LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, June 4, 1991 7:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 4, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Mr. Allen Tuten, Dr. Phil Rice, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, 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: Dr. Marty Beasley
Just prior to the board meeting a reception for all retiring employees of the Lincoln Parish School System was held in the lobby. At this time, certificates of appreciation were presented to each retiree.
Mr. Allen Tuten, president, called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests and members of the staff and media who were present. The invocation was given by Mr. Jim Kessler.
Upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the board held on May 7, 1991.
A warm welcome was extended to the large group of students who were invited to the board meeting to receive special recognition for their achievements at the state rally. Mr. Suggs recognized each student and their accomplishments. and Mr. Danny Bell presented a certificate of appreciation to each of the honored guests. Also recognized were parents and advisors of these students. Mr. Tuten spoke words of appreciation on behalf of the board for their outstanding work.
At this time, District Attorney Bob Levy was recognized and he presented Mr. Jay McCallum, Assistant District Attorney, to the board. Mr. McCallum will be focusing on representing public bodies and will work with the Lincoln Parish School Board.
A request for permission to apply for funds through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Preschool Flow-Through was presented by Mrs. Virginia Selle, Supervisor of Special Education. This is an annual request. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant permission to apply for these funds as stated above.
The board then heard a report from the Personnel Committee as presented by Mr. Andy Shealy, chairman, and the following action was taken:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, to accept the letter of Intent to Resign, effective May 31, 1991, submitted by Annie Norris, French Instructor at Ruston Jr. High/Ruston High School.
2. Mr. Shealy presented the following letters of Intent to Retire, effective May 31, 1991 and upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to accept the letters of Intent to Retire submitted by the following teachers:
a. Dorothy D. Prescott, librarian at Choudrant High School
b. Wilma McCoy, math teacher at Dubach High School
3. Mr. Shealy presented the letter of Intent to Retire submitted by Dwight Mitchell, Supervisor of Transportation for Lincoln Parish Schools. This was accompanied by an additional letter of request from Mr. Mitchell requesting permission from the board to be allowed to use 16.5 days of accumulated annual leave in addition to the 25 allowable days of annual leave to be taken in the 1991-92 fiscal year. His effective date of retirement would be contingent upon board action on this request. Mr. Mitchell was present and spoke to the board on behalf of his request. He indicated that he had said that he would return to the Lincoln Parish School Board Office one (1) day a week for an unspecified length of time in order to aid in making the transition. A lengthy discussion among members of the board was held at this time. It was felt by some that the policy adopted in 1988 governing the use of annual leave should be upheld. This policy states that annual leave taken in excess of the 25 allowable days per fiscal year would be done so only in the case of extenuating circumstances. It was further pointed out that the board would be setting a precedence in granting the use of these additional days. The board was in agreement that regardless of the action taken, they should be consistent in all requests of this nature.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Personnel Committee, the motion was presented to deny the request received from Dwight Mitchell to be allowed to use 16.5 additional annual leave days in excess of the 25 allowable days in the 1991-92 fiscal year. The motion failed by a 5-4 vote.
A substitute motion was made by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, to accept the letter of Intent to Retire submitted by Dwight Mitchell to be effective August 28, 1991 and that Mr. Mitchell be allowed to use the 16.5 days of annual leave in excess of the 25 allowable days in the 1991-92 fiscal year. The motion passed by 8-1 vote.
4. Mr. Shealy asked Dr. Cobb to present the administrative recommendations and upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted, upon the Superintendent's recommendation, to approve the following interim one-year appointments:
a. Sandra Henderson as interim principal at Ruston Jr. High School for the 1991-92 school year
b. Cecil Barham as interim full-time assistant principal at Ruston Jr. High School for the 1991-92 school year
c. Greg Williams as interim half-time assistant principal at Ruston Jr. High School for the 1991-92 school year. He will continue to coach football at Ruston High School.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Finance Committee items were addressed:
1. The Revised Budget for all funds for 1990-91 was presented to the board by Benice McGee at the request of Dr. Phil Rice, chairman of the Finance Committee. She presented a brief explanation update on the budget to include additional revenues and expenditures that have been received and approved by the board since the Tentative Budget was adopted in September, 1990. She further indicated that the grand total ending balance as of June 30, 1991 is $4,467,550. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Ms. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to adopt the Revised Budget for all funds for 1990-91.
2. The next item addressed was to consider transferring the interest received from Choudrant Capital Projects Fund to Choudrant Debt Service Fund. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the Choudrant District #6 Capital Projects Fund June 30, 1991 Fund Balance, approximately $23,328, to the Choudrant Debt Service Fund to help with the August 1, 1991 Bonds and Interest payments.
3. Dr. Rice asked Pam Roy to present the proposed insurance coverage as submitted and upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted to accept the following insurance coverage as recommended:
United Community - Huval Agency
Property $ 153,738
Business Auto Vehicle
Comp. General Liability
Errors & Omissions $ 4,273
Zurich-American - La. School Bds. Ins. Trust
Boiler & Machinery $ 2,170
Totals $ 160,181
4. Dr. Gerald W. Cobb, Superintendent, gave an update on the status of the Sales Tax Funds available for the salary adjustment or 13th check to be given to all Lincoln Parish School Board employees on July 1, 1991. Dr. Cobb indicated that the board would be able to give $1200 to certified personnel and $600 to noncertified or support personnel. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to approve the $1200/600 salary adjustment distribution to be paid on July 1, 1991.
A financial update for April, 1991 was given by Benice McGee, Supervisor of Finance for Lincoln Parish Schools.
Sales Tax receipts for May 1991 reflected a slight decrease but a year-to-date overall increase.
Mr. Ron Suggs reported to the board on the test scores for Lincoln Parish students. He explained that the California Achievement test is a norm-referenced test which compares our students to students throughout the United States. The 50th percentile is considered average. All grades in Lincoln Parish K-9 scored from 7.1% to 1.9% above the average, ranking Lincoln Parish as a leader in the state once again.
For the first time ever the fourth grade scored above the 50th percentile with a huge increase of 7.4% above last year's scores.
The LEAP tests are criterion-referenced tests which compare our students against other Louisiana students. Although we are already near the top in the state on these test scores, we continue to show improvement in many areas and are above the state average by 10-12% in almost every grade and category.
The results of exit exams in Lincoln Parish Schools were addressed by Mr. Suggs. All seniors in Louisiana are required to pass all parts of the test before they are eligible to receive a diploma. Mr. Suggs indicated that Lincoln Parish teachers are doing an excellent job in preparing students for this exit exam. Lincoln Parish did not have a senior who was unable to graduate because they did not pass the exit exam. According to Dr. Cobb, this is a tremendous accomplishment for Lincoln Parish Schools and, upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to draft a resolution of appreciation for a job well done to be sent to the teachers of Lincoln Parish Schools.
Mrs. Mary Stinson, coordinator of P.R.I.D.E. of Lincoln Parish, came before the board to inform them of the work being done by this organization in reaching parents to make them more aware of drugs and to teach parenting skills. She asked for the continued support of the board in taking this program into the schools.
Dr. Janet Humphries spoke to the board regarding the grant recently awarded dealing with Early Childhood Education. This grant is one of only three given nationwide. She explained briefly how the program will work. Students at Lincoln Center who are four and five years old will be involved as well as parents. One of the main thrusts of the program is to attempt to raise the self-esteem of young children. Dr. Humphries introduced other individuals who will be working in the program.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb addressed the following items:
1. He asked for permission to advertise the Supervisor of Transportation position and upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted to grant permission to advertise to fill the position of Supervisor of Transportation/Child Welfare and Attendance.
2. The board expressed their desire to rewrite the policy dealing with annual leave to limit the number of days taken per year and to allow no extenuating circumstances as it relates to using accumulated annual leave days just prior to retirement.
Mr. Jim Kessler reported to the board that progress is being made on the Choudrant Sewerage facility as it pertains to the school system.
Mrs. Loyace Braggs offered brief comments on the recent International Reading Conference held in Las Vegas. Board members were given a handout on the conference.
The next board meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, July 2, 1991.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Allen Tuten, President