LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

 

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, June 7, 2022   6:00 p.m.

 

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana.  Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. David Ferguson, 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. Mr. Mack gave the invocation, and Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Doss and Mr. Ferguson, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to amend the agenda adding two items of New Business: 7.8 Simsboro School Basketball Lockers and 7.9 Materials and Supplies for 2022-2023 School Year and adopt the amended agenda.

 

 Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on May 3, 2022, as distributed.

 

John Young, Chief Administrative and Operations Officer/Assistant Superintendent, shared that the 2021-2022 sports seasons at all 3 high schools yielded a total of 5 team LHSAA state championships. Simsboro School won their second consecutive LHSAA Class B Boys’ basketball state title. They have won an impressive 5 championships in the last 7 years. Simsboro also won the LHSAA Class B Boys’ outdoor track and field championship. Ruston High School’s boys’ and girls’ indoor track and field teams won Division I State Championships. Choudrant High claimed its 6th baseball state championship and won back to back Class B baseball titles for the first time in school history. Mr. Young introduced Simsboro principal Rusty Farrar, Ruston track coach Allen Whitaker, and Choudrant principal and baseball coach Tony Antley who all in turn introduced athletes that were in attendance. President Mitcham congratulated the coaches and athletes on their accomplishments.

 

Ms. Juanita Duke, CFO/Business Manager shared the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget for 2022-2023 that was proposed and approved at their meeting on May 17. Ms. Duke noted that the budget was prepared by Denise Griggs, Sales and Use Tax Commission Administrator, who was absent this evening. The total proposed operating budget for the next fiscal year is $382,795. The estimated cost share that was approved for Lincoln Parish School Board for the next fiscal period was about 43% of operating costs or $94,174. Ms. Duke recommended to approve the proposed budget.  Mr. Mitcham and Mr. Smith commented that the Commission is very efficient and does an excellent job collecting and disbursing sales tax collections.   

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2022-2023 Sales and Use Tax Commission’s proposed budget.

 

                        Ms. Duke reminded the Board that each year schools are allocated monies from the 1979 sales tax fund to purchase instructional supplies. This allocation is based upon the 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.  The $69,794.50 distribution Ms. Duke recommended was as follows:

 

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. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Wiley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the distribution of $69,794.50 from 1979 sales tax monies for instructional supply money for the 2022-2023 school year as mentioned above.

 

Justin Barron, Special Education Supervisor, communicated that there were approximately 250 technology items that are either obsolete or are damaged beyond repair. He said that a list of the items was included in the board packet. He recommended the Board declare the items as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare the mentioned items as surplus and dispose of them in accordance with the state bid law and applicable school board policies. 

 

                        In accordance with state law, the Board is required each year in June to name a newspaper to serve as the official journal to publish proceedings for the Lincoln Parish School Board. Superintendent Ricky Durrett communicated that the Ruston Daily Leader offered $6.00 per legal square which is the maximum rate allowed by state law and the same amount as last year. He recommended that the Board name them as the official journal for fiscal year 2022-2023. 

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to name the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for fiscal year 2022-2023.

 

                        Board members were asked by Mr. Young to study the following policy manual revisions in preparation for the next meeting: GBA – Contracts and Compensation, GBRIBA – Family and Medical Leave, GBRIC – Maternity and Adoptive Leave, GBRIH – Jury Duty, GBRIJ – Leave Without Pay, and GBRK – Annual Leave.  He reported that these revisions remove all references of sabbatical leave in other board policies.          

 

Ms. Duke presented the 2022-2023 employee salary schedules. She stated that by law, the School Board is authorized to establish salary schedules to be paid to teachers and all other school personnel. The Superintendent is authorized to set the salary of employees accordingly. Updates were made to the payroll coordinator salary schedule and an uncertified teacher salary schedule was created. Also included is an increase in the monthly tax supplement amounts that is included in base salaries for certified and support staff ($1,200 and $600 respectively). There will be a reduction in the 14th check for the same amount moved to the monthly sales tax supplement. The salary schedules do not include salary increases currently under consideration by the Louisiana State Legislature in the amounts of $1,500 for certified and $750 for support staff. If these are approved the schedules will be revised to reflect the increases. Ms. Duke recommended approval and reminded board members that a copy of the salary schedules was included in the board packet.   

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2022-2023 Employee Salary Schedules and Pay Rates and authorize the revision of these schedules in July 2022 for any amounts approved by the Legislature and the Governor at the conclusion of the 2022 Regular Legislature Session.

 

                        Ms. Duke called attention to the revised budget for 2021-2022 and reported that the total budgeted revenues were estimated to be $59.4 million for the General Fund Accounts and total estimated expenditures were at $54.8 million with an estimated ending fund balance of $21.8 million.   

 

                        She gave a recap of the Special Revenue Funds stating that these included various other restricted local funds and taxes, state & federal grants, food service, maintenance and operation funds, and the Education Stabilization Funds. Federal Revenues were up $5 million due to the Education Stabilization Funds. Total combined Special Revenues estimated for the year were $39.6 million, estimated expenditures were $33 million, with an estimated ending fund balance of $ 20.6 million. The total combined estimated ending fund balance for Special Revenue Funds was $42.5 million.

 

                        Ms. Duke reported sales tax revenues make up an estimated $16.4 million of the General Fund, property tax revenues an estimated $9.3 million, and State MFP revenues an estimated $32.2 million. This amount is an increase due to state funds we received for the pay raise that went in effect for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Total revenues in the General Funds combined increased about $3.3 million in the revised budget. Total expenditures increased by $1.2 million, mainly due to the increase in salaries and related benefits for the state pay raise. She called attention to other sources (uses) in the General Fund and said an estimated $970,000 is expected from federal programs for indirect costs support. The estimated beginning fund balance was $18.9 million, the revised budget has an estimated ending fund balance of $21.8 million in all combined General Funds. Ms. Duke explained that the school system’s major expenditures in the General Fund are salaries and employee benefits, making up 90.1% of the total General Fund budget. Ms. Duke asked for any questions, hearing none, she recommended that the Board adopt the revised 2021-2022 budget. 

 

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the revised budget for 2021-2022.               

 

                        Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, reminded board members that at the January board meeting authorization was given to advertise for bids on lockers for boys’ and girls’ dressing rooms at Simsboro School. Bids were opened June 6 at 10:00 a.m. as stipulated in the advertisement. He recommended the Board accept the bid meeting specifications for lockers at Simsboro School.

 

                        Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Insight Incorporated of Ruston for 32 case laminate basketball lockers for a total cost of $46,682.

 

Mr. Edmiston then shared with the Board that bids for duplicating paper were also publicly opened on June 6, 2022. The bid received was rejected because of the large increase in cost. He asked permission to purchase duplicating paper from the State Contract at $37.90 a case.   

 

Upon a motion by Ms. Wiley, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to purchase duplicating paper from the State Contract for the 2022-2023 school year.

 

                        In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources, shared the following information:

 

1.     Administrative resignation of Russell Farrar, principal at Simsboro School, effective July 1, 2022.

 

2.     Employment of Phaedra Burks-Blake, principal at Glen View effective July 1, 2022, replacing Dr. Shelia Nugent who transferred.

 

3.     Administrative Points of Reference:

 

Jordan Blachier, coordinating teacher at Glen View to Elementary Director at Simsboro School effective July 18, 2022, replacing Angela Hoffman who retired; and

 

Lacey Holcomb, ELA/social studies coach to interim principal at Simsboro School effective July 1, 2022, replacing Russell Farrar who resigned.

 

4.     Retirement of the following:

 

Doug Perry, agriculture teacher at Choudrant High, effective July 1, 2022; and

 

Otilia Johnson, special education paraprofessional at Glen View, effective May 27, 2022.  

                             

5.     Resignations of the following effective May 28 , 2022, unless otherwise stated:

Ashlynn Barr, teacher at Glen View;

      Maylis Lucas, teacher at Glen View;

      Emilee Waltman, teacher at Glen View;

      Sarah Geeraerts, French Immersion teacher at Glen View;

      Laura Lovell, music teacher at Hillcrest;

      Kelli Stephenson, teacher at Ruston Elementary;

      Amber Williams, English teacher at Ruston High;

      Cody Taylor, health & physical education teacher at Ruston High;

      Lane White, athletic director at Ruston Junior High effective June 28, 2022,

      Madeline Davison, science teacher at Ruston Junior High;

      Charles Pernici, band teacher at Ruston Junior High effective June 14, 2022;

Joshua Brown, health & physical education teacher/coach at Simsboro School    effective June 4, 2022, (revised date);

      Brienna Dugdale, English teacher at Simsboro School; and

      Mary Veatch, pre-K teacher at LPECC. 

 

6.     Resignation of Chencia Bryan, cafeteria technician at Cypress Springs effective May 27, 2022.

 

                        A sales tax report for the month ending May 2022 was presented by Ms. Duke. She stated that May collections were up less than 1/2% compared to the same month last year, and 18.42% year-to-date. Excluding the 2020 sales tax collections, the performance equivalent is 9.89%.      

 

                          Ms. Duke also delivered the April 2022 financial update and reported the General Operating Fund revenues were $45.9 million, expenditures were $40 million, and the ending fund balance was $25.3 million. The total unassigned fund balance as of the end of April was $15.9 million or about 29.5% of budgeted operating expenditures. The Special Revenue funds had an ending fund balance of $23 million. The total ending fund balance as of April 30, 2022, was $48.3 million.    

 

                        In the health plan update for April 2022, she reported total claim expenditures were $731,000 and $2.8 million total year-to-date, compared to $2.5 million for the same period last year.     

 

Total expenses for the month of April were $1,047,000 and year-to-date total expenses were $4 million. Total year-to-date change in plan net assets was $591,000.    

 

                        In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett noted the following information:

1.     Summer School started yesterday. K-6 students are attending Hillcrest and will attend for 3 weeks. Grades 7-12 are attending Ruston High School. The first 2 weeks are instructional; the students will have EOC testing the 3rd week.  There is also an ACT Boot Camp at RHS. Reggie McLeroy is conducting Art Camps this week and in the weeks to come at Ruston Junior High and Missy Wooley will be conducting camps at the STEM Center throughout the summer.     

           

2.     The district is continuing to hire and there are still quite a few openings. Please encourage any qualified teachers you know to apply.

 

3.     In order for the district/schools to better communicate with families, we are purchasing an “App” titled REMIND. It will establish better transparent, two-way communication between parents, students, teachers, and administrators. It will be funded by a grant for the next several years. 

 

4.     Tonight is Lisa Bastion’s last board meeting, she will be retiring June 29. She has done a fabulous job in our district and we appreciate that she came to Lincoln Parish to become principal at Choudrant High before moving to Central Office as a supervisor and eventually Assistant Superintendent. On a personal level she helped him tremendously when he first became a principal. She has been a great resource for all the district leaders. She will be missed. Ms. Bastion said she is excited to retire and had many great years in education and made many friends.       

       

Ms. Wiley announced that it has been an honor to serve on the board as the District 1 representative for the past 7 ½ years. She shared that after much thought and prayer she has decided not to seek re-election. When she first ran for office in 2014, her daughter was an 8th grader at Ruston Junior High and her desire was to provide parental insight with the school board. She is still dedicated and passionate about education and will continue to help students to identify career pathways that will lead to sustainable wages and success. Ms. Wiley thanked constituents in District 1 and the Lincoln Parish School Board for their support and the opportunity to serve. Board members thanked her for serving and her friendship.  

 

                        There being no further business, upon a motion by Ms. Best, the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

 

__________________________________                      ___________________________________

Ricky Durrett, Secretary                                                 Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President