2022-07-12

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 S. Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Lisa Best, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Ms. Susan Wiley.

Ms. Donna Doss and Mr. Hunter Smith were absent. Mr. Smith joined by telephone but was not allowed to vote.

President Joe Mitcham called the meeting to order and welcomed guests. Ms. Henderson delivered the invocation, and Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director, led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

President Mitcham announced that the Board was entering into a Public Hearing to discuss rolling forward 2022 millages; he turned the meeting over to Business Manager Juanita Duke. Ms. Duke shared that the Public Hearing was required prior to the Board voting during the meeting today to adopt two resolutions for the purpose of setting two millage rates at the higher rate in effect prior to the 2020 reassessment. The resolutions propose to increase the Constitutional Tax (General Fund) millage rate from 3.89 to 3.91; which is estimated to increase taxes by $9,855.00 to $1,926,662.66; and to increase the Simsboro School District No. 3 (maintenance and operating) millage rate from 2.97 to 2.99; which is estimated to increase taxes by $1,601.00 to $239,385.42.

Mr. Mitcham asked if there were any questions from the public, hearing none he declared the Public Hearing closed.

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. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 7, 2022 as presented.

Lisa Bastion, Chief Pandemic Officer/Assistant Superintendent at central office, effective July 1, 2022; and

Kathy Pool, Assistant Business Manager at central office, effective September 8, 2022.

Brandie Watson, curriculum strategist at Cypress Springs, effective June 7, 2022;

Kathryn Causey, coordinating teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective June 7, 2022;

Christopher Cavin, math teacher/coach at Choudrant High, replacing William Bandy who was reassigned;

Lesley Wells, secretary/bookkeeper at LPECC effective August 1, 2022, replacing Virginia Aycock who retired;

Ashley Sandino, school psychologist at Pupil Appraisal effective August 1, 2022, replacing Colleen Savage who resigned;

Katie Walker, assistant principal at Ruston High, replacing Amanda McHaney who resigned;

Collin Crawford, band director at Ruston Junior High effective August 1, 2022, replacing Charles Pernici who resigned;

Lauren Garvie, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, replacing David Hoefler who transferred; and

Antonio Wilson, agriculture teacher at Ruston High effective July 1, 2022, replacing William Wade who transferred;

4. Point of Reference of the following effective August 1, 2022 unless noted otherwise:

Danyelle O’Neal from Hillcrest to school mental health counselor at Choudrant Elementary due to a new position;

William Wade, from Ruston High to agriculture teacher at Choudrant High effective July l, 2022, replacing Doug Perry who retired;

Courtney Martin, from math teacher at Ruston High School to math facilitator at central office, due to a new position;

April Winstead, from science teacher at Ruston High to science facilitator at central office, due to a new position;

Meredith Whitaker, from ELA coach to coordinating teacher at Glen View, replacing Jordan Blachier who transferred;

Rebecca Sutherland, from ELA coach to coordinating teacher at Hillcrest, replacing Kelli Colvin who retired;

Carrie M. Williams, from special education teacher at Glen View to educational diagnostician at Pupil Appraisal, replacing Alice Higginbotham who retired;

Dr. Shontrece Dupree, from curriculum strategist to coordinating teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Kathryn Causey who transferred;

Hilton Hay, from health & physical education teacher to athletic director at Ruston Junior High effective July 18, 2022, replacing Lane White who resigned;

Rodney Holland, from health & physical education teacher at I. A. Lewis to health & physical education teacher/coach at Ruston Junior High effective July 18, 2022, replacing Hilton Hay who was reassigned;

Kelly Hammond, from special education teacher at Simsboro School to special education facilitator at Special Education Department effective July 18, 2022, replacing Donna Miles who retired; and

Brooke Hoefler, from teacher at Glen View to co-teaching facilitator at Special Education Department replacing Justin Barron who transferred.

5. Retirement of Maurice Briggs, maintenance position at central office, effective September 7, 2022.

7. Employment of Stephen Bernat, head custodian at Simsboro School effective July 1, 2022, replacing Carla Crawley who transferred.

Ms. Duke presented a sales tax report for June of 2022. She said that actual June 2022 collections were down for the month by 1.38% over the previous year’s June receipts; and total collections were up 16.55% year-to-date. The annual performance equivalent is an 8.83% increase

Moving on to her summary of the May 2022 financial statement, Ms. Duke said the general fund had a balance of $24.2 million. The undesignated fund balance was 32.2% of budgeted expenditures. The total ending balance for all funds was $42,988,000. She commented it was evident that utility costs are rising. The Grant funds currently show deficient balances however, these funds operate on a reimbursement basis and claims for these grants have been filed.

The self-insured health fund had $895,000 of total claims paid in May and fixed costs were $313,000, with total plan expenses totaling $1.2 million. Total contributions in May were $1,198,968 and the change in net assets was $581,494.

Following a month of studying revisions to six policies, John Young, Assistant Superintendent, asked board members to approve the proposed revisions to the policy manual.

Upon a motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revisions of 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.

Ms. Duke presented Resolution #1 for adoption to levy the adjusted millage rates for all school board ad valorem taxes and levy millages for district bond payments.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the resolution to levy the adjusted millage rates for all school board ad valorem taxes and levy millages for district bond payments.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Lincoln Parish School Board of the Parish of Lincoln, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on July 12, 2022, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the following adjusted millage rates be and they are hereby levied upon the dollar of the assessed valuation of all property subject to ad valorem taxation within said Parish for the year 2022, for the purpose of raising revenue:

	MILLAGE
Adjusted Parishwide Rates:
Constitutional Tax (General Fund)	3.89
Special Maintenance & Operation (General Fund)	4.92
Special Repair & Equipment (Five-Mill)	4.92
Maintenance & Operation (1993 Ad Val)	9.44
Maintenance & Operation (2000 Ad Val)	8.48

Adjusted District Rates:
Ruston School District #1 Maintenance & Operating	2.33
Simsboro School District #3 Maintenance & Operating	2.97
Dubach School District #5 Maintenance & Operating	3.10
Choudrant School District #6 Maintenance & Operating	2.99

Bond Rates:
Ruston School District No. 1 Bonds	17.75
Simsboro School District No. 3 Bonds	5.95
Choudrant School District No. 6 Bonds	14.00

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of Lincoln shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2022 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.

YEAS: Lynda Henderson, Otha Anders, George Mack, Jr., Debbie Abrahm, Danny Hancock, Susan Wiley, David Ferguson, Clark Canterbury, Lisa Best, and Joe Mitcham.

Ms. Duke then presented Resolution #2 to levy millage rates at the higher rate in effect prior to the 2020 reassessment for the School Regular-Parishwide Constitutional Tax and the Simsboro School District No. 3 M&O Tax.

Upon a motion by Ms. Best, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the resolution to levy millage rates at the higher rate in effect prior to the 2020 reassessment for the School Regular-Parishwide Constitutional Tax and the School District No. 3 of Simsboro M&O Tax.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Lincoln Parish School Board of the Parish of Lincoln, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on July 12, 2022 which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the taxing district voted to increase the millage rate(s), but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2022, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied. Said millage rate(s) are:

	Adjusted Rate	2022 Levy
Parishwide Rate:
Constitutional Tax (General Fund)	3.89	3.91

District Rate:
Simsboro School District #3 Maintenance & Operating	2.97	2.99

The roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by no less than two-thirds of the total membership of the taxing authority voting in favor as required by Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B). The votes were:

YEAS: Lynda Henderson, Otha Anders, George Mack, Jr., Debbie Abrahm, Danny Hancock, Susan Wiley, David Ferguson, Clark Canterbury, Lisa Best, and Joe Mitcham.

Mr. Young voiced that policy GBB – Personnel Positions states that the Superintendent shall maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date set of job descriptions for all positions in the school district. These job descriptions shall be kept on file and utilized in conjunction with the performance evaluation plan for employees, he asked the Board to approve these.

Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board approved the job descriptions for the 2022-2023 school year.

Ms. Duke shared that two walk-in freezers are needed at Ruston Elementary and Glenview Elementary. The old freezers are 30-plus years old, continually breaking down, and replacement parts are obsolete. She requested permission to bid on the purchase of the new freezers.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Wiley and Mr. Best, the Board approved to advertise and accept the lowest bids meeting specifications on the purchase of two walk-in freezers for the 2022-2023 school year.

Ms. Duke shared with the Board that a payment much like was made in April 2021 is being recommended. It would be a one-time payment for retention and recruitment. New employees hired on or after July1, 2022, would receive a stipend payment and returning employees who remain with us and are employed October 1, would also receive the stipend payment. The proposed amounts are $1,200 for full time certified/professional staff, $600 for full time support staff, and $480 for part-time support staff. Esser funds will be used to fund these stipends, therefore retaining the October payment will be conditional upon continued employment for the remainder of 2022-2023. After the district receives final approval from the state to make this payment there will be additional eligibility requirements that we will share with employees.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Best, the Board unanimously voted to approve a one-time compensation payment for retention and recruitment of certain employees.

Superintendent Ricky Durrett communicated that at the November 2, 2021, board meeting the Board approved a Special Counsel Resolution continuing the employment of Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah, & Perkins, LLP, as Lincoln Parish School Board’s special counsel. The resolution also authorized an increase in billing rates to those approved by the Attorney General. In accordance with the requirements of law (La.R.S. 42:263), the law firm submitted said resolution to the Attorney General’s office for approval.

The Office of the Attorney General declined to approve the Special Counsel Resolution (along with similar resolutions from other school systems) until it contained specific language. Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah, & Perkins, LLP, has submitted the new Special Counsel Resolution with the language requested by the Attorney General’s office, which is included in the board packet. Mr. Durrett said the letter from the Attorney General’s office, containing the specific language that is now required in all Special Counsel Resolutions, was included in the board packet.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the new Special Counsel Resolution.

1. The Back-to School Administrative Workshop will be held August 3, in the New Tech building at Ruston High School.

2. The maintenance crews are waxing floors and painting, preparing for the beginning of the school year. New breaker boxes at Cypress Springs have been installed. New LED lighting at Choudrant Elementary, Simsboro School, and the bus barn will be completed in the next month. These were funded by a grant through Foster Campbell’s office.

4. A Nepotism Disclosure Form has been placed in the board members portfolios, as well as a list of retirees from the 2021-22 school year.

5. He recently attended the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Conference in Lafayette and the Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans. He received great information at both conferences. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley spoke at both conferences.

6. Safety is a top concern right now. Tim Nutt is working with the Sheriff’s Department and SRO officers. They are touring all schools, meeting with each principal regarding drills and safety precautions, and discussing needed changes. They are performing walk-throughs of all campuses looking at doors, gates, and windows, in an effort to make them safer campuses.

7. A $500,000 COPS grant has been submitted that will assist the district with security at Ruston High School. RHS is the only school that does not have all incoming traffic accessing one main entrance. There is a plan to address this, insuring a safer campus.

After several comments from Board members, upon a motion by Ms. Best the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.