LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, April 1, 2025  12:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center, 801 E. Mississippi Avenue, 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. Gregg Phillips, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Dr. Danielle Williams.

Mr. Otha Anders and Mr. Joe Mitcham were absent.

President Phillips called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests that were present, and Mr. Hancock gave the invocation.  A group of LPECC students led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

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

Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 4, 2025.

LPECC Principal Amy Brister welcomed everyone and expressed that they were very excited to host this month’s board meeting.  She shared information with board members about Lincoln Parish’s “littlest learners”, and explained how they learn and progress over the course of the school year.

Communications Coordinator Brandon Sutherland told board members that the Student of the Year process started in September with students in 5th, 8th and 12th grade.  Students from all regions of the state were nominated as representatives and went through the different rounds of competition before the field was narrowed down from a group of forty-eight to only eight SOY finalists.  Mr. Sutherland said that he was so proud to say that one of those eight finalists is from right here in Lincoln Parish – 2025 Middle School Student of the Year Finalist Avery Dixon.

Avery thanked the Board for honoring her with this recognition and she introduced her parents attending the meeting with her.  Board members congratulated her on this great accomplishment and wished her well in the final portion of the competition.

Next, Mr. Sutherland recognized Choudrant High School Principal Chris Jones as a state Principal of the Year Semi-Finalist for 2025.  He said that it was a privilege to recognize Mr. Jones who represents Lincoln Parish this year.

Several board members thanked him for representing Lincoln Parish so well.  Mr. Jones thanked the Choudrant community and school, his wife, and many members of the Lincoln Parish School Board staff who helped him with this process.  In addition, he thanked the Board for always making sure Lincoln Parish schools and teachers have everything they need in order to do their jobs.

Superintendent Ricky Durrett introduced Mr. Wendell Crowe who has been selected as the new principal for I.A. Lewis School beginning July 1, 2025.  He said Mr. Crowe had done a great job at Ruston High for the past 10 years and he was very proud of his progress there.  He added that Mr. Crowe was a great candidate for this position and he is confident that he will do a great job leading I.A. Lewis School.

Mr. Crowe thanked Mr. Durrett for his kind words and said that he is ready to start the new position at I.A. Lewis.  He added that he was excited to return to his “old stomping grounds” where he began when Mr. Ferguson hired him many years ago.  He thanked the board for the opportunity and added that he was eager to get to work.

Next Mr. Durrett told board members that when Chief Academic Officer Dana Talley left in December, some of her duties were distributed out until there was time to conduct interviews and select someone to fill the position.  Mr. Durrett said that he is happy to announce that the new Chief Academic Officer is Emily Howell.

Ms. Howell thanked Mr. Durrett and the Board and said that she was really excited to be here and ready to continue the work that has already been done, and to keep moving our school district forward.

In unfinished business, Network Administrator Seth Grigsby said that on February 28, 2025, bids in response to the posting of an FCC Form 470 for a new fiber circuit for the RHS Softball Complex were opened and scored.  After much review, we are asking the board to grant permission to reject all bids.  During next year’s Erate filing window, we would like to repost the Form 470, along with an RFP to provide more detailed specifications.  There will be a request for permission from the board before posting the Form 470 and Request for Proposal.

Upon a motion by Ms. Doss, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to reject all bids in response to the Form 470 posted for new fiber circuit (Category 1 Services) at the Ruston High School Softball Complex.

Maintenance Supervisor Ricky Edmiston told board members that on February 27, 2025, bids for 46 HVAC Units, 28 for Simsboro and 18 for Ruston Elementary, were opened and read aloud.  After review, we are asking the Board to reject all bids.  We would like to provide more detailed specifications, and increase the quantity of units bid to include 28 units for Glen View Elementary.

Upon a motion by Mr. Hancock, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to reject all bids for Project #014012 for 46 HVAC Units for Simsboro and Ruston Elementary.

In new business, Mr. Edmiston said the existing HVAC Units at Simsboro, Ruston Elementary, and Glen View Elementary Schools need to be upgraded to improve air quality in classrooms and the energy efficiency of the units.  The current units are old and it is difficult to find parts to repair these units when they fail.  We are seeking permission to advertise for bids for 74 classroom HVAC Units to replace 28 units at Simsboro, 18 units at Ruston Elementary, and 28 units at Glen View Elementary.

Upon a motion by Ms. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Henderson, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the replacement of 28 units at Simsboro, 18 units at Ruston Elementary, and 28 units at Glen View Elementary, and also grant permission to the district administration to accept the lowest qualified bid.

Chief Financial Officer Juanita Duke said this is the time of year when we come before the Board to request permission to distribute the May Salary Supplement (14th) Check.  She said the amount requested is $3,436 for certified salaried staff and $1,718 for support salaried staff.  She reminded board members that the board approved a redistribution of the traditional May Salary Supplement Check where a portion of the supplement was moved and distributed to salaried employees in their regular monthly checks throughout the year.  There is no change from the prior year’s amount, and she asked the Board for approval of these distribution amounts to be made on the May 23 payroll.

Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Canterbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the payment of salary supplements on May 23, 2025, in the amounts of $3,436 to salaried certified/professional personnel and $1,718 to salaried support personnel.

Dr. Laura Cassidy and Ms. Jenny Morse presented a report on the launch of a Ruston branch of the Louisiana Key Academy, a tuition-free Type 2 charter school for students diagnosed with dyslexia.  Dr. Cassidy said that they currently have three schools in Louisiana and are excited to add a pod in Ruston for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.  Ms. Morse shared information about the mechanics of the Ruston Pod.

Dr. Williams offered an update of the 2025 COSSBA National Conference, which she attended in Atlanta, Georgia last month.  She said it was a privilege to attend and the theme of this year’s conference was “Bridging the Gaps and Breaking Barriers”.

Mr. Ferguson also gave a brief update on the Louisiana School Board Association Convention in Lake Charles that he attended in February of this year.

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

Juanita Duke, Chief Financial Officer, reported March 2025 sales tax collections were up 5.4% compared to the same month last year, and 7% overall for the fiscal year.

In the financial report for February, Ms. Duke reported actual General Fund revenue received is approximately 72% of estimated revenues and actual expenditures paid are 58.7% of estimated expenditures for the fiscal year.  In the Special Revenue Funds, actual revenues are 76% and actual expenditures are 54% of budget estimates.  The undesignated General Fund balance represents 57.8% of budgeted expenditures at this point in time.

Ms. Duke reported on the Health Insurance Fund, stating that total contributions to the plan plus interest is $1.48 million for the month of February. Total expenses paid in February is $1.46 million, resulting in a positive change in net assets of $15,000 for the month. Total cumulative contributions from plan participants and the School Board in the first two months of the year is $2.98 million, which is $557,000 more in contributions than last year at this time. Total expenses for the plan year are $2.34 million, resulting in $47,000 increase in plan net assets thus far.

In the Enrollment Report, Superintendent Durrett said that attendance in all schools was above 90%.

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

Mr. Mack said that Dr. Williams has been recognized as a Certified Board Member by the Louisiana School Board Association for her extensive training hours, accumulating 20 total when the minimum required for a year is only six.  He added that this is a great accomplishment and puts our board and this community in a great light.  Thank you Dr. Williams.

After comments from board members, upon a motion by Mr. Smith, the meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.