LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the STEM Center located at 525 Tarbutton Road in Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, 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.
Ms. Lisa Best was absent.
President Gullatt called the meeting to order and gave the invocation. John Young, Chief Administration & Operations Officer/Assistant Superintendent led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Dr. Gullatt welcomed the media and guests that were present.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 11, 2022, as presented.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Special Joint Session with the Lincoln Parish Police Jury held on January 24, 2022, as presented.
Terri Belknap, Assistive Technology Specialist, explained to board members and guests that assistive technology is used for students that need accommodations. This type of technology does not have to be expensive or high-tech; it can include pictures, writing support, adaptive paper, to items that are in fact high-tech. In inclusion and resource classes, the most widely used accommodation for students with IEPs and 504s is “read aloud”.
In the past, a teacher would give this accommodation orally, but with the use of technology, we can use “text to speech” which can give students more independence and free up the teacher’s time. As students graduate, they will be able to take the technology they have learned and use it in future endeavors. Ms. Belknap noted that research shows that “text to speech” builds reading skills, comprehension, and fluency. “Speech to text” and “word prediction” are assistive technology that are similar to cell phone capabilities. When students speak, “speech to text” types for them and “word prediction” helps with spelling. The students with writing disabilities have stronger verbal communication than written skills. Students are allowed this accommodation, even in testing.
Bookshare is an online library with over 1 million books that are digital text which are free to any student with a print disability. Print disabilities include visually and physically impaired students or those with any type of reading barrier. Bookshare is underused in the district and Ms. Belknap is working hard to increase its use. Reading pens and classroom amplification are other assistive technologies.
Ms. Belknap shared examples of technology used with self-contained students and students with significant disabilities. Communication devices can speak for a child that has no communication or limited communication. Students with physical limitations that are unable to access a computer, books, toys, or smart boards use switches. Visual schedules and sensory supports are very helpful for students on the autism spectrum that have behavior or transition issues. Alternate keyboards and adaptive writing tools are other examples of assistive technology. She said her goals for Lincoln Parish in assistive technology consist of constantly updating technology, finding new technology, and increasing the utilization of Bookshare, both at school and at home. She has also been working with the Pupil Appraisal team to be part of the initial evaluation process so she will be aware of what assistive technology students will need.
In the absence of Dr. Doris Lewis, Lisa Bastion, Chief Pandemic Officer/Assistant Superintendent, verbalized the following:
1. Resignation of Maryanne Smith, English teacher at Ruston High School, effective January 29, 2022.
2. Employment of Kristen Telford, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective January 24, 2022, replacing Tina Hogan who resigned; and
Stephanie Treadway, English teacher at Ruston High School, effective February 1, 2022, replacing Maryanne Smith who resigned.
3. Retirement of Mozelene Holland, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective January 19, 2022; and
Becky Brawley, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective February 1, 2022.
4. Resignation of Nathan Burks, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective January 26, 2022; and
Mika Bourgeois, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective January 29, 2022.
5. Employment of Samatha Haub, cafeteria technician at Choudrant Elementary, effective February 7, 2022, replacing Dana Land who resigned.
According to Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager, sales tax collections for the month of January were up 11.2% compared to the same month last year. Total year-to-date collections were up 25.09%, with 11.43% being due to the 2020 sales tax collected during the months of July through October 2021. The year-to-date performance equivalent is up 13.67%.
Moving on to the December 2021 financial statement, Ms. Duke shared that for the first six months of the year revenues in General Funds were $26.5 million. The first collections of 2021 property taxes were received for December, which increased fund balances in the maintenance and operating funds. The General Fund undesignated fund balance is 26.1% of the budgeted expenditures. Total revenues collected across all funds year-to-date were $36.4 million, total expenditures were $28.7 million, and the total combined ending fund balance for all funds was $40.5 million.
Ms. Duke explained that the December health insurance fund report looked different because employees were given a health insurance premium “holiday” during the month of December. This “holiday” was due to the board-approved change in the deduction cycle for premiums from “the month before” to the “month of” coverage. This dropped contributions to $339,650 compared to the monthly average contributions of $1.1 million. Total plan expenditures for the month were $1.1 million. She reminded the board the December report is the last report for the health plan year. Plan annual expenditures were $13.6 million compared to $11.4 million last plan year, and net assets decreased $378,462 for the plan year.
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, chemicals, pest control, and produce for the school food service department for 2022–2023. She explained that this was a routine request brought before the Board annually.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, 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, chemicals, pest control, and the purchase of produce for the 2022-2023 school year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. Letters of Intent were sent today to teachers, faculty, and staff. Employees will submit these to the Human Resource office declaring their intention for next school year. When returned, we will start working with principals on staffing for next year.
2. District Students of the Year and Teachers of the Year have been recognized in the last few weeks at their schools. They will all compete at the state level. This deserving group will be recognized at the March board meeting.
3. The Eco-Car team recently competed in San Antonio at the Electro-thon. This is the first year the team has entered the competition. They have not been able to attend the Shell Eco-Marathon for the last two years due to Covid. The team built two cars, which 23 students and their sponsors took to the competition. There were 18 schools from Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Ruston was the only team from Louisiana. They placed first and second, which was very impressive since it was their first time to compete. The Shell Eco-Car Marathon will take place in Indianapolis in April. We will be sending the team with three different cars they have built. The Eco-Car building should be finished in the near future.
After several comments, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Mitcham.
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Ricky Durrett, Secretary David E. Gullatt, President