LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 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, and Mr. Hunter Smith.
Dr. Danielle Williams was absent.
President Phillips called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and Mr. Hancock gave the invocation. Mr. Mitcham led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mr. Durrett asked the board to consider adding one item of New Business to the agenda. The item is a request to seek bids for the purchase of kitchen equipment, chemicals, pest control, and produce for the 2024-2025 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board voted by roll call 11-0 to amend the agenda adding one item of New Business: 10.6 Request permission to bid on the purchase of kitchen equipment, chemicals, pest control, and fresh produce for the 2024-2025 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to approve the agenda as printed with the addendum.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board voted 10-1 to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 9, 2024, as presented. Mr. Ferguson voted no.
Brandon Sutherland, Communications Coordinator, said that he was happy to bring some good news of things happening in our district. He introduced two students, juniors, at Ruston High School who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT. Mr. Sutherland said that Cedric Serio was unable to attend due to a previous obligation. He then introduced Anhaar Wasi to the board and asked him to introduce his family who were in attendance. Board members congratulated him on this tremendous accomplishment.
Next, Mr. Sutherland recognized two Ruston High School students, Gabe Middleton and Jake Taunton, who recently competed and won the Future Farmers of America State Championship for Small Engine Assembly. They introduced family and teachers in attendance, and several board members expressed their congratulations.
Mr. Sutherland added that Simsboro School principal Lacey Holcomb had been recognized by the State of Louisiana as an Exemplary Educator. The Louisiana Exemplary Educator Recognition Program acknowledges, honors, and spotlights exceptional teachers, teacher specialists, and school leaders who exemplify Louisiana's education profession. Ms. Holcomb was one of only 16 chosen by the state for this award. Mr. Canterbury expressed his appreciation to Ms. Holcomb and congratulated her on this award.
Finance Committee Chairman George Mack, Jr. reported that the committee met on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss items for consideration. The committee approved two items to bring before the Board for approval.
The first item was to request the Board approve a recommendation to approve a one-time salary supplement of $3,000 and $1,500 to salaried certified and full time support employees, respectively, in June 2024.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the board unanimously voted to approve the committee recommendation for a one-time salary supplement distribution of $3,000 and $1,500 to be given to salaried certified and full time support employees in June 2024 from the restricted balance of the 2000 Ad Valorem Fund.
The next item from the committee was to authorize administration to solicit proposals for Employee Benefits Consultant/Third Party Administrator Services. Ms. Duke reported that with federal regulations and mandatory reporting, management of plan documents, health plan design, structures, and cost containment is more complex now than in the past. She explained further that we want to seek a partnership with a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to manage all aspects of our cafeteria plan benefits. She said that we would like to conduct a Request for Proposal solicitation process and bring a recommendation to the Finance Committee for consideration.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the committee’s recommendation to solicit proposals for an Employee Benefits Consultant/Third Party Administrator for the School Board’s employee cafeteria benefits, including health plans.
Mr. Mack said that there were additional updates in the Finance Committee meeting from Ms. Duke regarding the mid-year changes to our health plan, including Chiropractic Care benefit change, SaveOn prescription drug discount savings program, and employee Biometric Health screenings. She also reported the 2023-2024 financial audit is getting underway.
Superintendent Ricky Durrett presented to the Board a summary of the elections held on April 27, 2024. He asked the Board to consider adopting the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring election results. The total votes for Choudrant School District No. 6, including absentee ballots, was as follows: 292 FOR and 173 AGAINST, passing by a majority of 119 votes. In order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code, the Board must adopt a resolution canvassing the results of the election.
Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of
The special election held in Choudrant School District No. 6 of the Parish of
Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, to authorize the
Issuance of general obligation bonds therein.
Mr. Durrett then presented to the Board a summary of the Ruston elections held on April 27, 2024. He asked the Board to consider adopting the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring election results. The total votes for Ruston School District No. 1, including absentee ballots, was as follows: 1,161 FOR and 1,001 AGAINST, passing by a majority of 160 votes. In order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code, the Board must adopt a resolution canvassing the results of the election.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of
The special election held in Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of
Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, to authorize the
Issuance of general obligation bonds therein.
Mr. Durrett requested the Board grant permission to use the Construction Management at Risk Service (CMAR) for the Ruston School District No. 1 construction. He explained that CMAR is a project delivery method now available that is a cost effective and efficient alternative to the traditional design-bid-build process. The CMAR method would allow the Board to select a qualified general contractor through an interview process. The CMAR method teams the owner, designer, and contractor together to work on the project from inception through completion. This collaboration allows projects to be built more efficiently and with reduced unexpected costs.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to use the Construction Management at Risk Service (CMAR) for the Ruston School District No. 1 Bond Construction.
Maintenance Supervisor Ricky Edmiston asked the Board to grant permission to advertise for bids to replace classroom HVAC units at Cypress Springs Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary. He explained these units need to be upgraded in order to improve the air quality in classrooms, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by improving HVAC systems, and to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for students and faculty members. The current HVAC units are approximately 20 years old and it is difficult to find parts to repair these units when they fail.
Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the replacement of eight classroom HVAC units at Cypress Springs Elementary and nine classroom HVAC units at Hillcrest Elementary. Also, grant permission to the district administration to accept the lowest qualified bid.
Next, Mr. Edmiston explained that CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. is upgrading utility service in the area and has requested a Right of Way and Servitude on Lincoln Parish School Board property near the Ruston High School campus. A ten-foot wide right of way and servitude would be used to re-route current pipeline. CenterPoint Energy will pay Lincoln Parish Schools a sum of Ten Dollars ($10) for the Right of Way and Servitude.
Upon a motion by Ms. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted to grant CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Right of Way and Servitude.
Mr. Durrett said that state law requires that a school food authority request permission from their school board to send out bids for all purchases during the year. He requested permission to bid on the purchase of kitchen equipment, chemicals, pest control, and fresh produce for the 2024-2025 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve advertising and accepting the lowest bids meeting specifications on purchases of kitchen equipment, chemicals, pest control, and produce for the 2024-2025 school year.
The following personnel items were shared by Dr. Doris Lewis, Director of Human Resources:
1. Retirement of the following:
Jamie McCullin, Ag teacher at Ruston Junior High effective July 1, 2024; and
Nancy White, Art teacher at Ruston High School, effective August 12, 2024.
2. Resignation of the following effective May 25, 2024:
Allison Smith, teacher at Choudrant Elementary;
Rebekah Martindale, teacher at Dubach School;
Sarah Pender, teacher at Glen View Elementary;
Abigail Anderson, social studies teacher at I.A. Lewis;
Allison Welch, mathematics teacher at Ruston High School;
Nicolas Phillips, English teacher at Ruston High School;
Meredith Graf, Health and Physical Education teacher/coach at Ruston High School;
Brittany Bryant, English teacher at Ruston Junior High School; and
Kayla Slocum, library media specialist at Simsboro School.
3. Child Nutrition resignation of Casandra Grant, cafeteria technician at Ruston Junior High School, effective May 25, 2024.
Ms. Duke reported on sales taxes collected for the month ending April 2024. She reported collections were down another 6% over the same month last year. Total collections for the year are down approximately 1.3% in overall sales tax collections.
Moving on to the financial statement for March 2024, Ms. Duke said the total revenues collected in the general fund to date were $52.6 million, total revenues collected in our special revenue funds of $33.1 million, for a total of $85.7 million to date. The largest share of special revenue received to date is from education stabilization funds ($8.6 million) representing paid program expenditures. Total ending fund balance in the general fund is $40.8 million and in the special revenue fund $25.7 million, for a total of $66.6 million. Approximately 47% of the fund balance in the general fund is undesignated. This fund balance will be beneficial with our bond ratings and help reduce the interest rates when bonds are sold, and will lower the cost to taxpayers.
In the Health Insurance Fund report, Ms. Duke shared that in the first three months of the 2024 plan year, there is a reduction in net assets of approximately $707,000. She stated claims expenses incurred are $3.3 million compared to $2.5 million for the same 3-month period last year. Claims for the month of March are $1.3 million. Again, medical and prescription drug claims continue to increase, but now we are seeing an increase in the number of high-dollar claims this year.
Special Education Supervisor Justin Barron offered a Special Education Report to board members. He introduced Ms. Jamie Wong, President of SPED Strategies, an organization that Lincoln Parish Schools has partnered with. She introduced her company and explained that Lincoln Parish had signed on to be one of four pilot districts in service of advancing our commitment to meeting the needs of all learners. She then offered an overview of how this process has been going.
Next, Mr. Barron introduced Mr. Ray Canada with Blue Engine, another organization Lincoln Parish has worked with specifically to equip teachers with skills to help more with classroom-based work. Mr. Canada explained that Blue Engine is a non-profit learning organization that has been supporting the Lincoln Parish school system since the 2021-2022 school year helping develop strategies to meet diverse learning needs in the classroom.
Mr. Barron closed by saying that these are just two of the great things that we are doing in Lincoln Parish to support diverse learners. He told board members that we are seeing gains in the classrooms and our goal is to continue that and close the gap between students with IEPs and students without them.
In the Enrollment Report, Mr. Durrett said that attendance at all schools was above 90%. He added that Mr. Nutt and the Truancy Department have worked hard to keep students in school this year.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Durrett said:
1. The last day of school for students is May 23. This date will not be adjusted due to the number of school closures due to inclement weather this school year. The last day for teachers is May 24.
2. Teacher/Leader Summit is May 27-30 in New Orleans. The group will travel together on a charter bus.
3. Choudrant High School graduation is May 20 at 6:30, at Howard Auditorium, Ruston High School graduation is May 21 at 7:00, at Thomas Assembly Center, and Simsboro High School graduation is May 23 at 7:00, at Howard Auditorium.
4. Our Summer Learning Program will start in June and will be held at Cypress Springs Elementary. Mr. Young, Ms. Talley, and our principals are working together to determine which students will benefit most from this program.
5. Information about Summer School last year is included in board member portfolios, and some information about JumpStart.
6. We are looking forward to finishing this school year and are working on staffing to get ready for the 2024-25 school year.
After some discussion by board members, upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Anders, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary Gregg Phillips, President