LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Ms. Susan Wiley.
Mr. David Ferguson was absent.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests that were present. Mr. Hancock gave the invocation and Ms. Lisa Bastion, Chief Pandemic Officer/Assistant 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 Ms. Wiley, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 1, 2022.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Special Called Session of March 8, 2022.
Talented art teacher Maggie Boudreaux introduced Reggie McLeroy, Erin Hanna, Crystal Pye, and Deana Revels who are also talented art teachers in the district. Ms. Boudreaux thanked the Lincoln Parish School District and the state of Louisiana for the talented art program which is impactful and beneficial to our youth and the community. The art program is a special education program which begins in 6th grade. Students must submit a portfolio of their art and are administered state testing to earn entrance into the program which is a career path for many students. Ms. Boudreaux shared artwork and letters that several students wrote to the first lady of Louisiana thanking the state for the program and expressing what a difference it has made in their lives. She invited those present to view an art display in the lobby of the central office and thanked the district again for their support.
Ms. Bastion updated the Board on the status of four distinct waves of federal pandemic relief funding that have been received or will be received in the next few years. The funds are not received up front; the district has to budget it, the state has to approve the budget, then reimbursements are submitted monthly.
She explained that the first wave of funds came largely out of the CARES Act passed by Congress in March of 2020. From that Act, Lincoln Parish was allocated $2.6 million from a formula based on district and poverty levels. The primary uses were to follow CDC guidelines on virus safety and prepare for distance learning. There were as many as 800 students doing full virtual learning at one time. Spending categories for the first wave included new technology devices for students and teachers, online curriculum platforms, hot spot connectivity services, personal protective equipment, and the salary for a District Coordinator of Emergency Operations position. Ms. Bastion said that a proportionate share of funding to A.E. Phillips and Howard School flowed through our district.
Ms. Bastion shared that the second wave of federal funds were part of the Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in March 2021. Like the first wave, part of the focus was to address “preparing, preventing, and responding to COVID-19”, but also to “emerge stronger by Building Back Better”. Lincoln Parish received $9.1 million from this wave of funds. These funds went toward reimbursing the district for continuation and emergency pay for support staff during spring 2020 school shutdown, employee emergency sick leave, nurses, professional development for virtual instruction, emergency curriculum coaches and more. She said this wave caught the district in the middle of its 5-year strategic plan, so they tied as much of the funding as they could into that existing plan.
The third wave came around the same time as the second, but it came out of the American Rescue Plan Act. This one was well over $20 million, more than $4 million of which had to be requested based on instructional strategies that had established research backing them up. Among the research-based fund uses were instructional resources for literacy and science, mental health counselors in schools and digital curriculum expenses.
Finally, there was a separate wave of “set-aside” funds out of the American Rescue Plan. These were allocations set aside to specifically address needs to homeless students, special education students, and early childhood. Ms. Bastion said the district has not actually received all these various funds yet. The first wave must be spent by this September. Superintendent Ricky Durrett said the district is on track to do that. The other waves of funds expire sequentially each September until 2024.
James Payton, New Construction Coordinator, narrated several photographs and gave the following construction update:
1. The Eco-Car building is finally complete. The architect did a good job with the design and the contractor did a good job with the construction of the building. There are several examples of quality workmanship in the building. There are many deserving students that will use the new building.
2. The cars have already been moved into the building and students are working on getting the cars ready for a competition in Indianapolis next week.
3. There is also space available for a physics classroom if needed.
The following personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Retirement of Angela Hoffman, elementary director at Sismboro School, effective August 13, 2022.
2. Administrative Points of Reference effective July 1, 2022:
Michelle Thrower, from Dubach School as interim principal to K-2 ELA Facilitator at the central office; Tiffany Curry, from coordinating teacher at Dubach School to interim principal, replacing Michelle Thrower who transferred; and Justin Barron, from Academic Project Coordinator to Supervisor of Special Education, replacing Lisa Wilmore who retired.
3. Retirement of the following effective May 28, 2022, unless otherwise noted:
Frances Elliott, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant Elementary, effective May 27, 2022;
Gloria Dubose, special education paraprofessional at Choudrant Elementary, effective May 27, 2022;
Brenda Brister, health and physical education teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Augustine Moore, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Elizabeth White, teacher at Choudrant Elementary:
Clara Rugg, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Theresa Nichols, teacher at Hillcrest, effective February 26, 2022;
Virginia Aycock, secretary at LPECC, effective June 11, 2022;
Elaine Beavers, teacher at Ruston Elementary;
Tina Merritt, special education teacher at Ruston Junior High; and
Evelyn Levingston, special education paraprofessional at Simsboro School, effective May 27, 2022.
4. Staff Point of Reference of James Odom, from payroll manager at central office to accounting manager replacing Kathy Pool who is retiring, effective July 1, 2022.
5. Resignation of the following effective May 28, 2022, unless otherwise noted:
Morgan Northern, speech therapist at Choudrant Elementary;
Janet Davis, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Roselyn Henry, teacher at Cypress Springs;
Pamela McFarland, teacher at Glen View;
Maggie Graham, pre-k teacher at LPECC;
Colleen Savage, school psychologist at Pupil Appraisal, effective June 14, 2022;
Andre’a Metoyer, social studies teacher at Ruston High;
Zachary White, math teacher at Ruston High;
Sara Johnston, science teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective April 9, 2022; and
Logan Sims, math teacher at Simsboro School.
6. Employment of the following:
Gina Thomas, payroll coordinator at central office, effective March 1, 2022, replacing James Odom who is transferring;
John Colt Dunbar, social studies teacher at Ruston High, effective March 28, 2022, replacing Raeann Stuart who resigned; and
Kristen Ragan, math teacher at Simsboro School, effective March 11, 2022, replacing Jonathan Kelly who resigned.
7. Resignation of Jo Givens, bus operator in the Ruston area, effective March 21, 2022.
8. Retirement of the following effective June 4, 2022:
Catherine Holyfield, cafeteria manager at I. A, Lewis; and
Glenda Samuel, cafeteria manager at Ruston Elementary.
Mr. Durrett reminded the Board that Ms. Michelle Thrower was asked last year to move from the central office to interim principal at Dubach School. She did a great job and her hard work is appreciated. We are now moving her back to the central office as K-2 ELA Facilitator. Her assistant has been Ms. Tiffany Curry, and we have asked her to move into the interim principal position. Ms. Lisa Wilmore announced her plans to retire last month; following an interview process, Mr. Justin Barron was chosen as the new Supervisor of Special Education. We look forward to him leading that department. Mr. Barron said he is excited about the opportunity to serve our students, teachers, and the community in general. He said he is ready to get to work.
Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager, reported March 2022 sales tax collections were up 21.8% compared to the same month last year. Total year-to-date collections were 23.4% higher than collections at this time last year. The performance equivalent for the fiscal year-to-date is 12.37%.
In her financial update for the month ending February 2022, Ms. Duke reported the total General Operating Funds ending fund balance was $25.2 million, which is higher than this time last year due to the additional collections of the 2020 Sales Tax adding to that fund balance. Total undesignated fund balance for the month in the General Operating Funds was 30.5%. Total ending fund balance of all funds was $45.9 million.
Ms. Duke reported on the Health Insurance Fund, stating that year-to-date total net assets had a positive amount of $140,199, increasing for the month of February by $223,000. Total expenditures for the first two months of the year were $1.5 million compared to $1.6 million this time last year.
Debbie Pender, Technology/Data/Security Coordinator, opined that technology team member Daryl Savage had been very thorough over the past year visiting all schools to determine technology needs at each location. She shared that the Lincoln Parish School District had posted three requests for proposals for interactive panels, desktops, and laptops. ESSER 2 and/or ESSER 3 Formula funds will be the source of funding for these devices. She is in the process of receiving these proposals which have a deadline of April 19, 2022. Ms. Pender stated that she was asking the Board to grant permission to award contracts to the vendors. She would return before the Board at a later date to review the process of ordering, receiving, and installing the devices.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously granted permission to award contracts following the evaluations of the proposal received for Nos. IT22-101, IT22-102, and IT22-103 for the above-mentioned items in accordance with state law and local policies.
Rik Cason, Transportation Supervisor, stated that in order to continue to provide a safe and efficient bus service for the students of Lincoln Parish and to meet the demands of extracurricular activities such as athletics and field trips, it is vital that new buses are purchased on a yearly basis. Mr. Cason shared with the Board that as the fleet of buses age, there are always buses that need to be replaced due to mileage and/or chronic maintenance issues. In addition, participation in the DERA Federal Grant Program requires purchase of matching number of buses to the number of buses taken off line in the grant application. Mr. Cason made a point to mention that he usually makes the request to purchase buses earlier in the year but the request was delayed due to the grant process. He said that the purchase of five new buses would allow the transportation department to continue to upgrade its fleet and to provide reliable service to all students. The payment will be made from the 1993 millage, allocated for the purchase of buses.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to purchase five new conventional school buses.
John Young, Chief Administrative & Operations Officer/Assistant Superintendent asked board members to study a revision to one policy, GBRHA – Sabbatical Leave. The revision removes sabbatical leave as a type of leave offered to employees. Due to critical shortages in many high need areas, this leave is being recommended for revision. Formal action will be taken at the May board meeting.
The Board was reminded by Ms. Duke that each year schools are allocated monies from the 1979 Sales Tax Fund to purchase instructional supplies. This allocation is based upon student enrollment as of October 1, 2021. She proposed the same per pupil allocations from the previous year, but noted the total amount was slightly lower than last year because of a decrease in students. Distributions will be made directly to each school and expenditures will be accounted for in their local school accounting records accordingly. The $69,781.25 distribution Ms. Duke recommended was:
Art PK-12- $1.75 per student
Physical Education PK-12 - $1.75 per student
Library Supplies PK-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Music PK-5 - $1.25 per student
6-12 - $1.75 per student
Magazines & PK-6 - $3.00 per student
Newspapers 7-12 - $3.25 per student
Science PK-6 - $1.50 per student
7-8 - $3.00 per student
9-12 - $4.50 per student
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the allocation of instructional supply monies from the 1979 Sales Tax Fund in the amount of $69,781.25 to be distributed to schools for the 2022-23 school year.
Architect Mike Walpole stated change order #2 on the Ruston High School Eco-Car building involves a $6,000 credit which is unusual in a construction project. The credit is due to $6,000 in allowances which were not used. Change orders involve two things in construction, money and days. Mr. Walpole said additional days are being requested on this project due to material deliveries, Covid related matters, and many other set-backs. Mr. Walpole and Mr. Payton requested permission from the Board to formally approve change order #2 for construction of the Eco-Car building at Ruston High School. Mr. Payton gave the details of the change order as follows:
Item#1 Hardware Allowance credit ($1,000.00)
Item#2 Contingency Allowance credit ($5,000.00)
Item#3 Add 222 days to the contract time
If change order #2 is approved, the new contract price will be $372,861.00, down $6,000.00 from the original contract price of $378,861.00. In addition, the contract time will be increased by 222 days.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve change order #2 for the Ruston High School Eco-Car building with a decrease in price from $378,861.00 to $372,861.00 and adding 222 days to the completion date making the Substantial Completion date March 22, 2022.
Mr. Payton then informed board members that work was complete on the Eco-Car building at Ruston High School. At this time, it is necessary to request formal permission from the Board to execute Substantial Completion on this project. Substantial Completion means the owner can use and occupy the building and is responsible for insurance, maintenance, and operation of the building.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission and authorize the Superintendent, his staff, and the architect to execute Substantial Completion documents for the Ruston High Eco-Car building.
Ms. Duke was happy to report the increase in sales tax collections year-to-date and estimated collections through the fiscal year, has resulted in funds being available to increase the May (14th) Supplement Check by $1,166 for salaried certificated employees and $583 for support staff. Ms. Duke requested the Board’s approval of the increase and the distribution of the supplemental checks.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of salary supplements on May 25, 2022, in the amounts of $6,464 to salaried certificated personnel and $3,232 to salaried support personnel.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. There will be a Job Fair April 19 at the STEM Center from 4:30-6:30 for prospective teachers.
2. Tier 3 Personal Financial Disclosure Statements were placed in board members’ portfolios. They are due May 16.
3. Also placed in portfolios was a form requesting information for the auditors.
After comments from board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President