LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 S. Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Gregg Phillips, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Dr. Danielle Williams.
President Mitcham called the meeting to order and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Ms. Henderson 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 printed.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 10, 2023, as presented.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Special Called Session held on January 19, 2023, as presented.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett recognized Coach Jerrod Baugh and the Ruston High School Football Team. Members of the coaching staff and players were present at the meeting. Mr. Durrett congratulated them on a great season and for playing in the state championship in New Orleans. Coach Baugh thanked the Board, the superintendent, and the community for their support. He introduced the players and spoke to the fact that the young men represented were not only great athletes, but were also excellent students who had a cumulative GPA of 3.6.
The Building and Grounds Committee met at 5:00 p.m. prior to the start of the Regular Session. Mr. Durrett said the Committee considered and voted unanimously to recommend two items for approval by the full Board.
Mr. Durrett presented details pertaining to the first, the Capital Improvement Plan for Ruston School District No. 1. This plan includes making improvements/additions to Hillcrest Elementary, Glen View Elementary, Central Office, Ruston High School, and the Ruston High School Baseball Complex, for a total cost of approximately $65,000,000. There was discussion by board members and the public.
At 6:26, Mr. Anders exited the meeting and did not return.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board voted 7-4 by roll call to adopt the resolution approving the “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN”, designating purposes for which proceeds of proposed General Obligation Bonds will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
Next, Mr. Durrett introduced the Capital Improvement Plan for Simsboro School District No. 3. Included in this plan are new additions/improvements at Simsboro School for a total cost of approximately $10,000,000.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Hancock and Mr. Canterbury, the Board voted 9-2 by roll call to adopt the resolution approving the “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN”, designating purposes for which proceeds of proposed General Obligation Bonds will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
Mr. Durrett asked Mr. Jason Akers, attorney with Foley & Judell, L.L.P., to share with the Board information regarding the resolution ordering and calling for special elections to be held in Ruston School District No. 1, and Simsboro School District No. 3. Mr. Akers shared pertinent information in regards to the election to be held in the Districts on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board voted 9-2 by roll call to adopt a resolution ordering and calling special elections to be held in (i) Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana and (ii) Simsboro School District No. 3 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, to authorize the issuance of General Obligation Bonds therein; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mr. James Payton, Construction Supervisor, requested permission from the Board to advertise for bids for the renovation of the Ruston High School Boys Gym. The renovation plans include rebuilding existing restrooms, adding similar restrooms upstairs above the foyer, renovating dressing rooms for girls volleyball, rebuilding the concession area, and updating the foyer.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Smith and Mr. Phillips, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids on the renovation of the Ruston High School Boys Gym and to grant permission to the district administration to accept a qualified bid that is within budget.
Mr. Durrett asked the Board to grant permission to advertise for bids for the replacement of the intercom/bell/communication systems at Ruston High School and Ruston Junior High School. Systems at both schools are antiquated and in a state of disrepair. Lincoln Parish has received a COPS grant to fund the replacement of both systems.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Phillips, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids on the replacement of the intercom/bell/communications systems at Ruston High School and Ruston Junior High School, and to grant permission for district administration to accept a qualified bid that meets specifications and is within budget.
Mr. Durrett requested permission to advertise for bids to replace the Ruston High School football turf, which was installed in 2014. After tornado damage, a hurricane, an ice storm, and almost 10 years of use, the turf is in disrepair. Turf fields generally have an 8 – 10 year life span.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids on the replacement of the turf on the Ruston High School football field and to grant permission to the district administration to accept the lowest qualified bid.
Mr. Mitcham reported that the Executive Committee met earlier in the day to discuss the renewal of Superintendent Durrett’s contract. He then asked Mr. Jon Guice, Board attorney, to go over the highlights of the contract. Mr. Guice said that this contract was a 4-year extension to the current contract and, basically, the same as his prior contract, with the exception that some of the incentives have been reduced. He said that this contract was consistent with the terms of other districts.
Ms. Henderson, Chairman of the Executive Committee, stated that the committee met this morning and unanimously agreed to bring Mr. Durrett’s contract before the Board for renewal.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted to renew the Superintendent’s contract.
John Young, Assistant Superintendent, presented the 2023-24 school calendar for adoption by the Board.
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed calendar for the 2023-24 school year.
Next, Mr. Young asked the Board to consider a policy revision to BH-School Ethics. This revision is due to the need for board member and employee notification whenever there are changes made to the policy regarding School Board Ethics. This information will be studied for the month of February and there will be a vote at the March Board meeting.
In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director, verbalized the following:
1. Retirement of the following:
Penny Boyd, computer lab proctor at Hillcrest Elementary, effective January 21, 2023; and
Janet Martin, secretary at Ruston High, effective June 10, 2023.
2. Resignation of Brandie O’Brien, science teacher at Ruston Junior High, effective January 21, 2023.
3. Employment of the following:
Nicolas Phillips, English teacher at Ruston High, replacing Mallory Rogers who resigned, effective January 4, 2023; and
Gregory Free, science teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Brandie O’Brien who resigned, effective January 23, 2023.
4. Resignation of James Barham, maintenance technician with the Maintenance Department, effective January 11, 2023.
5. Resignation of Carla Crawley, head custodian at Ruston Elementary, effective January 21, 2023.
6. Employment of Yolanda Abney-Rochelle, cafeteria technician, replacing Holly Alexander who transferred, effective January 30, 2023.
7. Retirement of Vickie Green, cafeteria manager at Cypress Springs, effective June 3, 2023.
According to Juanita Duke, Chief Financial Officer, for the month of January 2023, sales tax collections were approximately $3 million for the period. This was a 9.4% increase over January 2022. Total collections year-to-date, including interest, were 4.5% above the year-to-date collections for the same period last year, and represents approximately 61.2% of the previous year’s total collections.
Moving on to the December 2022 financial report, Ms. Duke shared that for the first six months of the fiscal year revenues in General Funds were $24.5 million, expenditures were $23 million, and the ending fund balance was $28.1 million. Approximately $17.6 million of the fund balance is undesignated, which represents approximately 18.1% of budgeted operating expenditures in the General Fund. Ms. Duke reported total fiscal year-to-date revenues received in Special Revenue Funds were $15 million, expenditures were $14.7 million, and a total ending restricted fund balance of $19 million.
Ms. Duke presented the Health Fund Report and noted it was the last report for the 2022 plan year that ended December 31, 2022. Total contributions to the health fund in December were $1.2 million and plan expenses for the month were $1.2 million. For the 2022 plan year, total annual contributions to the health plan were $13.2 million, and annual plan expenses were $13.1 million. She reported annual claims expenses were $11.3 million, which was an increase of $600,000 over the 2021 plan year; but noted an increase in claim recoveries received from the School Board’s Stop Loss Carrier during the year helped to lower annual claims expenses. The total change in net assets for the plan year is a positive $125,000.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. Ruston High School is currently in the process of organizing and creating a permanent display honoring the old Lincoln High School. Donations of memorabilia for the display are being requested.
2. Lincoln High School class of 1970 has submitted a proposal to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Office of Tourism to erect a historical marker at 1435 Mabry Street to commemorate Lincoln High School’s importance in the education of black students prior to the integration of Ruston High School. We have granted permission to DOTD and the Office of Tourism to place that sign on the grounds of the former school upon the sign’s completion.
3. Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade students have finished their second round of Innovative Testing. Spring testing will begin in March, April and May.
4. The LSBA Annual Conference is March 7th, 8th and 9th in Lake Charles.
After several comments, the meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Phillips.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Joe Mitcham, President