LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 12:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Ruston Elementary School, 200 North Bernard Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, 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.
Mr. Otha Anders was absent.
President Phillips called the meeting to order and Mr. Mitcham gave the invocation. Ms. Henderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Mr. Phillips welcomed everyone and thanked Ruston Elementary Principal Mandy Brown for hosting the meeting. Ms. Brown welcomed everyone and said the staff and students were so excited to host the monthly board meeting. She then introduced Coordinating Teacher Dr. Shontrece Dupree and added that they were very happy to have everyone here to see Ruston Elementary, a “hidden gem” in Lincoln Parish.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 9, 2024, as presented.
In recognition of Black History Month, Mr. Phillips remembered two men who left an indelible mark on our community as two of the first African Americans elected to the Lincoln Parish School Board. Mr. Calvin Wilkerson and Mr. George Mack, Sr. both joined LPSB in January of 1973, and each played a significant role in shaping the history of Lincoln Parish through their service on this Board, and with their influence in the community. They helped pave the way for minorities in K-12 education in Lincoln Parish, and were passionate about making our community a better place for its citizens, and its students.
Mr. Phillips recognized Mr. Wilkerson’s daughter, Delores Smith, along with her husband, Leon, and daughter, Elizabeth Smith, who were in attendance. He also recognized fellow board member, George Mack, Jr., representing his late father who served from 1973-2012.
Dr. Williams added that these men spent time in the community educating constituents on how the system works and how they could make the system more beneficial to them. They ensured that the voices of people who were rarely heard always had a seat at the table. Public office for both of these men was not about power, notoriety, or even personal wealth; it was about maintaining an unwavering standard of integrity, and a high standard of ethics. Dr. Williams went on to say that having the opportunity to observe such outstanding examples in this community was an honor.
Following a month of studying policy revisions, John Young, Assistant Superintendent, recommended the board members approve the proposed policy revisions to the policy manual.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve policy manual revisions EBBH – Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Cardiac Emergency Plan, GBG – Probation, IHAD – Parent Conferences, JGB – School Wellness, and JGC – Student Health Services.
Supervisor of Auxiliary Services Ricky Edmiston reminded the Board that at the December 5, 2023 board meeting, authorization was given to advertise for bids for 1,000 cases of duplicating paper for January – June 30, 2024. The bid opening was held January 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board office as stipulated in the advertisement.
Mr. Edmiston requested the Board accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for January – June 2024 as indicated (*) below:
COMPANY SUBMITTING BID Duplicating Paper
Shelton Sales & Supply $36.50 (per case)
*Parker Wholesale $34.75
Veritiv $36.05
Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board voted unanimously to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications.
Debbie Pender, Technology/Data/Security Coordinator, told the Board that the Lincoln Parish School District submitted a Form 470 with USAC for ERate discounts on Category 1 and Category 2 services to be provided during the 2024-2025 school year. The ERate program will pay 90% of the cost of Category 1 services with the district covering the remaining 10%. These services include WAN and Internet. The ERate program will pay 85% of the cost of Category 2 services with the district covering the remaining 15%. The Category 2 service types requested are internal connection and basic maintenance of internal connections. This includes cabling, switches, racks, firewalls, UPS/Battery Backups, Wireless Access Points/License and Management, and other related components.
Following the review and evaluation of proposals received, the recommendation was made to approve and enter into contract with each of the following vendors:
Hunt Telecommunications, a Uniti Company for Category 1 Services (WAN and Internet);
Hunt Telecommunications, a Uniti Company for Category 2 Services (Cabling and Racks);
Skyrider Communications, for Category 2 Services (Underground Fiber Projects); and
Presidio Networked Solutions, for Category 2 Services (Switches, Access Points, UPS, licensing other related components).
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve and enter into contract with these vendors.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett introduced the Capital Improvement Plan for Choudrant School District No. 6. Included in this plan are additional classrooms with boys and girls restrooms at Choudrant Elementary, and a new multi-purpose room at Choudrant High School for a total cost of approximately $2,000,000.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted 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. Grant Schlueter, 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 Choudrant School District No. 6. Mr. Schlueter shared pertinent information in regards to the election to be held in the District on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution ordering and calling special election to be held in Choudrant School District No. 6 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.
Next, Mr. Durrett presented details pertaining to the Capital Improvement Plan for Ruston School District No. 1. This plan includes security upgrades (fencing and gates), additional parking, and body scan machines at Ruston Junior High School; a new roof, entrance upgrades for security, body scan machines, parking lot in front of the main gym, covered pavilion, softball field upgrades, boys and girls basketball renovations, and baseball upgrades for Ruston High School; and the purchase of activity buses. The total cost is approximately $17,500,000.
Some members of the public, along with several board members, expressed comments and concerns.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board voted unanimously 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. Grant Schlueter shared with the Board information regarding the resolution ordering and calling for special elections to be held in Ruston School District No. 1. Mr. Schlueter shared pertinent information in regards to the election to be held in the District on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution ordering and calling special election to be held in Ruston School District No. 1 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.
Transportation Coordinator David Hoefler requested the Board declare nine buses that are of no further use to the Lincoln Parish Transportation Department as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board voted unanimously to declare the nine buses as surplus and grant permission to dispose of them through the bid process.
Mr. Young presented the proposed 2024-25 school calendar for adoption by the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Canterbury, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed calendar for the 2024-25 school year.
In her Personnel Report, Dr. Doris Lewis, Human Resources Director, verbalized the following:
1. Retirement of Felicia Dunbar, math teacher at Simsboro School, effective May 25, 2024.
2. Resignation of the following:
Mendy White, school nurse at Ruston High, effective January 13, 2024;
Lucie Hunt, health and physical education teacher at Ruston High, effective May 25, 2024; and
Steven Ensminger, health and physical education teacher at Ruston High, effective January 27, 2024.
3. Employment of the following:
Elizabeth Carter, kindergarten teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Allison Milstead who resigned, effective January 16, 2024;
Destiny Moore, science teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Joshua Russell who resigned, effective January 26, 2024;
Isaac Ramirez, health and physical education teacher at Ruston High, replacing Steven Ensminger who resigned, effective January 29, 2024; and
Hannah Halder, school nurse at Ruston High, replacing Mendy White who resigned, effective January 29, 2024.
4. Maintenance resignation of the following:
Austin Ball, skilled craftsman with the Maintenance Department, effective January 25, 2024; and
Jacy Ball, skilled craftsman with the Maintenance Department, effective January 25, 2024.
According to Chief Financial Officer Juanita Duke, for the month of January 2024, sales tax collections were down approximately 4.8% compared to January of last year largely due to a one-time sales tax claim settlement received last January. Overall, total cash collections to date are about the same as this time last year at $16.8 million. She reminded the Board of the large one-time tax refund claim paid in July of this year that lowered collections for the year, and pointed out that collections each following month until January have been up between 4 to 5 percent on average.
Moving on to the December 2023 financial report, Ms. Duke shared that for the first six months of the fiscal year revenues in General Funds were $29.6 million, total special revenue funds generated were $16.4 million, total expenditures in the general fund were $26.6 million, and $16.7 million in special revenue funds. The General Fund balance was $30.7 million, and approximately $19.4 million of the fund balance is undesignated, which represents approximately 31.7% of total budgeted operating expenditures in the General Fund. Ms. Duke reported total combined Special Revenue Fund balances were $17.4 million; she stated that the balances in special revenue funds are designated for specific purposes as stated in tax propositions, grant agreements, or state and federal legislation. The total combined ending fund balance of general and special revenue funds is $48.2 million.
Ms. Duke presented the Health Fund Report and noted it was the final report for the 2023 plan year that ended December 31, 2023. Total contributions to the health fund were $14.6 million compared to $13.2 million in 2022. She reported increased contributions to the plan of $1.3 million in 2023 mainly due to the reduction of employer contributions for one month in 2022 in order for plan net assets to be in compliance with federal regulations, which is required because federal grants fund their share of employer contributions to the plan. Total plan expenses for the 2023 plan year were $15.6 million, compared to $13.1 million in 2022, an increase of $2.4 million mainly due to increased prescription drug claims. Net assets for the plan year decreased $995,000.
Mr. Durrett reported in his Enrollment Update that in the month of January, all schools, with the exception of three campuses, had attendance rates above 95% daily. These rates are much better than in the month of December.
In a Diversity Committee update, Glen View Elementary principal Phaedra Blake reported the committee had held two meetings to date and had landed on some items to work on for their initial projects. One of the first was to make sure everyone in the community is informed about who is on the Diversity Committee. In the near future committee introductions will be made on the Lincoln Parish Schools social media page and website. Additional items of concern were internet services in rural areas, parental involvement, and educating everyone on Jump Start versus TOPS diploma pathways.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. Thank you to our high school counselors who hosted a FAFSA night at the STEM center last Monday night. Attendance was good for this event.
2. The 2024 Lincoln Parish Schools Job Fair will be held April 16 from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Following several comments, the meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Mitcham.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Gregg Phillips, President