LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, September 1, 2020   6:00 p.m.

                              The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. at the STEM Center, 525 Tarbutton Road, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. David Ferguson, Dr. David Gullatt, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.

                              President Mitcham called the meeting to order, and Ms. Wiley gave the invocation.  President Mitcham led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed those in attendance.       

                              Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

                              Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 4, 2020, as submitted and the minutes of the Special Session held on August 20, 2020, as submitted.    

                               Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Lynda Henderson, said the committee met on August 21, 2020, to consider procedures, a timeline, an application form, and a job advertisement to search for a new Superintendent to replace Mike Milstead who was retiring December 30, 2020. She said it was the committee’s recommendation to approve all of the above.

Dr. Gullatt proposed the Board approve the procedures as written with the exception of one change. In Item #6, he suggested to delete the phrase “in Open Session on the advice of Board attorney, Jon Guice.” He then read Item #6 as it would read with the deletion:

“The interviews of selected candidates will be conducted by the full Board during the period of October 19-21, 2020, and succeeding days if needed, at a time to be determined. Following such initial interviews, the Board may vote to either hire a superintendent or select finalists for 2^nd interviews.”           

Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted to approve the superintendent search timeline, procedures, application form, and advertisement for the position of Superintendent of Lincoln Parish Schools with the deletion of the following in Item #6, “in Open Session on the advice of Board attorney, Jon Guice”.

                       President Mitcham declared a time of public hearing for the proposed budget for the year ending June 30, 2021.

Chairperson Lisa Best reported that the Finance Committee met prior to the start of the Regular Session at 5:45 p.m. She said the Business Manager had presented the proposed budget to the Finance Committee. She turned the floor over to Ms. Juanita Duke to summarize the Finance Committee discussion. 

Ms. Duke called attention to “Exhibit A” and pointed out recommended total budgeted revenues of $82.3 million, total budgeted expenditures of $78.7 million, and total ending fund balance of $28.79 million for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This was an improvement over the 2019-20 revised budget estimate. She attributed the increase in revenues to the new half-cent sales tax approved by voters, reductions in staffing, and an increase in state MFP funding.    

A summary of the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget follows:

She asked for questions or comments and answered one question. She then turned the meeting back over to Chairperson Best.

Ms. Best shared the Committee’s recommendation to adopt the proposed beginning budget for the year ending June 30, 2021. Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, a roll call vote was taken.

The Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the 2020-2021 proposed budget as presented and grant permission for the administration to amend the budget as needed throughout the year and bring a final revised budget to the board for approval at year-end.

The time for public hearing was then closed.

                              Ms. Duke communicated that every year a Resolution is required to renew LPSB automobile insurance coverage. The State Department of Insurance issues guidelines related to Uninsured Motorist coverage. Ms. Duke stated that each school system is required to include in board minutes a consent item authorizing the Superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorist form. She asked the Board to adopt the Resolution.

                              Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the Uninsured Motorist form.

                              A personnel report was the next item on the agenda.  Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director, voiced the following:             

1.    Retirement of Faith Alexander, Library Media Specialist at Ruston High, effective December 19, 2020.

               2.    Resignation of the following:

Janet Davis, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective August 3, 2020;

Marissa Nugent, music teacher at Glen View, effective July 31, 2020; and

Matthew Vincent, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective August 29, 2020.

               3.    Employment of the following, effective August 7, 2020, unless noted otherwise;

                       Roselyn Henry, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Janet Davis who resigned, effective August 12, 2020;

                       Rodney Holland, social studies teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Brooke Maloy who resigned, effective August 12, 2020;

                       Elaine Johnson, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Holly Anderson who resigned, effective August 10, 2020;

                       Kristin Hutson, math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Carol Ward who resigned;

                       Andre’a Metoyer, social studies teacher at Ruston High, replacing James Bolton who resigned;

                       Megan Sutherland, teacher at Glen View, replacing Allison Edwards who transferred, effective August 21, 2020;

                       Chandler McDonald, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Lindsay Bolton who resigned;

                       Christa Anderson, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Jennifer Chism who resigned;

                       Teri Watts, special education teacher at Simsboro School, a new position due to increased SPED numbers;

                       Sara Smith, science teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Sara Johnston who transferred; and

                       Cindy Horton, bookkeeper at Simsboro School, replacing Tammy Wallace who resigned, effective July 27, 2020.

               4.    Point of Reference of the following:

                       Stacy Findley, from YRC to Emergency Operations Coordinator at Central Office, effective July 1, 2020;

                       Rose Hunter, from Dubach School to Pre-K paraprofessional at Simsboro School, due to increase in Pre-K numbers, effective August 12, 2020; and

                       Victoria Roberson, from LPECC to Pre-K teacher at Simsboro School, due to increase in Pre-K numbers, effective August 10, 2020.  

               5.    Resignation of Emori Mathis, cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs, effective August 4, 2020; and

                       Lawanta Atkins, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, effective August 5, 2020.

               6.    Employment of Chencia Bryan, cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs, replacing Emori Mathis who resigned, effective August 19, 2020; and

                       Stephanie Wright, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, replacing Lawanta Atkins who resigned, effective August 10, 2020.

                               James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, stated that due to technical problems, there would be no Power Point presentation shown at this meeting but he would have some photos to share next month. He was pleased to report that significant progress had been made at the Simsboro Sport Complex. In addition, we are very close to settling with the insurance company on the EcoCar building. Upon settling with the insurance company, decisions will be made on how to move forward with plans to replace the building that was destroyed in April 2019.       

                              Sales tax collections for August 2020 were up 5.8% compared to last year for the same month and up 8.75% year-to-date, according to Juanita Duke. She hopes this trend continues.   

                              Ms. Duke stated that she would like to defer the July 2020 Financial Statement report until next month. She would give a report next month for July and August.  

                              Health Care Fund collections year-to-date were $8.2 million. Ms Duke also shared that fixed costs were $2.3 million and total claims expenses were $4.4 million year-to-date.  We have realized a savings of $338,000 for the calendar year. Excess net assets were $1.7 million, which we may need in the coming months when people feel comfortable to return to health care providers.        

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

1.      Lincoln Parish Schools “dodged a bullet” when Hurricane Laura hit last week. I.A. Lewis suffered siding damage on the south end of the gymnasium, which has already been patched, and two large trees fell but did no damage. Ruston High School lost twelve trees but also sustained no damage. Choudrant High School’s auditorium suffered some leaking but nothing huge. As of noon today, three schools still do not have electricity. Our plans are to open schools Thursday.      

               2.    School leaders are to be commended and thanked for how they handled communications with their staff during our closure after the hurricane. They all did an awesome job.

3.    He thanked the community for supporting, voting for, and passing the sales tax. This will enable Lincoln Parish to keep our good teachers here in the district.             

                                After several comments from Board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

__________________________________                   ___________________________________

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