LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 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, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
President Gullatt called the meeting to order, and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Ms. Doss led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on February 1, 2022, as distributed.
Brandon Sutherland, Communications Coordinator, communicated that the Lincoln Parish School system has some of the most remarkable students in the state. He introduced the three who were district students of the year. They were A.E Phillips fifth grader Avery Dixon, A.E. Phillips eighth grader Melissa Le, and Ruston High School senior Jason Willis. He summarized background on each student and shared the process to reach this level in the competition. Several board members congratulated the finalists and wished them well as they progress in the competition and in the future.
Mr. Sutherland shared that in addition to remarkable students, we have remarkable teachers as well. Melane Slocum of Simsboro Elementary was named elementary District Teacher of the Year, Karla Doss of Simsboro Elementary was named upper elementary District Teacher of the Year, Megan Hadley of Choudrant High School was named junior high District Teacher of the Year, and Ashlee Bell of Ruston High School was named high school District Teacher of the Year. He gave background information on each teacher and thanked them for their service and dedication.
Jenny Blalock of A.E. Phillips was named elementary District Principal of the Year and Tony Antley was named high school District Principal of the Year. Mr. Sutherland congratulated and wished them well at the state level.
Mr. Sutherland called attention back to Jason Willis who had been recognized in November as a National Merit Semi-Finalist and was here tonight to be recognized as a National Merit Finalist. Mr. Sutherland explained that approximately 1.5 million high school students entered the National Merit Scholarship Program with the nationwide pool of finalists representing less than 1% of U.S. High School seniors. Only 15,000 students were named finalists to advance to the next level of competition. Jason was presented a plaque in recognition of his outstanding achievements. He introduced his family and thanked them for their support.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett shared that Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March 17, 2022, as Retired Teachers Day. He said retired teachers are appreciated for all they have done throughout the years. The retired teachers continue to support the district as we educate our Lincoln Parish children. Several retired teachers are current board members and their service was appreciated.
In the absence of Debbie Pender, Technology Coordinator, Seth Grigsby, Network Administrator, reminded board members that at the January board meeting, the Board approved for the Technology Department to post an RFP for additional Category 1 and Category 2 Services. The district received five proposals from vendors on Friday, February 11, 2022. They were Hunt Communications and A Uniti Company and Suddenlink Business Service for Category 1 Services. Category 2 Service proposals were received from Hunt Telecommunications, A Uniti Company, Skyrider Communications, and Suddenlink Business Services.
Following a review and evaluation of each proposal, Mr. Grigsby said he and Ms. Pender recommend Hunt Telecommunications and Skyrider Communications.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve and enter into contract with Hunt Telecommunications, A Uniti Company for Category 1 Services (WAN) and Skyrider Communications for Category 2 Services (Fiber Projects).
John Young, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Administration and Operations Officer, shared that the proposed school calendar exceeds the minimum instructional minutes for students (63,720). Included in the calendar are five professional development days for staff members. The calendar may be adjusted based on emergency closures. He asked the Board to adopt the proposed calendar.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed calendar for the 2022-23 school year as follows:
Lincoln Parish 2022 – 2023 School Calendar
Staff Development August 15-17, 2022
First Day of School for Students (Full Day) August 18, 2022
Labor Day September 5, 2022
Staff Development Day October 7, 2022
Fall Break October 10-14, 2022
End of 1st Nine Weeks October 21, 2022
Election Day November 8, 2022
Thanksgiving November 21-25, 2022
Christmas/New Year December 21, 2022 –
January 3, 2023
Staff Development Day January 4, 2023
End of 2nd Nine Weeks/Semester 1st January 13, 2023
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 16, 2023
Presidents’ Day February 20, 2023
Spring Break March 13-17, 2023
End of 3rd Nine Weeks March 24, 2023
Easter Break April 7-10, 2023
Last day for Students & Teachers (Full Day) May 26, 2023
End of 4th Nine Weeks
Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, stated that each year we recognize the importance of support personnel in the parish including school bus operators, food service employees, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance technicians, paraprofessionals, and others that are vital to the efficient operation of our school system. He recommended that the Board adopt a Resolution designating April 25-29, 2022, as Support Personnel Week.
Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
That the Lincoln Parish School Board designate the week of April 25-29, 2022, as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish and copies of this Resolution be sent to each school in Lincoln Parish and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Mr. Durrett shared that currently the School Board is under a 5-year contract with Mike Walpole for architect services that will terminate on December 31, 2022. Plans are currently being considered by administration to fund new capital projects with federal ESSER funds. In order for the cost of architect services to be funded with federal funds, we are requesting permission to procure these services utilizing the request for proposals process to comply with federal procurement regulations.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission for administration to advertise and request proposals for architect services.
Mr. Young stated that due to the necessity of the revision of GBRK – Annual Leave, the Board is being asked to temporarily suspend Board Policy BD – School Board Policy, and immediately approve the revisions to GBRK – Annual Leave. The policy revision sets the cap at a maximum of 25 days of annual leave that can be taken in one calendar year with a limit of 10 days of annual leave being used while school is in session. It also places a cap of 50 on the total number of annual leave days an employee can accrue. This will ensure that 12-month employees do not take excessive amounts of annual leave as they near retirement. Twelve-month employees hired prior to January 1, 2002 will be paid down to 25 annual leave days in April 2022.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to temporarily suspend Policy BD- School Board Policy, which requires the introduction of policies and revisions at one meeting and approval at the next.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve revisions to GBRK – Annual Leave.
The following personnel items were reported by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Retirement of the following effective July 1, 2022:
Rik Cason, transportation coordinator; and
Lisa Wilmore, supervisor of Special Education.
2. Administrative Point of Reference:
David Hoefler, transportation coordinator effective July 1, 2022, replacing Rik Cason who is retiring.
3. Retirement of the following effective June 28, 2022, unless noted otherwise:
Sheryl Durrett, Human Resources Assistant at the Central Office, effective July 1, 2022
Alice Higginbotham, educational diagnostician at Pupil Appraisal;
Gloria Miller, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective May 28, 2022;
Cheryle Buggs, health and physical education teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective May 28, 2022; and
Donna Miles, facilitator of special education services at Special Education.
4. Resignation of the following effective May 28, 2022;
Johnnie Simon, library media specialist at Choudrant Elementary;
Morgan Songer, teacher at Glen View Elementary; and
Kelli Edwards, math teacher at Ruston High School.
5. Resignation of Lucita Foster, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective February 17, 2022.
6. Employment of the following effective January 31, 2022, unless noted otherwise:
Dolores Brewster, bus operator in the Choudrant area, replacing Edwin Bryan who resigned;
Jessica Jenkins, bus operator in the Ruston area, replacing Mika Bourgeois who resigned;
Ronnie Elmore, bus operator in the Ruston area effective February 1, 2022, replacing Becky Brawley who retired;
Michael Griffith, bus operator in the Ruston area effective February 17, 2022, replacing Lucita Foster who resigned;
Brent Kelly, bus operator in the Ruston area effective February 23, 2022, replacing Nathan Burks who resigned; and
Kristin Patton, bus operator in the Ruston area effective February 24, 2022, replacing Mozelene Holland who retired.
7. Termination of Mary Walker, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High, effective February 4, 2022.
Mr. Durrett announced that Transportation Coordinator Rik Cason has announced his retirement after 36 years of service with the school system, effective at the end of the fiscal year. Following the interview process, David Hoefler was chosen to replace Mr. Cason. Mr. Durrett said he has confidence that Mr. Hoefler will lead the department well.
Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager, reported that total sales tax collections for the month of February 2022 were up 12.9% over collections from the same month in the prior year and were up 23.6% in total year-to-date. The fiscal year-to-date economic performance equivalent is up 11.2%.
Moving on to the January 2022 financial report, Ms. Duke stated that the total fund balance in the General Operating funds was $25.9 million and the undesignated fund balance was $17.2 million, which was 31.9% of budgeted operating expenditures. Total revenues collected to date in the General Operating Funds was $34.1 million and total expenses were $26.4 million. Year-to-date revenues including all special revenue funds and grant program funds were $48.1 million, total expenditures were $33.9 million, and the total ending fund balance was $47 million.
Ms. Duke reported on the Health Insurance Fund, stating that this is the first month of the new plan year, which is reported on a calendar year basis. Total expenses for the month of January were $1.2 million, which were down slightly compared to the same month last year. Total plan contributions were $1.1 million for the month, and net assets declined $82,948.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said that:
1. The election for the millage renewal is March 26. The millage for parishwide Consolidated School District No. 1 expires after the 2022 tax collection. The proposed renewal rate is 10 mills, which is used to replace school buses, purchase classroom curriculum and library resources; school internet services; school data management systems, supports health insurance programs for employees and retirees, to name a few. Also on the ballot will be Ruston School District No. 1, which will expire after the 2023 tax collection. The proposed renewal rate is 2.53 mills, and the revenue collected from this tax pays for utilities in the Ruston schools. Absentee voting is March 12 -19; polls are open 8:30 to 6:00. These are not new taxes; they are renewals. He encouraged everyone to vote.
2. Covid numbers are down district-wide. Masks are now optional on buses; which was recommended by the CDC.
3. The Simsboro High and Ruston High basketball teams will play at home tonight in the second round of the playoffs. Choudrant beat Florien Monday and have advanced to the quarterfinals. We wish all the teams good luck.
4. The board meetings will be held at the central office beginning next month at the April 6 meeting.
5. Jon Guice will conduct school board member training on March 24, at the STEM Center, from 9:00 to 12:00.
6. March 11 will be a professional development day for teachers. Teachers can work at their schools or conduct parent-teacher conferences.
7. There will be a Job Fair on April 19 at the STEM Center from 4:30 to 6:30. We hope to see a lot of perspective teachers attend.
8. Summer School will be June 6 – 24 with the emphasis on kindergarten – 2nd grade and will be held at Hillcrest Elementary. Summer School will be 5 days a week and buses will run. High School will have remediation for EOC LEAP 2025 during the same time. An ACT Prep class will be held one week prior to the June ACT Test.
After several comments from board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary David E. Gullatt, President