield who promoted to manager;
Catherine Holyfield from cafeteria clerk to cafeteria manager at I.A. Lewis, replacing Marci Mathis who promoted to field manager; and
Alethea Gipson from cafeteria technician to cafeteria clerk at Ruston High, replacing Dana Rushing who promoted to manager.
7. Employment of the following effective July 31, 2019:
Kimberly Ruby, cafeteria technician at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Jacqueline Burks who was terminated;
Angela Davis, cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs, replacing Taylor Pate who transferred;
Emori Mathis, cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs, replacing Sarah Crane who resigned;
Christina Deese, cafeteria technician at Dubach Elementary, replacing Nancy Calhoun who transferred;
Pamela Barnes, cafeteria technician at I.A. Lewis, replacing Mary Walker who transferred;
Regina Walker, cafeteria technician at LPECC, replacing Annette Davis who retired;
Kathleen Roberts, cafeteria technician at Ruston Elementary, replacing Leslie Colwell who resigned;
Cassandra Grant, cafeteria technician at Ruston Elementary, replacing Odessa Thompson who retired;
Jacklin Williams, cafeteria technician at Ruston High, due to an increase in student participation and a new position;
Venus Goldsmith, cafeteria technician at Ruston High, replacing Alethea Gipson who promoted to clerk;
Vanessa Beales, cafeteria technician at Simsboro, due to an increase in student participation and a new position; and
Juanita Peterson, cafeteria technician at Simsboro, replacing Lori Blair who transferred.
8. Employment of the following effective August 1, 2019:
Sharon Farris, custodian at Cypress Springs, replacing Melissa Owens who resigned;
Johnny Ray Abney, custodian at Cypress Springs, replacing Tracey Nelson who resigned;
Jerry Touchstone, custodian at Glen View, replacing Angela Coleman who was terminated;
Lamessia Williams, custodian at Glen View, replacing Vickie Modest who retired; and
Marilyn Dade, custodian at Ruston Junior High, replacing Brenda Washington who resigned.
9. Retirement of Renae Dickerson, bus operator in the Choudrant area, effective August 1, 2019, and
Sandra Holloway, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective July 27, 2019.
10. Employment of the following effective August 8, 2019:
Lori Rawls, bus operator in the Choudrant area, replacing Renae Dickerson who retired;
Nathaniel Burks, bus operator in the Dubach area, replacing Marcus Kay who resigned; and
Jennifer Scott, bus operator in the Ruston area, replacing Pat Vanosdell who retired.
In a construction report, Mr. James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, narrated several pictures:
1. Choudrant Elementary carline road was close to being complete. Workers were compacting the road this morning; oil, tar, and gravel would be applied next week. In order to secure the campus at Choudrant Elementary, a new 6’ chain link fence was being installed.
2. Ruston High School track was completely finished. Canvas covers have been purchased to protect the track from heavy pedestrian traffic.
3. Construction on the RHS press box was under way. Steel work would begin Monday. This was a 60-day project and should be complete by the end of September.
4. The STEM Center was complete. Furniture and technology should arrive next week.
5. A very steep driveway between Ruston Junior High School and the bus barn needed to be repaired before school starts. This was caused due to the construction on Tarbutton Road. The construction company that worked on that project performed the repair work.
6. The service road adjacent to Ruston Junior High will be open for the first day of school. The Tarbutton Bridge should be open on September 2.
Following a month of studying two policy revisions, Ms. Bastion asked board members to approve the proposed changes to the policy manual.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to GBRK – Annual Leave and JGCB – Immunizations.
Superintendent Milstead stated that bids were opened today at 2:00 p.m. for the Ruston High School lights and poles. There were three bidders on the project, and the bid tabulation sheet was in the board members’ portfolios. There was a complicating factor in that GeoSport Lighting was the lowest bidder on the base bid but when you add the Additive Alternate #1, Albritton’s was the lowest bidder. The question was whether the Additive Alternate was necessary. That determination would be made early next week when electrical engineers would test the poles. Architect Mike Walpole explained that it was unclear as to whether the wiring in the conduits were damaged when the poles were blown down. Mr. Milstead asked the board for permission to accept the lowest bid after the testing was complete.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid for the reconstruction of Ruston High School football field lights as replacement for damaged lights and poles associated with the April 2019 tornado.
Board members were reminded by Mr. Murphy that each fall schools are allocated monies from the 1979 sales tax fund to provide supplements for additional library supplies ($2.50), classroom supplies ($3.75), office supplies and equipment repair/purchase ($4.00), expenses for student services ($3.75), debate and speech ($2.00), band allotment ($3.50 at I. A. Lewis, $3.85 at junior high, and $10.00 at high school), and pre-k/kindergarten ($120.00 per teacher). These funds are distributed on a per pupil basis and sent directly to the schools to be disbursed by the principal. He recommended sending the per pupil allotments shown above which were the same amounts as last year. If approved, the total amount to be disbursed to the schools would be $107,893.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Barmore the Board unanimously voted to approve the fall allocations of school instructional supply money as outlined on the schedule noted by Mr. Murphy.
Change order #2 on the STEM Center was presented by Mr. Payton. Item #1 was the installation of a water line regulator that was required due to the high-pressure (75# - 120#) of the existing service line from the City of Ruston. If this regulator was not installed, it runs the risk of “blowing out” gaskets in some of the interior plumbing fixtures. Part of the price of this change order was to change fittings from plastic to copper.
Item #2 was to omit the new concrete swale on the south side of the building and regrade the area between the new building and the I-20 service road. The I-20 overpass project was ahead of schedule, which allowed new grading work to be done now, instead of at a later date. The omission resulted at no cost.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #2 for water regulator installment at the STEM Center and omission of the concrete swale for approximately $5,000.
George Murphy called attention to the revised budget for 2018-2019 in order to adjust the original budget to the actual amounts. He called specific attention to Exhibit A. When the budget was prepared in September of 2018, he expected to end the year with a deficit of $2.1 million. Instead, the school district ended the year with a $5.3 million deficit. A decrease in the sales tax during the year accounts for $2 million of the difference. There was a $400,000 cut in the MFP because of a decline in student enrollment and a $500,000 cut due to the allotment to charter schools. Mr. Murphy shared that despite the fact we are down $10 million over the last two years, we still had adequate reserves. However, that could change unless we make some adjustments now. Cuts in certificated employees and para-professionals have been made through attrition. He believes this was a positive move, and we are headed in the right direction. Plans are to bring the 2019-2020 beginning budget for the Board’s consideration at the next meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the revised 2018-2019 budget.
Mr. Payton shared that an additional parking area was needed at Simsboro School. The proposed building site for the new parking lot was on the west side of the campus near the front entrance of the school. Fifty new parking spaces would be available with the construction of this parking lot. Money to pay for this project would come from the school maintenance and operational fund.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for a new parking lot at Simsboro School.
Since most of the work was complete on the new STEM Center, Mr. Payton suggested that Substantial Completion documents be executed based on the recommendation of the architect after his final punch list and other appropriate documents. Substantial Completion means the owner can use the building and the owner becomes responsible for insurance.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the Superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute Substantial Completion documents for the STEM Center.
Mr. Murphy stated that we were in the process of adding and deleting signers for the First Guaranty Bank of Dubach for Food Service due to the retirement of three employees. The bank now requires that we have a Resolution approved by the Board to make these changes. He then read the Resolution in full. Mr. Mitcham asked if any of the public or board members had questions. Hearing none, he asked the Board to vote regarding the matter.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to designate authorized person(s) to act on such accounts.
At 6:50, Mr. Anders exited the meeting.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Milstead said:
1. In their portfolios, board members would find an invitation to a retirement reception for Kirk Taylor. He had been with the Sheriff’s office for many years and had been in charge of the school resource officers. It would be held August 9, from 4:00-6:00, at the Lincoln Parish Public Safety Complex.
2. School safety was very important to our school district. Our goal was to ensure our schools are as safe as we can make them. He would be coming to the board members in the near future with plans to help make our schools safer.
3. An email had been sent to board members regarding the shutdown of the district’s internet service due to the Cyber Emergency announced by the governor. The governor suggested after the shutdown to bring the system back up in six phases. It was thought that this would take a week, when it fact it only took 2 ½ days. He thanked Debbie Pender and Seth Grigsby for their hard work with this task. Mr. Grigsby had installed a new firewall this past spring that probably helped protect our internet system.
4. The Administrator’s Workshop was last Thursday. Principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and several central office personnel were present. Expectations and policy changes for the coming year were shared. It was a positive and upbeat meeting. Dr. Lewis was in charge of the new teachers’ meeting the following day. It was a great event and all teachers were present and on time.
5. Professional development would be tomorrow and Thursday for all teachers. They would be at their schools on Friday. The annual General Convocation would be Monday, August 12, at Ruston High School at 8:00 a.m. He invited board members to attend. On Tuesday, August 13, at 8:00, all employees would meet at Howard Auditorium and safety experts from Amoured One would conduct a presentation. Tuesday afternoon all employees would meet at Ruston High School.
6. The September Board meeting would be held at the new STEM Center.
There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Mike Milstead, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President