LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 2, 1991 6:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 2, 1991 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were: Dr. Phil Rice, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. James R. Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. David Wright.
Absent: Mr. Allen Tuten.
In the absence of the board president, Dr. Phil Rice, Vice-President of the board, called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.
Mr. Ron Suggs presented Maxie Causey, fifth grade student at A.E. Phillips, who led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Mr. Suggs told the board that Maxie was an outstanding student and citizen at A. E. Phillips. Following the pledge, Dr. Cobb presented Maxie with a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the board.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the board held on March 20, 1991.
Special guests present for the meeting were honored at this time. Mr. Danny Bell, Supervisor of Elementary Education, introduced the Lincoln Parish winners for Students of the Year for 1991. These were Maggie Lynn Cathey, 5th grade student at Simsboro School who was named Elementary Student of the Year; Jennifer M. Chen, 8th grade student at Ruston Jr. High School who was named Junior High School Student of the Year; and Kimberly Dawn Watts, 12th grade student from Dubach High School who was named High School Student of the Year for Lincoln Parish. These students were presented with plaques from the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Another very special guest was recognized at this time. Judy Mabry, Chapter I Director, introduced Eddie Underwood, 2nd grade Chapter I student from Simsboro School who recently was selected a statewide winner, based on his paper written on Martin Luther King, Jr. Eddie was also presented a plaque from the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Following these presentations, the board expressed their appreciation to these students.
Dr. Rice welcomed the press, staff and other guests who were present for the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, the board voted to approve the Ruston Daily Leader as legal publication for 1991-92 as requested by Benice Holloway, Supervisor of Finance for the Lincoln Parish School System.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, the board voted to grant permission for Judy Mabry and Willie Washington to attend the International Reading Association Convention to be held in Las Vegas on May 6-10 as requested by Mrs. Mabry and Mr. Washington.
Mrs. Judy Mabry, Director of Chapter I, spoke to the board and requested permission to make application for the Chapter I Program for 1991-92. She indicated that at a needs assessment meeting held with principals, it was determined that Chapter I would begin servicing Kindergarten students housed at Lincoln Center and would delete the Chapter I program from Hillcrest Elementary School, based on the fact that Hillcrest does not qualify for the program due to the number of free and reduced lunches served. Based on the recommended change, in 1991-92 Chapter I would serve Glen View Elementary School, Ruston Elementary, Cypress Springs, Hico, Simsboro, Alma J. Brown Lab School, Lincoln Center, and the Methodist Children's Home. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to apply for the Chapter I Program for 1991-92 as requested above.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to authorize advertising for bids for Duplicating Fluid and Paper, Spirit and Thermal Masters, Toilet Tissue and Paper Towels for the 1991-92 school year as presented by Mr. Charles Owens.
The Curriculum Committee of the Lincoln Parish School Board met on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. and the following report was given by Ms. Ann Boyd, chairman:
1) Upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, and upon the recommendation the Curriculum Committee, the board voted unanimously to authorize the staff to begin preparation for Summer School for 1991 to be housed at Ruston High School under direction of Danny Garbarino and David Crowe and to employ the necessary teaching staff. The fee would be $75 for a half-credit and $125 for a full credit.
2) The Driver Education Program for 1991 was discussed at this time and upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mrs. Loyace and upon the recommendation of the Curriculum, Committee, the board voted unanimously to authorize the staff to make plans for Driver Education for 1991 and that the fee be increased from $100 to $110 to offset the increased cost of renting three vehicles instead of two and also due to increased cost of gasoline.
Driver Education will be housed at Ruston High School under the direction of Tommy Hay.
3) The next item considered by the Curriculum Committee was the introduction of Integrated Algebra/Geometry at Ruston High School as a pilot course. It was pointed out that the failure rate for Algebra I is very high. Integrated Algebra/Geometry would give weaker students a year of experience before taking Algebra I.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, and upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Committee, the board voted unanimously to include in our curriculum on a pilot basis at Ruston High School an integrated Algebra/Geometry program beginning in 1991-1992.
Mr. Ron Suggs presented an addendum to the personnel agenda and upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to amend the personnel agenda to include the addendum. Following this action, the board served as a Committee of the Whole and Mr. Suggs presented the following personnel items:
1. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of Intent to Retire submitted by Curley J. Bordelon, elementary teacher at I. A. Lewis to be effective May 31, 1991.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Mark Kavanaugh, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High School to be effective April 1, 1991.
3. A motion was made by Mr. Wayne Barfield and seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley to employ J. P. Dunbar as social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High School to replace Mark Kavanaugh.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted 11-0 on a roll call vote to enter into Executive Session at 7:09 p.m. to discuss the character and competence of a potential employee. Those voting for the motion were: Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. David Wright and Dr. Phil Rice.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Allen Tuten
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted 11-0 to go back into Regular Session at 7:20 p.m.
Following Executive Session and based upon the motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to employ J. P. Dunbar as social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High School to replace Mark Kavanaugh, effective April 1, 1991.
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to grant the requests for Sabbatical Leave for the following teachers:
a. Bobette Banks, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, for Sabbatical Leave beginning August 21, 1991 through May, 1992
b. Lora H. Hammons, English teacher at Dubach High School, for Sabbatical Leave beginning August 21, 1991 through January 20, 1992
c. Leska C. Nelson, teacher at Hico Elementary School, for Sabbatical Leave beginning August 21, 1991 through January 20, 1992
d. Dianne H. Hay, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, for Sabbatical Leave beginning August 21, 1991 through May, 1992
5. Upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted unanimously to employ Gertie Hawthorne as JOBS proctor at Lincoln Center. This will be funded through the JOBS Program.
The Sales Tax report for March, 1991 was given by Benice Holloway, Supervisor of Finance. She reported a slight increase of $332.56 or .17% over the same month last year. To date, sales tax receipts reflect a 5.6% increase over last year. Ms. Holloway indicated that a 6% increase is needed in order to insure the $1200/600 13th check.
The Financial Update for February, 1991 was given by Ms. Holloway.
Beginning July 1, 1991 all employees not covered by a retirement system will be required to pay social security at an employee rate of 7.65% to be matched by the school system. This will cost the Lincoln Parish School Board about $20,000 a year, according to Benice Holloway. Most of the employees involved are substitute teachers and some maintenance workers used during the summer months. An increase in employer's retirement contribution rate was presented at this time. Beginning July 1, 1991 the employer's share of retirement will increase to 17.5%. This will be an additional expense of $140,000 to the General Fund; $48,000 from Sales Tax; $23,000 from Lunch Fund and $16,00 out of Federal Fund. This is a total increase of $227,000 in Lincoln Parish's annual contributions. This increase is the result of an amendment to the state constitution allowing the state to pay off the teacher retirement unfunded liability. Beginning July 1, all school districts will be required to make up this deficit. According to the Superintendent and various board members, placing the burden on local school systems was never the original intent and purpose of Amendment 3. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that a report on the background of legislative wording or original intent of this amendment would be explored and determined and a report would be brought back to the board.
Mr. George Mack gave an update on the Reapportionment Committee meeting and indicated that a plan for reapportionment will be presented at a Public Hearing/Joint Meeting of Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury to be held in the Courthouse Annex on Tuesday, April 16, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted on a roll call vote of 11-0 to hold a Public Hearing/Joint Meeting of Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury at 7:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex. Voting for, the motion were: Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. David Wright, and Dr. Phil Rice.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Allen Tuten
It was reported that 2700 students in grades 2-6 recently attended the play, Little Red Riding Hood, held at Louisiana Tech. Dr. Cobb commended Mr. Danny Bell and Mr. Dwight Mitchell for planning and coordinating this effort.
The proposed school calendar for 1991-92 was presented at this time. Dr. Cobb explained the procedure used to arrive at a proposed calendar for the board's consideration. He indicated that all school employees are given the opportunity to vote on one of several options presented to them by the Superintendent's Advisory Committee. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to adopt option 4 with the following adjustment -- adjust Easter Holiday to include an additional day and to end school on June 1, 1992. The proposed calendar is as shown below:
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1991-92
August 21, 1991 School Begins-Parishwide Teacher Workshop
August 22, 1991 Students - 1/2 Day of Classes
August 23, 1991 Full Day Classes
September 2, 1991 Labor Day Holiday
November 25-29, 1991 Thanksgiving Holidays
December 2, 1991 Classes Resume
December 23, 1991- Christmas/New Year Holidays
January 3, 1992
January 6, 1992 Classes Resume
January 20, 1992 Mid-Term Break (No Classes)
January 21, 1992 Begin Second Semester
March 23-27, 1992 Spring Break
March 30, 1992 Classes Resume
April 17-20, 1992 Easter Holidays
April 21, 1992 Classes Resume
June 1, 1992 Last Day of School
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to adopt for inclusion in the Lincoln Parish School Board Policy Manual the policy entitled Media Utilization.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb indicated that the next regular scheduled board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 noon at Hillcrest Elementary School.
Dr. Cobb reported that Ruston High School received an excellent SACS evaluation recently. He offered congratulations to Mr. Garbarino and his staff.
Mr. Jim Kessler reported to the board that everything was on track with the Choudrant Sewerage Project.
Dr. Beasley indicated that the recent retreat held for board members was very enjoyable and a good time of fellowship was enjoyed by all attending.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Allen Tuten, President