LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 S. 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, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
President Joe Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed guests. Mr. Anders delivered the invocation, and Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 1, 2021, as presented.
Juanita Duke, Chief Financial Officer, announced that the 2019 - 2020 financial audit has been completed. She thanked her staff and their dedicated work this past year while under Covid restrictions. She gave special recognition to Kathy Pool, Assistant Business Manager, for her tireless work ethic in the business department and the significant part she had in preparing for the audit. She also thanked auditors, Allen, Green & Williamson, for their patience and persistence in performing the 2019-2020 audit under challenging circumstances. She then introduced Amy Tynes, a partner with Allen, Green & Williamson, to present the auditor's report.
Ms. Tynes presented the report of the audit of the School Board's financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2020. She called attention to two reports, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Single Audit Report and briefly went over the results of the audit in each report.
In the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the auditor issued an unmodified audit opinion, the best opinion possible, which means that the Board’s financial condition, position, and operations were fairly presented in the financial statements without any modifications. She reviewed the governmentwide results, which includes all funds of the School Board, including all capital assets, debt, and other liabilities. Ms. Tynes shared that the School Board's long-term liabilities include other post employee benefits ($131 million) and LPSB’s share of the state’s pension liabilities ($80 million). On the Statement of Net Position, she reported the School Board's ending net position had a deficit of $134 million caused by the liabilities for pension and other post employee benefits. She commented this was common for majority of governments because governmental accounting standards require these long-term liabilities be included in the financial statements.
For individual funds, she reported the General Fund had an ending fund balance of $13.7 million, which is 26% of total expenditures. The 2000 Ad Valorem Tax ended with a fund balance of $6.9 million. Title 1 (federal grant) is a cost reimbursement fund therefore; it had a $0 fund balance. The Nonmajor Governmental Funds combined had a total fund balance of $22.1 million with all balances restricted for a specific purpose. The General Fund had $49.9 million in total revenues for the 2020 fiscal year end, an increase of $2 million from the 2019 fiscal year. Total expenditures were $51.4 million, an increase of $1.5 million. After fund transfers in and out and insurance proceeds, the total fund balance of the General Fund decreased by $1.1 million. The 2000 Ad Valorem Tax increased by $1 million. The Nonmajor Governmental Funds decreased by $2.5 million.
Ms. Tynes explained that the Nonmajor Governmental Funds consist of funds for Special Revenues, Debt Service, and Capital Projects. Special Revenue consists of Child Nutrition, and other federal programs, such as special education IDEA and Title II funds, sales tax funds, and the maintenance funds. Debt Service is restricted to pay bonds, and Capital Projects are funds set aside for “brick and mortar”. The Capital Projects fund Insurance Proceeds had a fund balance of $2.7 million. The total net position of the self-insured Workers’ Compensation Fund was $165,817 and the Group Health Insurance was $2.9 million.
Moving on to the Single Audit Report, the compliance part of the audit, Ms. Tynes said $8.2 million was the total of federal grants the district received in 2019-20. Towards the end of the audit period is when the “first round” of CARES dollars was awarded, so very little Covid-related expenditures are reported in 2019-20. The major federal programs tested were Child Nutrition and the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program, and an unmodified opinion was issued with no federal findings. Mr. Mitcham added a word of appreciation to the business department for the excellent job they do.
The following personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Administrative Points of Reference effective July 1, 2021:
Michelle Thrower, from central office to interim principal at Dubach School, replacing Pam Pruden who resigned.
2. Retirement of the following;
Faith Moss, ELA teacher at Ruston High, effective September 3, 2021; and
Loretta Clark, special education teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective June 3, 2021.
3. Administrative resignation of Pam Pruden, principal at Dubach School, effective July 1, 2021.
4. Resignation of the following:
Christopher Cavin, math teacher/coach at Choudrant High, effective July 6, 2021;
Catherine Hild, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective June 15, 2021;
Curtis Goodwin, H&PE teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective June 19, 2021; and
Emily Ward, ELA teacher at Simsboro School, effective June 12, 2021.
5. Employment of the following effective August 16, 2021, unless noted otherwise:
Rhonda Redding, early childhood project assistant at central office as a new
position, effective July 1, 2021;
Brittany Smith, secretary at Choudrant High effective August 2, 2021, replacing Pam Price who transferred;
Stacey Harrell, mental health counselor at Cypress Springs, replacing Jeff Tucker who resigned;
Shelby Pearce, mental health counselor at Glen View as a new position;
Daina Estes, school psychologist at Pupil Appraisal effective August 2, 2021, replacing Amber Boykin who resigned;
Ashton Guin, math teacher/coach at Ruston High effective July 19, 2021, replacing Todd Garvin who resigned;
Amanda McHaney, assistant principal at Ruston High effective July 19, 2021, replacing Alisia Thomason who transferred;
Roy Taylor, AP social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High effective July 19, 2021, replacing Charlton Garrett who retired;
Larry Williams, assistant principal at Ruston Junior High effective July 19, 2021, replacing Miriam Payne who retired;
Macy Avery, mental health counselor at Simsboro School as a new position; and
Terri Belknap, assistive technology specialist at Special Education effective August 2, 2021, replacing Debbie Cloud who retired.
6. Point of Reference of the following effective July 19, 2021 unless noted otherwise:
Stacy Findley from emergency operations coordinator at central office to YRC coordinator, effective July 1. 2021;
Justin Barron, from assistant principal at Ruston High School to academic project coordinator at central office, due to a new position;
Shannon Lee, from assistant principal at Ruston High School to social studies facilitator at central office, due to a new position;
Pam Price, from secretary to bookkeeper at Choudrant High, replacing Shaleigh Lamkin who retired;
Danyelle O’Neal, from guidance counselor at Ruston Junior High to mental health counselor at Hillcrest effective August 2, 2021, due to a new position;
Polly Durrett, from special education teacher to instructional facilitator at I.A. Lewis effective August 2, 2021, replacing Melanie Lewis who retired;
Jaimee Hudson, from curriculum strategist at Ruston Elementary to assistant principal at Ruston High, replacing Shannon Lee who transferred;
Dustin Serpas, from H&PE teacher/athletic director at Ruston Junior High to administrative assistant at Ruston High, replacing Justin Barron who transferred;
Monika Locke, from Simsboro School to guidance counselor at Ruston High, replacing Kourtney Smith who transferred;
Kourtney Smith, from guidance counselor to mental health counselor at Ruston High effective August 2, 2021, due to a new position;
Tatum Mitchell, from ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis to guidance counselor at Ruston Junior High effective August 2, 2021, replacing Danyelle O’Neal who transferred;
Lane White, from ELA teacher at Ruston High to H&PE teacher/coach at Ruston Junior High replacing Dustin Serpas who transferred;
Latisha Robinson-Vernon, from ELA teacher to guidance counselor at Simsboro, replacing Monika Locke who transferred; and
Reginald McLeroy, from student services coordinator at Ruston Junior High to itinerate talented art teacher, replacing Margaret Boudreaux who resigned.
7. Point of Reference of the following effective July 19, 2021:
Mary Perry, from custodian to head custodian at LPECC, replacing Glenda Jones who retired; and
Jerry Perry, from custodian to head custodian at I.A. Lewis, replacing Yvonne Drake who transferred.
8. Employment of Paul Corbin, Jr. as head custodian at Choudrant High effective July 19, 2021, replacing Sterling Richard who transferred.
9. Retirement of Ida Mangham, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, effective June 4, 2021.
Ms. Duke presented a sales tax report for June of 2021. She said that sales tax collections for the fiscal year were $23.5 million, which is an increase of 35% over the same period last year. She stated that $3.3 million of the increase is from the new 2020 sales tax. The monthly performance equivalent is a 29.26% increase over June 2020, and 15.95% compared to the prior year-to-date.
Moving on to her summary of the May 2021 financial statement, Ms. Duke said the general fund had a balance of $6.7 million. Total group insurance transfers year-to-date from general operating accounts were $9.8 million. This does not include transfers from other Special Revenue Funds for group insurance. The total fund balance for the 5 Mill Maintenance Fund is $1.7 million. Ms. Duke reminded board members that an adjustment was made at the beginning of the fiscal year enabling the 5 Mill Fund to operate on a self-sustained basis alleviating annual transfers to the fund going forward. The district M & O fund balances ranged from $59,000 to $371,000.
The self-insured health fund had total net contributions of $1.3 million for the month of May according to Ms. Duke. Excess net assets were $344,000 for the month and $1.2 million for the year. Expenditures were slightly higher in May compared to prior months. However, average expenditures this year have been $635,000 per month, which is less than the prior years’ average of $655,000 per month. She reminded board members that retirees were moved to the Blue Advantage Plan in January 2020. The reduction in expenditures could be due to this change, Covid-related, or both.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, stated that work at the RHS Eco-Car building had slowed. The original delivery date for the building was June 22, and then changed to July 30. The delivery date has now moved to August 13. This is due in part to a deficit in the number of workers in the company’s factory and the shortage of steel. After the building is delivered, work should be completed in two months. The catch basins for the drainage will be delivered later this week and will be installed the following week.
Following a month of studying one policy revision, Lisa Bastion, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, asked board members to approve the proposed revision to the policy manual.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Dr. Gullatt, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revision of GBAA – Compensation Guidelines/Overtime.
Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, reminded board members that authorization was given at the last board meeting to re-advertise for bids for duplicating paper for 2021-2022. He shared that bid opening was held on June 30, 2021, for the purchase of the duplicating paper for the 2021-2022 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for the purchase of duplicating paper for the 2021-2022 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid 1,000 Cases of Copy Paper
Parker Wholesale Paper Price per case: $28.60
Total for 1,000 Cases: $28,600.00
Ms. Duke presented the resolution for adoption of the millage rates for the 2021 parish property tax roll. She explained the recommended rates are the same as the previous year's rates, but with the following recommended adjustments:
1) Ruston School District #1 (M&O) rate increases from 2.28 to the adjusted maximum millage rate of 2.33 mills
2) Ruston SD #1 Bond rate decreases from 12.75 to 12.43 mills
3) Simsboro SD#3 Bond rate decreases from 7.00 to 6.46
She commented the Simsboro Bonds are scheduled to be paid off in the next 4-5 years.
If approved, the Resolution will be submitted to the Lincoln Parish Assessor who will send it to the Legislative Auditor for approval before adding it to the Lincoln Parish property tax roll. She recommended that the Board adopt the resolution as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage rates are hereby levied on the 2021 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the Lincoln Parish School Board:
Millage
Constitutional Tax (General Fund) 3.89 mills
Special Maintenance & Operation (General Fund) 4.92 mills
Special Repair & Equipment (Five-Mill) 4.92 mills
Parishwide Maintenance & Operation (1993 Ad Val) 9.44 mills
Parishwide Maintenance & Operation (2000 Ad Val) 8.48 mills
Ruston School District #1 (M&O) 2.33 mills
Simsboro School District #3 (M&O) 2.97 mills
Dubach School District #5 (M&O) 3.10 mills
Choudrant School Dist. #6 (M&O) 2.99mills
Bonded Debt:
Ruston SD #1 Bond 12.43 mills
Simsboro SD #3 Bond 6.46 mills
Choudrant SD #6 Bond 14.00 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2021, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS: Susan Wiley, David Ferguson, David Gullatt, Donna Doss, Danny Hancock, Joe Mitcham, Hunter Smith, Lisa Best, Lynda Henderson, Otha Anders, George Mack, Jr., and Debbie Abrahm.
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: None
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on July 13, 2021, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
Ruston, Louisiana, this ____ day of _______________, 20___.
________________________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary
Mr. Payton shared with the Board that the district is in need of replacing and updating the surveillance camera system at Ruston High School. The funds to pay for this camera system will come from the new 2020 Sales Tax Fund.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for proposals for the above-mentioned item in accordance with state law and local policies.
Debbie Pender, Technology/Data/Security Coordinator, reported the district has approximated 600 Chromebooks that will be expiring from Google support as of September 2021, and are currently out of warranty for repair. She is asking permission to declare these Chromebooks as surplus.
Upon a motion by Ms. Wiley, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the above-mentioned items as surplus and dispose of them in accordance with state law and local policies.
Ms. Duke reported that the State Legislative Auditor’s Office requires all Louisiana governmental units to complete a System’s Survey & Compliance Questionnaire and provide it to the independent auditors at the beginning of the financial and compliance audit. She requested approval of the questionnaire presented for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the System’s Survey & Compliance Questionnaire as presented for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
Mr. Payton said that Choudrant Elementary has two 24’ x 60’ portable buildings that are no longer needed. He is asking permission to declare these items as surplus and dispose of them in accordance with the state bid law.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the above-mentioned buildings as surplus and dispose of them in accordance with state law and applicable school board policies.
Ms. Pender communicated that the LPSB district will need to replace 2,341 Chromebooks that will be expiring in September 2021 and June 2022. Permission is being asked to apply for ECF (Emergency Connectivity Funds) that will pay 100% for portable computers that cost up to $400 per device for student use. These funds will allow us to replace the Chromebooks that will no longer be adequate to meet the needs of our students.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to request proposals for purchase of Chromebooks and to apply for Emergency Connectivity Funds.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett stated that the School Board and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office have had an agreement in place for the Sheriff’s Office to provide School Resource Officers at our schools. In October 2020, the voters of Lincoln Parish approved a ½-cent sales tax to help fund School Resource Officers at each school. Lincoln Parish School Board will increase the amount we contribute for the extra officers to $350,000 per year, which will be paid for 10 months at $35,000 per month each year beginning in August and ending in May.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Superintendent to sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding School Resource Officers in all Lincoln Parish Schools, once it is finalized.
Six policy revisions and one deletion have been recommended by Forethought, the policy manual service. John Young, Chief Administration & Operations Officer/Assistant Superintendent, stated that due to the timeliness of handbooks being printed for students, the Board is being asked to temporarily waive Board Policy BD- School Board Policy, and immediately approve the six policy revisions and one deletion. Board Policy BD requires the introduction of policies and revisions at one meeting and approval at the next.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to temporarily waive Policy BD – School Board Policy, which allows the 30-day policy study time. Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to JCD – Student Conduct, JCDAB – Dangerous Weapons, JCDAC – Student Alcohol & Drug Abuse, JD – Discipline, JDD – Suspension, JDE – Expulsion, and the deletion of GBRIBC – Emergency Family & Medical Leave Act (EFMLA) and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (Covid-19 Pandemic Leave).
Ms. Pender voiced that the district is in need of replacing or purchasing new interactive panels in approximately 25 classrooms. The interactive panels would be paid with ESSER-F (CARES Act) Funds. She requested permission to advertise for proposals for interactive panels.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board voted unanimously to grant permission to advertise for proposals for the above-mentioned items in accordance with state law and policies.
Mr. Durrett communicated to the Board that we had reached an agreement with the City of Ruston to purchase the parcel of land that includes the Ruston High School baseball field. The parcel is 5.44 acres. The city has agreed to a price of $1,050,000. This will include the baseball field with turf, concession building with restrooms, dressing rooms, and batting cages. The city had the turf installed at a cost of $1,000,000. Once we complete the purchase, Lincoln Parish School Board will be responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the facility.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Abrahm and Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the purchase of the 5.44 acres of land including the Ruston High School baseball field for the price of $1,050,000.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said that:
1. A Nepotism Disclosure Form has been placed in the board members portfolios.
2. A list of tentative plans for the re-opening of school has also been placed in Board members portfolios.
3. On-line registration has begun and is going well. A computer and scanner have been placed in the lobby of the central office for parents who do not have access to a computer or the internet.
4. The second session of summer school started yesterday, July 12, and will conclude on July 23. Attendance was down yesterday but the numbers were up today.
5. There will be a new hire workshop Friday, July 16, in the Title 1 building.
6. Friday night there will be a “Watch Party” for the naming of the State Teacher of the Year. Ruston High math teacher Courtney Martin is a finalist. The virtual presentation will begin at 6:00 at the STEM Center.
After several comments from Board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best the meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President