LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 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, 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 was absent.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed guests. Mr. Smith gave the invocation, and Mr. Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Wiley, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 4, 2021, as distributed.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett introduced the five-member committee appointed to interview for the I.A. Lewis position that became available when Keshia Douglas transferred to Ruston Junior High School. The committee members were Rusty Farrar, Dr. Doris Lewis, Dr. Sheila Nugent, Dana Talley, and John Young. Lisa Bastion, Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Superintendent, chaired the committee but did not vote. There were six qualified applicants. Alisia Thomason garnered the most votes, and was unanimously recommended as principal of I.A. Lewis.
Mr. Durrett introduced Ms. Thomason and commented that she has worked in the district for 16 years, including teaching at Ruston Junior High and Ruston High, and has been the Freshman Academy director for nine years. Ms. Thomason said she was excited to join I.A. Lewis. She said she is looking forward to working with district personnel, teachers, and other leaders as they make an impact on students’ lives.
Ms. Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager shared the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget for 2021-2022 that was proposed and approved at their meeting on May 18. The total proposed operating expenditures for the next fiscal year is $228,383. The estimated cost share that was approved for Lincoln Parish School Board for the next fiscal period was about 41% of operating costs or $94,637. Mr. Mitcham commented that the Commission is very efficient and does an excellent job collecting and disbursing sales tax collections. He mentioned that the commission serves both Lincoln and Union Parish. Ms. Duke noted that Denise Griggs, the Sales and Use Tax Commission’s Administrator, was in attendance and available to answer any questions about the budget.
Hearing none, upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2021-2022 Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget.
Ms. Duke reminded the Board that each year schools are allocated monies from the 1979 sales tax fund to purchase instructional supplies. This allocation is based upon the student enrollment as of October 1, 2020. She proposed the same per pupil allocations from the previous year, but noted the total amount was slightly lower than last year because of a decrease in students. The $70,337.50 distribution Ms. Duke recommended was as follows:
Art PK-12 - $1.75 per student
Physical Education PK-12 - $1.75 per student
Library Supplies PK-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Music PK-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Magazines & PK-6 - $3.00 per student
Newspapers 7-12 - $3.25 per student
Science PK-6 - $1.50 per student
7-8 - $3.00 per student
9-12 - $4.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the distribution of $70,337.50 from 1979 sales tax monies for instructional supply money for the 2021-2022 school year as mentioned above.
Mr. Edmiston shared with the Board that bids for duplicating paper were publicly opened on May 21, 2021. The two bids received did not meet the requirements specified in the bid. He asked permission to re-advertise the purchase of duplicating paper.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to re-advertise for bids for duplicating paper for the 2021-2022 school year.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, stated that Simsboro High School has one 30 x 15 moveable metal storage building that is no longer needed. He is asking permission to declare the building as surplus and dispose of it in accordance with the state bid law.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the above-mentioned building as surplus and dispose of it in accordance with state law and applicable school board policies.
Rik Cason, Transportation Coordinator, communicated that there were three buses that are of no further use to the Lincoln Parish Transportation Department. He requested the Board declare the buses as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to declare the three buses as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process.
Board members were asked by Ms. Bastion to study the following policy manual revision in preparation for the next meeting: GBAA – Compensation Guidelines/Overtime. She reported that this revision includes language that encourages principals, supervisors, and department heads to adjust daily work schedules for nonexempt employees in an effort to avoid overtime. In accordance with state law, the Board is required each year in June to name a newspaper to serve as the official journal to publish proceedings for the Lincoln Parish School Board. Ms. Duke communicated that the Ruston Daily Leader offered $6.00 per legal square which is the maximum rate allowed by state law. She recommended that the Board name them as the official journal for fiscal year 2021-2022. Mr. Mitcham stated the Board appreciates the Leader’s support.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to name the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 2021-2022.
Ms. Duke presented the 2021-2022 employee salary schedules. She stated that by law, the School Board is authorized to approve salary schedules and the Superintendent is authorized to set the salary of employees accordingly. She pointed out that the increases for salaried employees from the new 2020 sales tax have been included in the schedules, and that pay rates for extra duties were also included this year. Ms. Duke recommended approval and reminded board members that a copy of the salary schedules was included in the board packet and that any pay increases approved by the 2021 Louisiana Legislature would be added to these salary schedules when approved.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2021-2022 employee salary schedules.
In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, shared the following information:
1. Administrative Point of Reference effective July 1, 2021:
Alisia Thomason from Ruston High to principal at I.A. Lewis replacing Keshia Douglas who transferred.
2. Employment of LaToya Pierre, Payroll Coordinator at Central Office effective June 7, 2021, replacing Christine Hanna who transferred.
3. Point of Reference of the following effective July 1, 2021:
Carla Chrisman from Central Office Accounts Clerk to secretary at Pupil Appraisal replacing Donna Lilley who is retiring;
Sandra Woods from Central Office Insurance Financial Specialist to Accounts Clerk replacing Carla Chrisman who transferred;
Christine Hanna from Central Office Payroll Assistant to Insurance Financial Specialist replacing Sandra Woods who transferred; and
Mark Milstead from Maintenance Coordinator of Auxiliary Services to agriculture teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Thomas Freeman who retired.
4. Resignations of the following effective May 26 , 2021, unless otherwise stated:
Hannah Ebarb, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Lori Kelly, math teacher at Choudrant High effective July 24, 2021;
Jessica Smith, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Antwanette Lewis, special education teacher at Cypress Springs;
Joyce Long, teacher at Dubach Elementary;
Molly Patterson, teacher at Glen View;
Jamieka Hester, math teacher at I.A. Lewis;
David Wu, math teacher at I.A. Lewis;
Adrianne Iannone, French Immersion teacher at LPECC;
Todd Garvin, math teacher/coach at Ruston High;
Lisa Boleware, special education teacher at Ruston High;
Stephanie Treadway, English teacher at Ruston High;
Raeann Stuart, athletic trainer at Ruston High; and
Melissa Savage, math teacher at Simsboro High effective June 9, 2021.
5. Resignation of Pamela Barnes, cafeteria technician at I.A. Lewis effective May 25, 2021.
A sales tax report for the month ending May 2021 was presented by Ms. Duke. She stated that May collections were up 86.69% compared to the same month last year, and 33% year-to-date. Excluding the new 2020 sales tax collections, actual performance indicates an increase of 49% for the month and 14.8% year-to-date.
Ms. Duke also delivered the April 2021 financial update and reported the General Operating Fund balances were up $21.6 million, which is up from April last year, and includes the collections from the 2020 sales tax. The total unassigned fund balance as of the end of April was about 27% of budgeted operating expenditures. The sales tax funds are carrying larger fund balances but we will see these decrease due to the payment of the 14th check, which was distributed in May.
In the health plan update for April 2021, she reported total claim expenditures were $540,000, which is below the monthly average of $654,000. Total net assets year-to-date were $883,000, which is approximately $300,000 more than this time last year. We will continue to monitor the health plan and hope that costs continue to remain stable.
Mr. Payton narrated several pictures and updated the Board on the project to build a new Eco-Car Building for Ruston High School to replace the one destroyed in the 2019 tornado. Unlike the previous building, this one will serve as a workshop for the Eco-Car team and as a physics classroom. He said a retaining wall has been built and the slab has been poured. The metal building is scheduled to be delivered June 15 and the estimated completion date is July 30.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett noted the following information:
1. Included in board members’ portfolios were a list of retirees, board meeting dates for 2021-2022, an updated list of LPSB committees and members, and information regarding student school fees.
2. Information regarding P-EBT Louisiana cards for students who were virtual and/or hybrid this last school year is also included in board member portfolios. The cards will be issued from the Department of Education and should be mailed in the next few weeks.
3. LPSB has offered a Donation of Servitude to the City of Ruston regarding a new waterline between Cypress Springs and an adjacent church. It will provide a larger waterline for Cypress Springs and a housing subdivision being built behind the school.
4. Courtney Martin has been named as a finalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year. The Ruston High School educator is one of nine finalists named in the state. The winner will be announced on July 15.
5. The first two-week session of Summer School begins Monday, June 7. Approximately 750 students will be attending at LPECC, Glen View, Ruston Junior High, and Ruston High.
6. Under the circumstances, the district did a tremendous job of providing our students with a great education this last school year. We learned a lot about teaching virtually which will help us going forward. We are already working to provide virtual dual enrollment classes that are not normally offered at Simsboro and Choudrant. It will be great to offer those students this opportunity.
7. He would be attending the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents conference in Lafayette June 9, 10, and 11. The agenda looks very interesting and informative.
In closing, Mr. Durrett called attention to the list of retirees as follows:
NAME LOCATION YRS IN LINCOLN TOTAL YRS
Charles Hogan Choudrant Elementary (Administrative) 42 46
Lisa Mangum Central Office Administrative 35 35
Miriam Payne Ruston Jr. High (Administrative) 14 24
Faith Alexander Ruston High (Teacher) 33 33
Delena Ashworth Ruston High (Teacher) 22 22
Rachel Browning Choudrant High (Teacher) 12 30.5
Loretta Clark Ruston Jr. High (Teacher) 21 31
Cynthia Dean Hillcrest Elementary 12 12
Tommy Freeman Ruston Jr. High (Teacher) 14 15
Bob Garrett Ruston High (Teacher) 20 29
Suzette Henderson Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 16 21
Carolyn Jones Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 31.5 31.5
Melanie Lewis I.A. Lewis (Teacher) 17.5 20
Deborah Lynch Glen View Elementary (Teacher) 17 19
Tammy Patterson Hillcrest Elementary (Teacher) 24 24
Sharon Petch Choudrant High (Teacher) 21 34
Michelle Rosenberger Special Education (Teacher) 24 27
Sherri Sandlin Itinerant (Teacher) 7 26
Victoria Cherry LPECC (Paraprofessional) 20 20
Shaleigh Lamkin Choudrant High (Secretary) 12.5 12.5
Michelle Brown Ruston Elementary (Secretary) 29.5 29.5
Virginia Rainwater Ruston High (Secretary) 35 35
Jo Turner Ruston Jr. High (Food Service) 12 12
Charlotte Woods Ruston Jr. High (Food Service) 22 22
Scott Hearne Transportation (Choudrant bus operator) 10 10
Michael Chandler Transportation (Simsboro bus operator) 27 27
Robert Kranz Transportation (Choudrant bus operator) 6 16
Ora Reed Dubach School (Custodian) 14 14
There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President