2024-11-07

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Ruston High School, 900 Bearcat Drive, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Ms. Debbie Abrahm, Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. David Ferguson, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Gregg Phillips, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Dr. Danielle Williams.

President Phillips called the meeting to order and welcomed guests. Mr. Canterbury gave the invocation and Ms. Doss led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on October 1, 2024, as printed.

Ruston High School Principal Dan Gressett welcomed everyone and said he and his staff were excited to show board members newly completed renovations, and he shared some of the great things going on at RHS.

In a report from the Joint Building and Grounds and Finance Committee Meeting, Mr. Hancock, Chairman of Building and Grounds, shared that the committee recommendation was to commit $500,000 from the Insurance Proceeds Capital Projects Fund to fund anticipated cost increases for the Choudrant School District No. 6 Capital Improvement Projects. This money would only be used if total project costs, after bids are received, come in over the $2.2 million.

Upon a motion from the committee, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted 10-1 to approve the recommendation to commit $500,000 in the Insurance Proceeds Capital Projects Fund for the completion of the Choudrant School District No. 6 Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Ferguson voted no.

Mr. Hancock said to complete all projects in the Ruston School District No. 1 Capital Improvements Plan, the committee recommendation was to commit $3.8 million of the district’s local capital project funds (from Insurance Proceeds and the Parishwide CPFs) for the projects. These funds would only be used after bond funds have been spent. The full amount of this commitment may not be needed, and if needed it would not be used until the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Upon a motion from the committee, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board voted 10-1 to approve the recommendation to commit $3.8 million of funds in the local capital project funds (the Insurance Proceeds and the Parishwide Capital Projects) for the completion of the Ruston School District No. 1 Capital Improvements Plan. Mr. Ferguson voted no.

Finance Committee Chairman George Mack, Jr. reported that the committee recommended the Board approve the Guidelines for Distribution of 2024 Certificated and Support Staff Stipends (FY 2024-25). The distribution will be made to eligible staff on a special payroll scheduled for payment on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Upon a motion from the committee, seconded by Mr. Smith, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Guidelines for Distribution of 2024 Certificated and Support Staff Stipends (FY 2024-25) and authorize an amendment to the 2024-2025 Salary Schedule to include this plan.

Next, Mr. Mack said the committee recommended the Board approve the Guidelines for Distribution of Differentiated Compensation Stipends (FY 2024-25). This year’s distribution amount will be $455.00 paid to 286 eligible teachers (out of 451) with the regular payroll on January 24, 2025.

Upon a motion by the committee, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Guidelines for Distribution of Differentiated Compensation Stipends (FY 2024-25) and authorize an amendment to the 2024-2025 Salary Schedule to include this plan.

Board members were asked by Assistant Superintendent John Young to study the following policy manual revisions in preparation for the next meeting: BCBB – Notification of School Board Meetings, BCBJ – Broadcasting and Taping of School Board Meetings, CED – Employment of Superintendent, GAK – Personnel Records, GAMK – Use of Pronouns and Given Names, GBC – Recruitment, IDBA – Sex Education, IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities, and JGC – Student Health Services. This information will be studied for the month of November and there will be a vote at the December Board meeting.

Superintendent Durrett told the Board that the City of Ruston has made available 14.45 acres located at 2201 S. Farmerville Street to be used for the construction of the new Ruston High School Softball Complex. This site is in close proximity to the RHS baseball and tennis facilities, and is a more “construction ready” site than the originally proposed Bittersweet site. The Bittersweet property would require extensive dirt and drainage work.

Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Ms. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the purchase of 14.45 acres located at 2201 S. Farmerville Street for $150,000 from the City of Ruston to be used for the Ruston High School softball facility.

Director of Human Resources, Dr. Doris Lewis, continued with a personnel report. She communicated the following information:

1. Retirement of Kimberly Shackelford, Director of Federal Programs at Central Office, effective February 11, 2025.

2. Administrative Point of Reference:

Dr. Sheila Nugent, transferring from Facilitator of Federal Programs-ACHIEVE to Director of Federal Programs at Central Office, replacing Kimberly Shackelford who retired.

3. Resignation of JaCara Boatner, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, effective October 26, 2024.

4. Employment of the following:

Carlos Anding, English teacher at Ruston High School, replacing Amy Gallien who resigned, effective October 21, 2024; and

Markia Daigs, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, replacing JaCara Boatner who resigned, effective October 24, 2024.

5. Retirement of Charisa Colvin, bus operator with Transportation, effective January 7, 2025.

6. Employment of Brian Kent, bus operator-itinerate with Transportation, replacing LaToysia Bussey who transferred, effective October 14, 2024.

6. Employment of Jessie Sibley, custodian at Ruston High School, replacing Timotry Carter who resigned, effective October 28, 2024.

Filling in for CFO Juanita Duke, Mr. James Odom reported that sales tax receipts for the month ending October 2024 were up .25% compared to the same month last year. This represents approximately 34% of the total collected last year and the overall net increase for the year is 7.21%. Audit recoveries collected were $179,000, which is about 80% of recoveries compared to the prior year.

Moving on to the September 2024 financial update, Mr. Odom stated combined general funds total revenue as of September 30, 2024 is $15.9 million, which is approximately 24% of the budgeted amount and is a $690,000 increase over last year. Total expenses as of September 30, 2024 is 10.4 million, which is approximately 16% of the budgeted amount and $566,000 increase over last year. In the combined special revenue funds, total revenues were $7.9 million, which is approximately 21% of the budget, and expenditures totaled $7 million which is approximately 22%.

Mr. Odom noted that the total contributions in income to the health fund showed a $150,000 increase in revenues. The main increase is due to funds from LPSB transferring funding to cover increased health insurance cost. The change in net assets is approximately $1.3 million more than this time last year.

Following comments from board members and upon a motion by Mr. Smith, the meeting adjourned at 12:32 p.m.

_______________________________	_______________________________
Ricky Durrett, Secretary	Gregg Phillips, President