1991-08-06

LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, August 6, 1991 6:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 6, 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: Mr. Allen Tuten, 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: None

Mr. Tuten 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. Paul Woodard.

Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the Board held on July 2, 1991.

Dr. Rice at this point asked that the board agenda be amended to delete an item of discussion to be presented at a later date, and upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to amend the agenda to delete this item as requested.

Mr. Danny Bell presented a request for permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of library books for all Lincoln Parish Schools for 1992-94. Upon a motion by Mr. James Kessler, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of library books for 1992-94.

Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant permission to apply for Impacted Aid for 1991-92 as requested by Mr. Ron Suggs.

Mr. Andy Shealy, chairman, presented the report of the Personnel Committee held on Monday, August 5, 1991 and the following action was taken:

1. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Gerald Cobb and the Personnel Committee, the board voted, upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, to appoint Ms. Sharon Thomas as Supervisor of Special Education to succeed Virginia Selle who retired effective June 30, 1991. Ms. Thomas's appointment will become effective on August 7, 1991.

Voting for the motion: Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. David Wright, Dr. Marty Beasley , Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. James Kessler, Dr. Phil Rice, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mrs. Loyace Braggs.

Abstained: Mr. Andy Shealy

2. Upon the recommendation by Mr. Harry Jones, principal of Simsboro School, Dr. Gerald Cobb and the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the board, upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, voted to name Rik Cason as interim assistant principal at Simsboro School to succeed Cecil Barham who was recently named as interim assistant principal at Ruston Jr. High School for the 1991-92 school year. Mr. Cason's appointment will become effective on August 7, 1991.

3. Mr. Suggs presented the faculty/staff resignations and upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the Board voted, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, to accept the following resignations:

a. Paula Osbon resigning as school secretary at Choudrant Elementary, effective August 1, 1991

b. Ann Smithey resigning as Special Education teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective July 23, 1991

c. Theresa Moore resigning as elementary teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective July 30, 1991

d. Jay Newcomb resigning as math/coach at Ruston High School, effective July 1, 1991

e. Rodney Southern resigning as social studies/coach at RHS, effective July 19, 1991

f. Perry Myles resigning as science teacher/coach at RHS, effective May 31, 1991

g. Penny Simpson resigning as business teacher at RHS, effective July 23, 1991

h. Betty Price resigning as teacher at Ruston Jr. High School, effective July 24, 1991

i. Melinda Garrett resigning as elementary teacher at Simsboro, effective July 21, 1991

4. As a point of reference, Mr. Suggs informed the board of the following transfers:

a. Guyette Barham, math teacher at Simsboro, transferring to Dubach High School

b. Ben Green, elementary teacher at Choudrant, transferring to I. A. Lewis

c. Janet Hammock, Special Education teacher at I. A. Lewis, transferring to Cypress Springs

d. Terri Johnson, English/Office at RHS, transferring to counselor position at Ruston High School

e. Cynthia McMurray, Chapter I teacher at Hillcrest, transferring to Lincoln Center Chapter I Program

f. Jennifer Thompson, secretary at Pupil Appraisal, transferring to Choudrant Elementary as school secretary

g. Gwen Torbor, Special Education teacher at Cypress Springs, transferring to Simsboro

h. Connie White, Chapter I teacher at Hillcrest, transferring to Lincoln Center

i. Charlesetta Williams, Adult Education teacher at Ruston Vo-Tech. transferring to Lincoln Center. The Adult Education Program will be housed at Lincoln Center.

j. Marj Berguson, 4-hour clerk at Ruston Jr. High School, transferring to Ruston Jr. High School office

All of the above listed transfers will become effective on August 21, 1991 with the exception of Jennifer Thompson's. Her transfer will become effective on August 7, 1991.

5. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to accept the Letter of Intent to Retire submitted by Sarah Williams, counselor at Choudrant High School, effective August 8, 1991

6. The following requests for Sabbatical Leave for the upcoming school year were presented and upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to grant the requests for Sabbatical Leave as shown:

a. Mr. Jerry Burnham, math teacher at Ruston High School, requested a Sabbatical Leave for the 1991-92 school year for rest and recuperation.

b. Ms. Kay Rabb, teacher at Glen View Elementary, requested a Sabbatical Leave for the second semester of the 1991-92 school year for professional improvement.

7. Mr. Suggs presented a request for Leave Without Pay beginning September 1, 1991 through January 1, 1992 submitted by Judy Mabry, Director of Chapter I. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to grant Mrs. Mabry's request for a Leave Without Pay beginning on September 1, 1991 through January 1, 1992.

8. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. David Wright, and upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the board voted to employ the following teaching personnel for the 1991-92 school year:

a. Lisa Boggs as teacher at Choudrant Elementary to replace Bobette Banks who is on Sabbatical Leave

b. Karen Holmes as teacher at Choudrant Elementary to replace Ben Green, transferred

c. Amy Clark as teacher at Choudrant Elementary to replace Rebecca Roach who is on Sabbatical Leave

d. Anita Henderson as teacher at Choudrant Elementary to replace Lucy Spillers who is on Leave Without Pay

e. Teresia Nicholson as teacher at Choudrant Elementary in a new position

f. Mary Dalme as art instructor at Choudrant/Hico/Simsboro to replace Mary Jane Lewis, resigned

g. Gloria Johnson as English teacher at Choudrant High to replace Lenora Miller, retired

h. Zilla Cone as Library/English at Choudrant High to replace Dorothy Prescott, retired

i. Ollie Lolley as counselor at Choudrant High to replace Sarah Williams, retired

j. Kristie Frazier as teacher at Cypress Springs to replace Billie Brewer, retired

k. Jodi Walker as teacher at Cypress Springs in a new position

l. Maribel Tuten as teacher at Ruston Elementary to replace Dianne Hay who is on Sabbatical Leave

m. Faith Holman as English/Coach at RHS to replace Henry Island, retired

n. David Anderson as English/Coach at RHS to replace Terri Johnson who transferred to counselor position

o. David Klick as social studies/coach at RHS to replace Betty Lee who is on Sabbatical Leave

p. James Meadors as science/coach at RHS to replace Perry Myles, resigned

q. Doug Gough as English/coach at RHS to replace Jay Newcomb, resigned

r. Todd Thompson as social studies/coach at RHS to replace Rodney Southern, resigned

s. Mary Catherine Moss as teacher at Ruston Jr. High School to replace Betty Price, resigned

t. Tamara Ballery as teacher at Simsboro Elementary to replace Melinda Garrett, resigned

u. Rosie Hodges as Alternative Program teacher at Lincoln Center in a new 112 time position

v. Lenora Miller as Alternative Program teacher at Lincoln Center in a new 112 time position

w. Kathryn Arthur as Special Education teacher at Methodist Children's Home in a new position

x. Alexa Ginn as Special Education teacher at Choudrant/Cypress Springs in a new position

y. Debra Edwards as Special Education teacher at I. A. Lewis to replace Janet Hammock who has transferred

z. Reneah Doherty as Special Education teacher at I. A. Lewis to replace Ann Smithey, resigned

aa. Shirley Boyd as Special Education teacher at RHS in a new position

9. Mr. Suggs presented the following recommendations and upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, and upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the board voted to employ:

a. Nancy Thompson as computer proctor at Choudrant in a new position

b. Tiffany Dunbar as computer proctor at Hillcrest in a new position

10. Mrs. Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented the following recommendation and upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to accept the Letter of Intent to Resign submitted by John McTear, 7-hour technician in the SFS program, effective June 30, 1991

11. As a point of reference, Mrs. Theodos presented the following information to the board:

a. Pamula Wisdom, 4-hour clerk at Hillcrest, transferring to Ruston High School manager position

b. Marj Berguson, 4-hour clerk at Ruston Jr. High, transferred

c. Ernestine Spearman, technician at Ruston Jr. High School, transferred to clerk/technician position

12. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to employ the following personnel:

a. Beatrice Woods as technician at Cypress Springs in a new position

b. Vicky Bowden as 4-hour clerk at Hillcrest to replace Pamula Wisdom who transferred to Ruston High School

c. Thelma Jones as 7-hour technician at Ruston Elementary to replace Neva Edmonds, retired

d. Annette Davis as 4-hour technician at RHS to replace John McTear, resigned

e. Patsy Slack as 4-hour technician at RHS to replace John McTear, resigned

f. Becky Pickett as 4-hour technician at RHS in a new position

g. Connie Ingle as a 4-hour technician at RHS in a new position

h. Charlotte Martin as a 4-hour technician at Ruston Jr. High School in a new position

13. Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Programs, presented the maintenance/custodial recommendations and upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to accept the following resignations:

a. Keith Collinsworth in maintenance department resigning effective July 11, 1991

b. Cardell Pringle, custodian at Cypress Springs, resigned effective July 8, 1991

14. The next agenda item dealt with the dismissal of a custodial employee. This will be placed on the August 20 board agenda to be heard by the full board at that time.

15. As a matter of information, it was pointed out that Cypress Springs will be the largest elementary school in the parish in the 1991-92 school year.

It was requested at this time that an update on interaction with the Methodist Children's Home be presented to the board in the near future.

The report of the Finance Committee was given by Dr. Phil Rice, chairman, and the following action was taken:

1. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously on a 12-0 roll call vote to approve the proposed ad valorem millages for each school district for 1991.

The proposed millages for 1991 are as follows:

1991

1990 PROPOSED

MILLAGES MILLAGES

Ruston School District #1 25.00 Mills 23-50 Mills

Simsboro School District #3 29.00 Mills 31-50 Mills

Dubach School District #5 -0- Mills -0- Mills

Choudrant School District #6 45.00 Mills 62.00 Mills

Parishwide Special Maintenance and

Operation Tax 5.22 Mills 5.22 Mills

Parishwide Constitutional Tax 5.06 Mills 5.06 Mills

Parishwide Special Repair and

Equipment Tax 5.22 Mills 5.22 Mills

Ruston School District #1

Maintenance & Operation 3.09 Mills 3.09 Mills

Simsboro School District #3

Maintenance & Operation 3.14 mills 3.14 mills

Dubach School District #5

Maintenance & Operation 3.00 Mills 3.00 Mills

TOTALS 123.73 Mills 141.73 Mills

2. The procedure and timetable for the adoption of the proposed 1991-92 budget as required by law was presented by Benice McGee and upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to approve the procedure and timetable for the adoption of the proposed 199192 budget as shown below:

Presentation of Budget as required by Revised Statutes 39:1301 Through 39:1314

August 6, 1991 - Presentation of Proposed 1991-92 Budget for all funds.

Board Action Required

1. Authorization to publish General Summary Budget in Ruston Leader on August 9, 1991 and notice that the Proposed 1991-92 Budget is available for Public inspection at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

2. Authorization to publish a notice in the Ruston Leader on August 9, 1991, that a presentation of the Proposed 1991-92 Budget at a public hearing at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana, on August 20, 1991 at 6:30 p.m.

August 9, 1991 -Publish a General Summary Budget in the Ruston Leader along with notice of public inspection and public hearing on August 20, 1991.

August 20, 1991 - Presentation of Proposed Budget at public hearing at School Board meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 3, 1991 - Adoption of Proposed Budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1991 and ending June 30, 1992.

3. Supervisor of Finance, Benice McGee, encouraged board members to study their copy of the proposed budget and be prepared to ask questions if they so desire. It was pointed out at this time that the increase in retirement contributions from 13.8% to 17.3% had created an additional cost to the board of $150,000 to $200,000 in retirement premiums.

4. Dr. Cobb informed members of the board that all support personnel will receive a pay increase which was recently granted by the Legislature in the amount of $600. Five-sixths of this amount ($500) will be funded this year and the remaining one-sixth ($100) will be funded in 1992-93. Lincoln Parish will receive $167,827 in additional funds for this salary increase. This amount includes salary and retirement contributions. Dr. Cobb indicated that the Lincoln Parish School Board had adopted a resolution asking for this increase, along with many other systems in the state.

5. Mrs. Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, informed the board that a breakfast program would be offered in the Lincoln Parish School System beginning fall. This is a mandated program. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted to set the prices for the breakfast as follows:

Reduced - $ .30

Paying - .60

Adults - 1.00

Visitors - 1.50

6. Information was given to the board concerning funds that have been allocated to each school district in the state to be used to reimburse drivers for the cost of fuel. Dr. Cobb again indicated that Lincoln Parish requested this assistance through the adoption of a formal resolution. The amount funded for Lincoln Parish is $15,500. Upon a motion by Dr. Phil Rice, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted that the drivers be reimbursed on a mileage traveled basis in order that we will remain consistent with what we are already doing.

A Financial Update was given for June, 1991 by Benice McGee.

Following that update, she gave a report on Sales Tax receipts for the month of July, 1991. These receipts reflected a 5.2% or approximately $11,911.01 decrease as compared to collections in July, 1990.

Ron Suggs reported to the board on the Lincoln Parish Administrators' Workshop held recently. He indicated that this proved to be a very productive week. As a result of the workshop, principals and schools will be involved in two improvement programs. Each school chose to participate in a program in which they set goals for a school improvement program within their school. Mr. Danny Bell has been instrumental in putting this program together. Also, Mr. Richard Hinton and Mr. Robert Smith will work with the PRIDE program in getting parents involved in discipline.

Mr. Suggs highlighted numerous other features of the workshop such as grading and testing procedures in high school, elementary math program, remediation for LEAP, guidelines for altering the dress codes at schools to allow walking shorts, test scores, exit examination, etc. In discussing the Exit Exam in Lincoln Parish, it was the unanimous decision that a board policy be established stating that a student cannot march with the graduating class if they do not pass the exit exam.

Mr. Richard Hinton spoke to the board on the new bus drivers license or Commercial Drivers' License which will become mandatory on April 1, 1991. A large number of our drivers have passed the tests to receive this license; however, we still have some who will need to retake the test. Mr. Hinton reviewed the current procedures for certification for our bus drivers. The board asked that this Commercial Drivers License (CDL) be required in our certification procedure for new drivers and applicants.

Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Phil Rice, the board voted unanimously to require that Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) be mandatory in our certification procedure for new drivers/applicants.

Mr. Charles Owens presented bids for the following supplies and upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, the board voted to accept the low bid that met specifications for each item:

PURCHASE OF TOILET TISSUE AND PAPER TOWELS

PURCHASE OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL

SPIRIT AND THERMAL MASTERS

DUPLICATING FLUID AND PAPER

Mr. Owens indicated that no bids were received on the rental of dust mops for 1991-92.

Dr. Cobb informed the board that A. G. Edwards had notified him that they wished to withdraw from participating in the refunding of the Ruston School District Bonds.

Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to proceed with participation in the refunding of Ruston School District Bonds and that Dr. Cobb, Mr. Tuten, and Dr. Rice be given authority to act on behalf of the board, within the guidelines set by the board.

Leasing of buses was discussed at this time. Mr. Hinton brought the board up to date on the status of our bus situation. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Hinton told the board that he would like to request approval to lease six buses, including an additional bus for a new Special Education route to be scheduled, at a cost of $400 per month per bus for nine months. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Phil Rice, the board voted to grant the request made by Mr. Hinton to lease the buses.

Following all items of business to be considered, comments were offered by several board members regarding their thoughts on different school related items.

Dr. Beasley spoke of the recent passing of Mr. R. W. "Moose" Phillips and Mr. Sidney "Dusty" Rhodes, long time educators with the Lincoln Parish School System. She asked that resolutions of tribute be prepared on both of these late educators.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Allen Tuten, President