LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the STEM Center located at 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 welcomed guests to the meeting. Ms. Doss gave the invocation, and John Young, Chief Administration & Operations Officer/Asst. Superintendent, 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 presented.
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 13, 2021, as submitted.
The following personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director:
1. Resignation of the following:
Lauren Warren, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective July 12, 2021;
Dr. Tammy Schilling, teacher at Hillcrest, effective July 16, 2021;
Michael Adamson, social studies teacher at I.A. Lewis, effective July 30, 2021;
Sandra Lassiter, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 16, 2021;
Michelle Scott, special education teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 26, 2021;
Kevin Hill, discipline facilitator at Ruston Elementary, effective July 19, 2021; and
Jonathan Kelly, math teacher at Simsboro School, effective July 27, 2021.
2. Employment of the following effective August 16, 2021:
Carla Williams, elementary math coach at Choudrant Elementary, due to a new position (ESSER II funds);
Christina Johnston, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Hannah Ebarb who resigned;
Lauren Rasmussen ELA teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Rachel Browning who retired;
Stephanie Young, ELA teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Sharon Petch who retired;
Janet Davis, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Jasmine Ayatey who resigned;
Zoey Baskin, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Maria Davidson who transferred;
Azra Fuchs, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Karen Boyd who transferred;
Avery Parker, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Jessica Smith who resigned;
Morgan Porter, teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Jordan Boston who resigned;
Candice Cole, teacher at Dubach School, replacing Joyce Long who resigned;
Jennifer Coleman, teacher at Dubach School, due to a new position (“ESSER II funds);
Leslie Caldwell, special education teacher at Dubach School, due to a new position;
Emilee Waltman, teacher at Glen View, replacing Lauren Bennett who resigned;
Morgan Songer, teacher at Glen View, replacing Molly Patterson who resigned;
Maylis Lucas, French Immersion teacher at Glen View, due to a new position;
Therese Nix, teacher at Glen View, replacing Lauren Hull who transferred;
Leslie Thomas, teacher at Glen View, replacing Brittany Shambro who transferred;
Emilee Delaune, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Karla Smith who resigned;
Lauren Casey, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Tammy Patterson who retired;
Candace Gilmore, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Lisa Allen who transferred;
Crystal Pugh, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Rebecca Sutherland who transferred;
Laura Lovell, music teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Marissa Nugent who resigned;
Maykayla Dunn, teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Lee Ann Holley who transferred;
Jessica Miller-George, elementary enrichment at Hillcrest, replacing Heather Roussell who resigned;
Summer Nimmers, ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Bobbi Ginn who transferred;
Ashley Longlois, ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Tatum Mitchell who transferred;
Karen Garrett, math teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Jamieka Hester who resigned;
Lisa Keyes, ELA teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Dr. Shontrece Dupree who transferred;
Amanda Willis, ELA teacher at I. A. Lewis, replacing Amy Gaines who transferred;
Chelsea Ayers, H&PE teacher at I.A. Lewis, replacing Lynn Edmiston who transferred;
Taylor Riggin, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Katherine Henriques who resigned;
Jana Smith, teacher at Ruston Elementary, due to a new position (ESSER II funds);
Mackenzie Davidson, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Catherine Hild who resigned;
Amber Williams, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Stephanie Treadway who resigned;
Rachael Gray, special education teacher at Ruston High, replacing Lisa Boleware who resigned;
Edward Griffith, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Faith Moss who retired;
Kara Patterson, special education teacher at Ruston High due to a new position;
Sydnie Ezell, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Lane White who transferred;
Lacey Herring, art teacher at Ruston High, replacing Delena Ashworth who retired;
Maryanne Smith, ELA teacher at Ruston High, replacing Deana Forester who transferred;
Kerri Dietrich math teacher at Ruston High, replacing Jaimie Simpson who transferred;
Suzanne Douglas, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Rachel Gibson who resigned;
Danuel Junkin, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Gloria Salas who resigned;
Cole Sonnier, social studies teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Kathrine Folmar who transferred;
Betsy McCaslin, ELA teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Lacey Holcomb who transferred;
Kyle Weiss, science teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Reaghan Truitt who resigned;
Claire Haight, teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Paige Smith who transferred;
Logan Sims, math teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Melissa Savage who resigned;
Matthew Herring, social studies teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Chandler Burkhalter who transferred; and
Alexis Trisler, ELA teacher at Simsboro School, replacing Emily Ward who resigned.
3. Faculty Points of Reference/Transfers of the following effective August 16, 2021, unless noted otherwise:
Teila Lee, from special education teacher at Hillcrest to special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary due to a new position;
Janna Crowe, from math teacher at I.A. Lewis to math teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Lori Kelly who resigned;
Brittany Shambro, from teacher at Glenview to elementary art teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Lauren Warren who resigned;
Karen Boyd, from teacher to elementary math coach at Cypress Springs due to a new position (ESSER II funds);
Bobbie Ginn, from teacher at I.A. Lewis to teacher at Cypress Springs, replacing Melissa Armstrong who resigned;
Maria Davidson, from teacher at Cypress Springs to teacher at Glen View, replacing Deborah Lynch who retired;
Jordan Blachier, from teacher at Simsboro School to coordinating teacher at Glen View effective August 9, 2021, replacing Jennifer Martin who promoted;
Meredith Whitaker, from teacher to elementary ELA coach at Glen View due to a new position (ESSER II funds);
Lauren Hull, from teacher to elementary enrichment at Glen View, replacing Meredith Whitaker who transferred;
Lynn Edmiston, from H&PE teacher at I.A. Lewis to H&PE teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Dr. Tammy Schilling who resigned;
Lisa Allen, from teacher to library media specialist at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Suzette Henderson who retired;
Rebecca Sutherland, from teacher to elementary ELA coach at Hillcrest due to a new position (ESSER II funds);
Deanna Forester, from ELA teacher to library media specialist at Ruston High School, replacing Faith Alexander who retired;
Dolly Weir, from social studies teacher to CTTIE at Ruston High School, replacing Raeann Stuart who resigned;
Lacey Holcomb, from ELA teacher to ELA/social studies coach at Simsboro School due to a new position (ESSER II funds); and
Tim Smith, from H&PE teacher at Ruston High to special education teacher at Youth Rescue Center.
4. Custodian Point of Reference/Transfer:
Sharon Farris from custodian at Cypress Springs to custodian at Hillcrest effective August 9, 2021, replacing Ora Reed who retired.
5. Employment of Wanda Barmore, custodian at Glen View effective August 9, 2021, replacing Lamessia Williams who transferred.
6. Employment of the following effective August 16, 2021:
Sonia Johnston, cafeteria technician at I.A. Lewis, replacing Pamela Barnes who resigned;
Vanessa Beales, cafeteria technician at Ruston Elementary, replacing Lena Anderson, now deceased;
Holly Alexander, cafeteria technician at Ruston High, replacing Jacklin Williams who transferred;
Dorlyn Woods, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, replacing Charlotte Woods who retired;
Remonia Wright, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, replacing Ida Mangham who retired; and
Dorothy Martin, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, replacing Jo Turner who retired.
7. Transportation Point of Reference/Transfer:
Jacklin Williams, from substitute bus operator to bus operator in the Ruston area effective August 16, 2021, replacing Robert Kranz who retired.
Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager, delivered the sales tax collection report for the period ending July 31, 2021. She was pleased to report that there was a 39.3% increase in collections over the same month last year, primarily due to the new 2020 sales tax. The monthly performance equivalent is an 11.6% increase over July 2020.
Moving on to the financial statement for the month ending June 30, 2021, Ms. Duke stated that this is a preliminary fiscal year-end report because closing adjustments are still being made. A final report would be presented after the financial audit is complete. She reported on year-end totals. Total contributions made to the General Fund Insurance Clearing Account for the year were $10.7 million. The General Fund had an excess of funds of $140,000, with an ending fund balance of $3.6 million. The 2020 Sales Tax fund reflects the payments of the one-time supplement from the new sales tax and has an ending fund balance of $620,000; related expenditures were $1.3 million. The total unassigned General Operating funds balance was 18.97%. The 5 Mill Maintenance Fund had a fund balance of $1.6 million and Child Nutrition had $1.4 million. Ms. Duke reported that District M&O funds all ended with a positive balance. She stated that going forward; the financial statement would look different including grant funds that are not usually shown.
Total health contributions for the month of June were $1.1 million according to Ms. Duke. This was slightly lower than the average contributions during the year. Total fixed costs were about the same at $335,000. Total claims expenses were up slightly higher than the $655,000 monthly average. Total claims year-to-date were $3.9 million and total health plan expenses were $5.9 million. Net assets year-to-date were $1.2 million.
Ms. Duke called attention to the revised budget for 2020-2021 in order to adjust the original budget to the actual amounts. She called specific attention to Exhibit A. The total budgeted revenues were estimated to be $55.8 million for the General Fund Accounts and total estimated expenditures were at $52 million. Other sources (uses) were $282,000 and total excess of funds for the year were $3.9 million. The total ending fund balance for all of the operating general funds was estimated to be $18.1 million. This was higher than previously estimated due to the new 2020 sales tax. Revenue estimates for the State Minimum Foundation Program decreased due to the loss of 177 students in addition to an increase in MFP local funding transfers made to other LEAs and charter schools that provide education services to students that live in Lincoln Parish.
She gave a recap of the Special Revenue Funds stating that these included various other restricted local funds and taxes, state & federal grants, and the CARES Act funds or Education Stabilization Funds. Congress passed these Acts that provide funding for education during the Pandemic. The total Education Stabilization Fund revenues budgeted were $5,099,000 and expenditures were $3.7 million. The district Maintenance and Operating funds do not reflect anything unusual. The funds continue to pay utilities for the district. The sales tax revenue estimates have increased by 15.9%. Ms. Duke asked for any questions, hearing none, she recommended that the Board adopt the revised 2020-2021 budget.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the revised budget for 2020-2021.
Debbie Pender, Technology/Data/Security Coordinator, reminded the Board that last month she requested permission to advertise for proposals for interactive panels and peripherals. The district has been made aware that ESSER II funds will be available sooner than expected. Ms. Pender said she would like to revise last month’s request because the district is in need of replacing or purchasing new interactive panels, teacher laptops, charging carts, and document cameras. ESSER II funds can be used to purchase these items.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for proposals for the above-mentioned items in accordance with state law and local policies.
Board members were reminded by Ms. Duke 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. She 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 $104,986.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the fall allocations of school instructional supply money as outlined above.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett stated that the 2020 census data should be released later this month. The Lincoln Parish Police Jury and Lincoln Parish School Board have historically worked together in developing the voting districts. He said he is requesting to work together with the Police Jury to hire a firm to complete reapportionment for the Police Jury and the School Board districts. There will be a cost break if we work with the Police Jury for reapportionment. Both bodies will be kept informed during the process, and a joint meeting will be held when complete so the plan can be approved.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the Resolution relative to the election districts of the Lincoln Parish School Board, and authorize and direct it’s duly elected President to execute the Contract for Demographic Services with Strategic Demographics, LLC.
Ms. Duke shared that the School Board had received notice in April 2021 of settlement of nationwide litigation between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Plaintiffs that had been ongoing for the past 8 years. The dispute is about violations of corporate antitrust laws in licensing agreements within the BCBS systems. BCBS denies all allegations, but has agreed to make monetary payments to claimants and some operational changes to avoid further risk and litigation costs. The Net Settlement Fund amount paid by BCBS is $1.9 billion. It will be split between two settlement classes, the Damage Class (fully insured participants) is entitled to 93.5%, or $1.78 billion and the Self-Funded Sub-Class is entitled to 6.5%, or $120 million. The School Board’s major medical and dental plan falls under the Self-Funded Sub-Class. The settlement is based on total administrative fees only, including the cost of stop loss coverage paid by LPSB to BCBS for the period of September 1, 2015, through October 16, 2020. In order to participate in any settlement, the Board must register as a claimant. She recommended that the Board register as a claimant.
Upon a motion by Dr. Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Best and Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the participation of Lincoln Parish School Board’s self-funded health and dental plans in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Settlement; and grant authorization to Superintendent Durrett and his assigns, to execute and submit any agreements necessary to participate and receive any settlement proceeds awarded.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. The last day for the second summer school session was July 23. He believes the students benefited from the four weeks of instruction for pre-k through 8th grade.
2. The maintenance and custodial staff have gone “above and beyond” this summer getting the schools clean and ready for the start of the school year. They have worked hard and done a great job.
3. Bus drivers will sanitize every bus, every morning after their routes. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and secretaries will be cleaning desks and surfaces to make the schools as safe as possible. Our goal is to have all students in-person every day, all year long. We believe that test scores will reveal that students that were in person last year performed better than those that were virtual.
4. Administrator workshops will begin this Thursday, August 5, at the New Tech building at Ruston High, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Attorney Jon Guice will speak to administrators and other school leaders on Friday, August 6, at the STEM Center. He will cover laws and policies that everyone needs to be aware of for the upcoming school year.
5. Teachers will report to work Monday, August 16, and students will begin classes on Thursday, August 19. The Governor has mandated masks be worn indoors. Masks will be required for kindergarten through 12th grade. This is to keep everyone as safe as possible.
There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
________________________ ___________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President