LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 7, 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, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
Mr. Hunter Smith was present remotely but could not vote.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order and Mr. Hancock gave the invocation. Ms. Best led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
President Mitcham asked if there were any comments from the public before voting on the adoption of the agenda. A parent raised her hand and requested to be placed on the agenda. Ms. Best made the motion, Ms. Abrahm seconded, to amend the agenda and allow the parent to be placed on the agenda. A roll call vote was taken, there were five yes votes, six no votes, and one member present remotely that could not vote. The motion was denied.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Gullatt, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 2, 2021, as distributed.
Following a month of studying one policy revision and one new policy, John Young, Chief Administrative and Operations Officer/Assistant Superintendent, recommended board members approve the proposed changes to the policy manual.
Upon a motion by Dr, Gullatt, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to DFL – Cash Management and Investments and to add policy DEC – Municipal Advisor to the policy manual.
Juanita Duke, Chief Financial Officer/Business Manager, stated the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce expires on December 31, 2021. For the immeasurable value of the benefits received for the nominal $650 fee, the Administration recommended the adoption of the one-year CEA, which is an annual request.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett reminded the Board that board members are required to complete six continuing education hours annuallybecause of Act 705 of the 2010 legislative session. An additional responsibility has been imposed by revised statute 43:1170, requiring elected officials to receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act during each term of office. Finally, a press release providing the training status of each member must be published in the official journal each year. Mr. Durrett asked for permission to publish the board members' 2021 training hours; all twelve board members met or exceeded the minimum requisite.
Upon a motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Ms. Abrahm and Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to enter board members' 2021 training certificates into the official minutes of the Board.
Mr. Young asked board members to study revisions to seven policies, DJE – Purchasing, DJED – Bids and Quotations, GBRHA – Sabbatical Leave, GBRIB – Sick Leave, IHAD – Parent Conferences, JG – Student Welfare, and JQE – Expectant and Parenting Students. The latter five policy revisions all change the term “guidance” counselor to “school” counselor. Formal action will be taken at the January board meeting.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, narrated several pictures in his construction update.
1. Work at the Eco-Car building continues. The roof was completed today. The building should be secure and enclosed by Christmas. There is no projected completion date at this time.
2. The parking lot at Simsboro School, to the east of the gymnasium and west of the track, was in poor condition. Recently it was resurfaced and “striped” making space for 9 school buses and 82 vehicles. This project was completed just in time for basketball season. The upgrade enhanced the appearance of the area.
3. A batting cage has been built at the Simsboro softball field. Coaches and their staff will install the netting and batting machines. When funds are available, a batting cage will be built at the baseball field.
Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, communicated the following personnel changes:
1. Retirement of the following:
Angela Nalitt, teacher at Glen View, effective December 18, 2021; and
Debra Conn, curriculum strategist at Hillcrest, effective November 2, 2021.
2. Resignation of the following effective December 18, 2021, unless noted otherwise:
Kelley Westfall, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Candace Cole, teacher at Dubach School, effective December 7, 2021;
Alyssa Moore, speech therapist at Hillcrest; and
Elaine Johnson, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective November 20, 2021.
3. Employment of the following effective November 19, 2021, unless noted otherwise:
Kristin Canterberry, Payroll Assistant at central office effective December 1, 2021, replacing LaToya Pierre who resigned;
David Johnson, teacher at Cypress Springs effective January 3, 2022, replacing Kelley Westfall who resigned;
Katie Pyles, teacher at Dubach School, replacing Candice Cole who resigned; and
Kelli Stephenson, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Elaine Johnson who resigned.
4. Resignation of Matilda Boles, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective November 16, 2021.
5. Retirement of Sarah Williams, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective November 20, 2021.
6. Employment of the following effective November 8, 2021, unless otherwise noted:
Joseph Roberson, bus operator in the Ruston area, replacing Sylvia Nash who resigned;
Harrison Walker, bus operator in the Ruston area, replacing Jacob Simmons who resigned; and
Greg Morrow, bus operator in the Dubach area effective November 16, 2021, replacing Matilda Boles who resigned.
Ms. Duke shared that we are now comparing the same sales tax rate in effect with the November 2020 collections of 2.5%. Collections for the month of November were up 6.5% over this month last year and total collections for the fiscal year were up 47.8%. The performance equivalent is equal to actual performance of 6.5% over November 2020 and the fiscal year-to-date performance equivalent is up 5.2%.
Ms. Duke reported that the General Operating Fund had an unassigned fund balance of 19.2%, which is above the 10-15% range that the Board needs to maintain for bond ratings. She said that some grant programs had credit balances; which is normal. These grants are reimbursable, which means funds are spent up front and reimbursed to the district from the Department of Education. The 5 Mil Maintenance fund balance was $960,000, no direct transfers have needed to be made this year.
Moving on to the Health Care Fund, total contributions for the month of October were $1.2 million according to Ms. Duke. Total plan expenses were $1.5 million for the month, with claims being $1.2 million, and fixed costs $343,000. The monthly average ten months into the year was $780,000. Total plan expenses to date are $11.2 million compared to $9.3 million at this time last year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. The district received Simulated School Performance numbers on December 3. We were very pleased considering we were dealing with Covid last year. The district score dropped from 88.9 to 86.7, which is still a B. Choudrant High, Cypress Springs, Dubach, Glen View, Hillcrest, and Ruston Elementary improved their scores. Dubach improved from a D to a C. The middle school and some high schools scores dropped; they were attending every other day at the beginning of the year last year. This shows the importance of students being in school every day and teachers working with them every day. Things are going well this year and we anticipate seeing growth in our schools going forward.
2. Because the district has a shortage of bus operators; we are always recruiting.
3. There will be meetings December 16, 17, and 18 if needed, with Bill Blair regarding the Reapportionment. Board members and police jurors will both meet to develop a plan. The goal is to bring it before the Board at the January meeting.
4. Crisis plans have been reviewed recently and will be discussed at the principals’ meeting tomorrow. They will also discuss how a threat at a school should be handled. Our students’ safety is very important. Becky Stutzman, supervisor of the school mental health counselors, is very involved with Tim Nutt and the school principals making sure protocols are followed.
5. The LSBA convention will be March 6-8, 2022, in Baton Rouge. Registration information is in board members’ portfolios.
6. A French Immersion meeting will be held Thursday, December 9, at 5:00 in the gymnasium at Glen View Elementary.
7. Classes are now being held at the STEM Center daily. He asked board members to let him know how they feel about moving the board meetings back to the Central Office.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President