LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 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, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
Ms. Lynda Henderson attended remotely.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order, and Ms. Abrahm gave the invocation. Ms. Wiley led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on February 2, 2021, as distributed.
District 12 State Representative Chris Turner shared a legislative update with board members, the media, and the public after thanking those in attendance and his family for allowing him to serve in the Legislature. Representative Turner spoke about an education bill he plans to carry in the upcoming legislative session. After a council researches how best to do so, his bill would create a “Louisiana Day” in which students would “learn about where their food comes from.” While discussing the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), he stated that the Legislature wants to incorporate another raise for teachers into the budget but is not sure how it would be financed.
Mr. Turner voiced that he sits on the House Appropriations Committee. When asked how a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources might affect the budget in a big oil industry state like Louisiana, he said he believes in a “bit-by-bit transition to renewable energy by attracting companies in that field to Louisiana.” He said we should not attempt to cut fossil fuels now, but gradually move into renewable energy and make it affordable for everyone. Mr. Turner opined that the best way to attract those companies here and keep those jobs is to have a clean tax structure for individuals and for businesses, and maintain consistency; not changing the structure every three or four years. He touched on early childhood education, stating he is on the Early Childhood Care Education Advisory Council. He said there are many families that cannot afford child care centers however parents can apply for childcare assistance. The state reimburses the centers for the child’s “seat”, but at times there is a difference between the reimbursement and what the provider charges. The council is planning to monitor this discrepancy, try to keep these centers open, and assist them in affording qualified teachers. After answering several questions, he thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak to them.
The following personnel items were reported by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Resignations of Jeremy Huckeba, social studies teacher/coach at I. A. Lewis, effective February 20, 2021; and
Gloria Salas, math teacher at Ruston Junior High School, effective February 25, 2021.
2. Disability Retirement of Shaleigh Lamkin, secretary at Choudrant High School, effective February 1, 2021.
3. Resignation of Jerry Cole, custodian at Choudrant High School, effective February 12, 2021.
4. Resignation of John Whittington, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective February 13, 2021.
5. Employment of Sonja Boatner, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective January 25, 2021, replacing Scott Hearne who entered disability retirement; and David Hipp, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective February 16, 2021, replacing John Whittington who resigned.
Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager, reported that total sales tax collections for the month of February 2021 were up 36.74% over collections from the same month in the prior year and were up 21.78% year-to-date. In addition to the new sales tax, she attributed this increase to increased online sales and construction activity throughout the parish. Excluding the new 2020 collections, the effective increase would be 13.5% for the month and 8.36% year-to-date.
Moving on to the January 2021 financial report, Ms. Duke stated that January was the initial month for payment of collections for 2020 property taxes resulting in a large increase in local tax revenue in the General Fund, and districtwide and M&O funds. Therefore, these fund balances show an increase due to property tax collections. The General Fund balance for January was $7.8 million and the 1993 Ad Valorem Tax Fund balance was $3.2 million. She shared that the 5 Mill Maintenance Fund had a balance of $1.7 million, the Ruston District M&O balance was $452,000, Simsboro M&O was $273,000, Dubach M&O was $384,000, and Choudrant M&O was $80,982. Total contributions made to the General Fund Insurance Transfer Account were $6.2 million. Overall, the unassigned fund balance was 25.5% of budgeted operating expenditures. This is above the 10-15% range that the Board needs to maintain for bond ratings.
Next Ms. Duke reported on the Health Insurance Fund, stating that this is the first month of the new plan year, which is reported on a calendar year basis. Total contributions for the month of January were $1,083,000 compared to the prior year of $1.1 million. Total fixed costs were $340,000, compared to $320,000 in 2020. Total claims expenses for January were $999,000, compared to $616,000 the prior year. The average monthly claims for 2020 were $670,000. Claims expense increased $329,000 year over year. Total net drawdown of our net assets in the Health Insurance fund for January was $255,860.
Lisa Bastion, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, reminded the Board that last month they were given revisions to the Workers’ Compensation policy. This revision changed the policy so that LPSB could routinely request the Second Injury Form, which we plan to do every three years. LPSB did not want to be restricted to that timeline and wanted to be able to request it as needed. However, since that time we have realized that in our attempt to automate our personnel files, this document should not be kept in personnel files. Ms. Bastion then read the new revision, “at the time of employment all employees shall be required to complete the Post-Hire Second Injury Fund Questionnaire which shall be updated routinely upon request of the School Board and maintained separately from the employees’ personnel file.” She asked if the Board would approve the policy revision as written.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to Workers’ Compensation – EGAA.
The multi-parish consortium was authorized to bid food, paper, and supplies, but do not handle produce or equipment; therefore, in the absence of Harryette Tinsley, Supervisor of Food Services, Ms. Duke requested permission to advertise and accept the lowest bids for purchases of kitchen equipment and produce for the school food service department for 2021–2022. She explained that this was a routine request brought before the Board annually.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the advertising and accepting of the lowest bids meeting specifications on purchases of kitchen equipment and the purchase of produce for the 2021-2022 school year.
Ms Duke added that Ms. Tinsley had written several grants this year, and was awarded $80,000 from the “No Hungry Kids” program for upgrading equipment. She had also received a $97,000 award from the State Equipment Funding Grant.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, said that 14 days would need to be added to the contract time on the Eco-Car building. This is due in part to regulations and meetings required by the City of Ruston that caused a delay for the contractor to be issued necessary permits. The new date of Substantial Completion will be August 13, 2021.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #1 for the Eco-Car building adding 14 days to the contract time at no change to the contract price.
Mr. Payton added that due to inclement weather, work had not begun on the Eco-Car building yet. The security fence at Ruston High is in place and the “job shack” is on-site. He estimates dirt work to begin next week. He also said that work on the fence at the Simsboro ballfields is moving slowly.
Ms. Bastion shared that the proposed school calendar exceeds the minimum instructional minutes for students of 63,720 instructional minutes and has added 6 professional development days for staff. She asked the Board to adopt the proposed calendar.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Smith and Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed calendar for the 2021-22 school year as follows:
Lincoln Parish 2021 - 2022 School Calendar
Staff Development August 16-18, 2021
First Day of School for Students (Full Day) August 19, 2021
Labor Day September 6, 2021
Staff Development Day October 8, 2021
Fall Break October 11-15, 2021
End of 1st Nine Weeks October 22, 2021
Thanksgiving November 22-26, 2021
Christmas/New Year December 20-31, 2021
Staff Development Day January 3, 2022
End of 2nd Nine Weeks/Semester 1st January 14, 2022
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 17, 2022
Presidents’ Day February 21, 2022
Staff Development Day March 11, 2022
Spring Break March 14-18, 2022
End of 3rd Nine Weeks March 25, 2022
Easter Break April 15-18, 2022
Last day for Students & Teachers (Full Day) May 27, 2022
End of 4th Nine Weeks
Superintendent Durrett asked Ms. Bastion to update the Board on Covid-19 vaccines. She shared that every public school teacher and support employees who wanted the vaccine would have received at least one dose by the end of the week, less than two weeks after school workers became eligible for the immunization in Louisiana. This constitutes about 54% of the district’s total employee population. Ms. Bastion said the school district is the lead agency for 17 local daycare and Pre-K centers. As of Tuesday, there were only four employees at those centers who wanted the vaccine and did not yet have an appointment. As people cancel, we are able to fill those appointments, so those four should be able to receive the vaccine by the end of this week.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said that:
1. Ruston High School senior Hannah Le had been named a state finalist for High School Student of the Year. We are very proud of her and her family and wish her luck. She is a great student and very deserving of this honor.
2. Our maintenance department did a great job before the freeze getting schools prepared. We had very minimal damage. There were some gutters and awnings that collapsed due to the weight of the snow and ice. We are in the process of getting bids to have those repaired.
3. Letters of Intent have been sent to employees, we have received approximately 92% back.
4. We are working on summer school plans. We will have more information at the end of the third nine weeks. Lists of those that need to attend should be ready by the first of May.
5. The Simsboro High basketball team will play at home tonight in the second round of the playoffs. Choudrant won their first round game and is playing at Hathaway tonight. We wish both teams good luck.
6. The Governor moved the state to Phase 3 modified starting tomorrow. Phase 3 does not change much in the classroom. Unfortunately, masks must still be worn. More students may ride the bus but we were good with those numbers. This Phase allows 250 in our gymnasiums, which would be great if we host a playoff game.
After several comments from board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President