LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

 

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, March 5, 2024   6:00 p.m.

 

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 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, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Gregg Phillips, and Mr. Hunter Smith.

 

Ms. Donna Doss, Ms. Lynda Henderson, and Dr. Danielle Williams were absent. 

 

President Phillips called the meeting to order, and Mr. Canterbury gave the invocation.  Mr. Smith led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on February 6, 2024, as presented.

 

 Ricky Edmiston, Supervisor of Auxiliary Services, stated that each year we recognize the importance of support personnel in Lincoln Parish including school bus operators, food service employees, custodians, secretaries, clerical personnel, teacher aides, bus aides, maintenance technicians, paraprofessionals, and others that are vital to the efficient operation of our school system. He recommended that the Board adopt a resolution designating April 22-26, 2024, as Support Personnel Week.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION

 

            That the Lincoln Parish School Board designate the week of April  22-26, 2024, as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish and copies of this Resolution be sent to each school in Lincoln Parish and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.

 

Dr. Sheila Nugent expressed to the Board the Ruston High School Band was in need of new instruments to replace aging inventory.  State regulations require that LEAs must invite bids from competitive vendors for multiple musical instruments that total $60,000 or more within a fiscal year.  She said that by inviting bids, LEAs can ensure that the most economical and efficient vendor is used.

 

RHS Band Director Walter Moss added that brass and percussion instruments were the most costly to replace and some of those instruments were quite old.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant the Superintendent permission to invite bids for musical instruments for the RHS Band, and that the Board grants the Superintendent permission to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications as outlined on the Invitation to Bid.

 

Next Chief Financial Officer Juanita Duke asked the Board to grant permission to distribute instructional monies to schools.  She said that in the spring of each year, schools are allocated funds from the 1979 Sales Tax Fund for the purchase of instructional supplies for the following school year.  This allocation is based upon student enrollment as of October 1, 2023, and supply funds are allocated for Art, P.E., Library Supplies, Music, Periodicals, and Science.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the allocation of instructional supply monies from the 1979 Sales Tax Fund in the amount of $69,550.25 to be distributed to schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

Finance Committee Chairman George Mack, Jr. reported that the committee met on February 29, 2024, to consider the recommendation presented by administration for the May salary supplement (14th) check distribution.  Ms. Duke added that the recommendation the committee approved was to increase the allocation distribution for certified staff by $1,340 for a total of $7,452, and to increase the allocation distribution to support staff by $670 for a total of $3,726.  This supplement is funded with local taxes collected from four sales tax levies (1967, 1979, 1993, and 2000), and a portion of the 2000 Ad Valorem parishwide millage.  If approved, distribution will be made on the May 24, 2024 payroll.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendation from the Committee for the Board to approve the payment of salary supplements on May 24, 2024, in the amounts of $7,452 to salaried certified/professional personnel and $3,726 to salaried support personnel.

 

Superintendent Ricky Durrett requested the Board grant permission to use closed spec and sole source procurement for a Ruston High School athletic project, and in addition, grant permission to the district administration to enter into contract for this project.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to use closed spec and sole source procurement for Ruston High School athletic project, and also grant permission to district administration to enter into contact for the project.

 

The following personnel items were reported by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:

 

1.         Retirement of the following, effective May 25, 2024:

 

Deborah Joyner, elementary teacher at Dubach School;

Deborah Smithey, special education teacher at Glen View Elementary;

Karen Newsom, special education teacher at Ruston High; and

Letrus Brewer, in school suspension proctor at Ruston Junior High.

 

2.         Resignation of the following:

 

Misty Falting, speech therapist at Glen View Elementary, effective March 2, 2024; and

Emily Grafton, kindergarten teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective  February 15, 2024.

 

3.         Child Nutrition resignation of Kathleen Roberts, cafeteria manager at LP Early Childhood Center, effective February 29, 2024.

 

Ms. Duke reported that total sales tax collections for the month of February 2024 were up 2.26% compared to the same month last year.  Overall, we are still flat in comparison to the accumulated fiscal year collections for the sales tax funds.   

 

Moving on to the January 2024 financial report, Ms. Duke stated that there is an increase in revenue collections this month year-to-date.  Approximately $12 million was received this month from 2023 property tax collections. The total Undesignated Fund balance of General Operating Funds is $25.9 million, which represents approximately 42.4% of budgeted annual expenditures.  Total annual revenue received to date across all funds is $56.1 million, total expenditures of $50 million, and the total combined fund balance is $61.1 million.  She noted that $25.9 million is undesignated in the General Fund and $35.1 million is restricted for other designated purposes across all funds. 

 

Ms. Duke reported on the Health Insurance Fund for January 2024, stating that this is the first month reported in the new plan year.  Total plan contributions were $1.2 million, the same as the previous year.  Total plan expenses increased to $1.32 million, compared to $1.28 million last year.  The change in net assets for the month is a reduction of $114,000.

 

In addition, Ms. Duke gave an update on the status of the financial statement audit for the year ended June 30, 2023. The audit was completed with a report date of March 4, 2024, and will be filed with the State Legislative Auditor within the week.  She summarized three findings that will be reported – one being the late audit, which is now complete, and two in the area of Food Service for errors found in filing monthly meal reimbursement claims and documenting eligibility of vendors paid with federal funds.  She explained the steps taken to correct the errors, which have now been resolved.

 

In an Enrollment Update, Mr. Durrett said that for the month of February, Howard School attendance was right at 100%, A.E. Phillips at 97%, and Simsboro, Glen View and Cypress Springs were above 94%.  He added that 95% is our goal, but schools are still dealing with a good bit of sickness, causing excused absences to be higher.

 

In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said that:

 

1.            The Lincoln Parish Schools Job Fair is scheduled for April 16, 2024 from 4:30 – 6:00 at the STEM center.

 

2.            Several public forum meetings will be held to discuss details concerning the two bond proposals on the ballot in the upcoming election on April 27.  The first will be at Choudrant High School on March 7 at 5:30, followed by I.A. Lewis on March 12 at 6:00, Ruston High School on April 2 at 6:00, and one additional location (TBD) on April 9 at 6:00.

 

 

3.        Congratulations to the Ruston High School boys’ basketball team who play in the State semifinal game on Thursday in Lake Charles.  All Ruston city schools will be virtual for students on Thursday to allow fans time to travel to the game.  If the team wins, they will advance to the state championship game on Saturday.

 

4.       Congratulations to Choudrant boys’ basketball for making it to regionals, and Simsboro boys’ basketball team who played in the quarterfinals this year.  Both lost to really good teams and we congratulate them on their fine seasons.

 

After several comments from board members, the meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Mitcham.

    

     

_______________________________                                      _______________________________   

Ricky Durrett, Secretary                                                          Gregg Phillips, President