LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

SPECIAL CALLED SESSION

Tuesday, May 14, 2024  6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Gregg Phillips, and Mr. Hunter Smith.

Mr. David Ferguson, Ms. Lynda Henderson and Dr. Danielle Williams were absent.

President Gregg Phillips called the meeting to order, gave the invocation, and 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.

Dr. Sheila Nugent, Federal Programs Facilitator, reminded the Board that at the April 9, 2024 Board Meeting, permission was granted to advertise for bids for printing and binding of K-12 instructional resources, flyers, and forms.  Bids were opened on May 2, 2024 and two bids were received.

Dr. Nugent said that after reviewing the bid responses, rejection of all bids with permission to re-advertise is requested because the bids received are nonresponsive for submittals being incomplete and specific delivery requirements/timelines need to be added to the specifications that would best serve the Lincoln Parish School Board.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to reject all bids received, and authorize the Superintendent to re-advertise, evaluate, and award bids for printing and binding to the lowest, responsive bidder(s).

Mr. Young reported that this past Friday LPSB received an appeal from the Louisiana Department of Education for Glen View Elementary School Performance Scores for 2022-2023.  Interest and opportunity points for the World Language Immersion Program (French Immersion) were not fully calculated and the school did not get credit for that this past October.  They were awarded for this score on Friday and the additional score received gave them a rating of 76.8, which is a grade of “B”.  We offer a huge congratulation to Ms. Blake, the staff, and students at Glen View Elementary.

Mr. Phillips asked the board to consider adopting a resolution expressing support for the State of Louisiana and School Board plaintiffs in the matter styled, “State of Louisiana, et al v. U.S. Department of Education, et al” bearing Case No. 3:24-CV-00563 on the records of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.  He read the following resolution:

BE IT FOREVER KNOWN, that by official action taken at its meeting of May 14, 2024, the Lincoln Parish School Board (sometimes referred to as the “Board”) adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education has issued a final rule, titled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance” (“Final Rule”), which it will publish in the federal register;

WHEREAS, the Final Rule dramatically changes Title IX regulations and acknowledges it will increase complaint investigations;

WHEREAS, the Final Rule will disadvantage the Board by increasing its obligations, compliance costs, and liability risks;

WHEREAS, the Board believes the Final Rule is contrary to federal law and will be detrimental to students, parents, and employees;

WHEREAS, the Board believes the Final Rule, is directly contrary to existing state law, as well as laws currently being considered by the Louisiana Legislature; and

WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana and school districts within the State have challenged the legality of the Final Rule in that matter styled, “State of Louisiana, et al v. U.S. Department of Education, et al” bearing Case No. 3:24-CV-00563 on the records of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that by the vote reflected hereinbelow, the  Lincoln Parish School Board does hereby express its Support of the State and the various districts who have joined the State as parties in the forgoing litigation against the United States Department of Education and other federal defendants to challenge the Final Rule.

ON THE MOTION OF Hunter Smith and seconded by Danny Hancock the following votes were cast:

YEAS:  Debbie Abrahm, Otha Anders, Clark Canterbury, Donna Doss, Gregg Phillips, Danny Hancock, George Mack, Jr., Joe Mitcham, and Hunter Smith

NEAS:  None

ABSENT:  David Ferguson, Lynda Henderson, Danielle Williams

The motion was approved.

We hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was approved by the Board at its official meeting of May 14, 2024.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the board voted 9-0 by rollcall to adopt the resolution expressing support for the “State of Louisiana, et al v. U.S. Department of Education, et al” bearing Case No. 3:24-CV-00563 on the records of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Anders, the meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

____________________________                                        _____________________________

Ricky Durrett, Secretary                                                      Gregg Phillips, President