LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
April 7, 1992 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 7, 1992 at 6:00 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, Mr. David Wright, 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. Allen Tuten.
Absent: None
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and Dr. Marty Beasley gave the invocation.
Dr. Rice welcomed the press and members of the staff and media who were present.
Mr. Charles Hogan, principal of Choudrant Elementary, was recognized at this time. He introduced a very special guest, Laura Phillips, fifth grade student from Choudrant Elementary who was present to lead the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Mr. Hogan told the board that Laura was Choudrant Elementary's Student of the Year. She is also an honor roll student with a 4.0 grade average, belongs to the Honors Club, and is editor of the student newspaper. Mr. Hogan further indicated that Laura is the kind of student that every teacher dreams of having. Following the pledge, Dr. Cobb presented Laura with a certificate of appreciation from the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by. Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the board held on March 3, 1992.
Dr. Rice recognized Mrs. Barbara Kirkland, central office supervisor, who called the board's attention to some additional special guests. She first introduced Emily C. Hanchey, eighth grade student at Ruston Jr. High School, who is the overall parishwide winner of the Lincoln Parish Spelling Bee. Emily is now eligible to participate in the National Spelling Bee to be held in Washington D.C. on May 24-31. Dr. Cobb presented to Emily, on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, a plaque of appreciation for her outstanding work in the Spelling Bee.
Also present were Lincoln Parish Student of the Year winners. Mrs. Kirkland presented Michelle Lin Winter, 5th grade student at Glen View and the parishwide elementary Student of the Year; Brendan 14. Reagan, 8th grade student at A. E. Phillips and the parishwide junior high school Student of the Year, and Alice Miller, 12th grade student at Ruston High School and the parishwide senior high Student of the Year. Dr. Cobb spoke of his pride in these students and presented them, on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, with plaques of appreciation. Members of the board also expressed their congratulations and appreciation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the board voted to authorize expenditure of Instructional Supply Money for 1992-93 as shown below:
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES FOR 1992-93
1. Art K-12 1.00 per student
2. Library Supplies K-5 .50 per student
6-12 1.00 per student
3. Magazines K-6 1.70 per student
& Newspapers
7-12 2.00 per student
4. Music K-5 .50 per student
6-12 1.00 per student
5. Physical K-12 1.00 per student
Education
6. Science K-6 .50 per student
7-8 2.00 per student
9-12 3.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve the Ruston Daily Leader as legal publication for 1992-93 as requested by Pam Roy, accountant for Lincoln Parish Schools.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, the board voted to grant permission for Willie Washington, acting Director of Chapter I Programs, to attend the International Reading Association Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida on May 37, 1992 as requested by Mr. Washington. This will be funded by Chapter I funds and is a budgeted item.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to grant permission to make application for funds for the Chapter I Program for 1992-93 as requested by Willie Washington. Mr. Washington told the board that all elementary schools will be served in the 1992-93 school year.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for the following items for the 1992-93 school year as requested by Charles Owens:
Duplicating Fluid and Paper
Thermal and Spirit Masters
Toilet Tissue and Paper Towels
Dust Mops
Gasoline and Diesel
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for all bid items to be purchased for the School Food Service Program in 1992-93 as requested by Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to grant permission to allow the State Department of Historic Preservation to place the Ruston High School building on the National Register with the stipulation that this will in no way limit or prohibit the Lincoln Parish School Board from any type of change they wish to make to this building in the future. This was presented to the board by Dr. Cobb.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to accept the following letters of Intent to Retire as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Mary Ashford, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary School, effective June 2, 1992
b. Sadie Ludley, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, effective June 2, 1992
c. Alpha 0. Jones, social studies teacher at Dubach High School, effective June 2, 1992
d. Dorothy Rodgers, elementary teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective June 2, 1992
e. Dorothy Carter, assessment teacher at Lincoln Center, effective June 16, 1992
f. Alice Farrar, itinerant homebound teacher, effective June 2,1992
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to grant the following faculty requests for Sabbatical Leave as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Robert Summerlin, coach/social studies teacher at Ruston Jr. High School, for Sabbatical Leave for 1992-93
b. Jane Atchison, French teacher at Simsboro, for Sabbatical Leave for the 1st semester of 1992-93 and Leave-Without-Pay for the 2nd semester of 1992-93
3. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to grant the following requests for Leave Without Pay for 1992-93 as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Janice Girouard, itinerant adaptive P. E. teacher, for Leave Without Pay for 1992-93.
b. Marilyn Bryan, teacher aide at Lincoln Center, for Leave Without Pay for the remainder of the 1991-92 school year, beginning January 23, 1992.
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to accept the letter of Intent to Retire submitted by Artie Wagner, SFS technician at Glen View Elementary School, as presented by Brenda Theodos, to be effective February 28, 1992.
5. Dr. Gerald Cobb, Superintendent, presented the need and rationale to employ a Supervisor of Secondary Education. In a brief background history, he informed the board that during the past four years, three (3) supervisory positions had been absorbed with job responsibilities being delegated to other supervisory personnel. This action has saved the board approximately $120,000 each year for the past four years. He further indicated that the school system has grown to the extent that we now qualify for an additional central office supervisor, funded by the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). The most pressing need that we have at this time is for a supervisor with the primary responsibility being that of secondary programs.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant the Superintendent permission to advertise for the position of Supervisor of Secondary Education.
A report of the Finance Committee meeting held on March 17 was given by Mr. Allen Tuten, chairman. The committee met to look at the possibilities of additional funding sources, how we might undertake this, the timing and other related details. It was the opinion of the Finance Committee that to assist us and give us direction in the timing of seeking additional funding, they felt we needed to seek assistance by employing a consultant to conduct a survey or poll to determine the pulse of the public as it relates to a possible tax/millage increase.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted to authorize the Superintendent to employ on behalf of the board a consultants to conduct a public opinion survey concerning the proposed tax/millage increase at an approximate cost of up to $8.00 per response for an approximate total cost of $5,000 - $6,000 for 700-800 responses. This is the first action step in beginning this undertaking.
Pam Roy, accountant for Lincoln Parish Schools, gave the sales tax update for March, 1992. The update reflected a 12% or $24,084.69 increase over the same month in 1991.
Following the sales tax update, Ms. Roy gave the financial report for February, 1992. She indicated that fund balances reflect the collection of ad valorem taxes. She also told the board that utility costs have been moved out of the General Fund into Maintenance and Operation.
A report on various workshops held for Lincoln Parish teachers for 1991-92 was given by Mrs. Barbara Kirkland, Supervisor of Federal Programs for Lincoln Parish Schools. General areas of workshops offered are listed as follows:
Louisiana Writing Project Workshops
Elementary Math Inservice Workshops
Using Whole Language in Teaching Literature & Geography Workshop
Grant Writing Workshop
Dwight Eisenhower Math/Science Foundation Workshops
Middle Grades Math and Science Project
Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program
Vocational Education Inservice Workshops
Chapter I Inservice Workshops
Drug Free Schools Inservice Workshops
Following this report, Dr. Cobb informed the board that Barbara Kirkland and Danny Bell do a tremendous job in staff development for the Lincoln Parish School System. Our teachers are actively engaged in trying to improve themselves at a local level with very little cost to the board.
A report from the Sales Tax Advisory Committee was given by Dr. Rice, one of two board members serving as representatives on that Committee. Mr. Allen Tuten is the other board member serving in that capacity. This committee is composed of two representatives from the City of Ruston, two representatives from the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and two representatives from the School Board. Dr. Rice told the board that as a result of some recent legislation sales tax must be collected by parish which necessitates the inclusion into our collection procedure of the Towns of Grambling and Dubach. The proposal that has passed, which was approved by the Police Jury and rejected by the City of Ruston, is that we bring a representative from Grambling and a representative from Dubach into the makeup of the Committee thus enlarging it to include eight members and sharing the charges for expenditures on a pro rata basis.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to adopt the plan approved by the Sales Tax Advisory Committee to add a representative from Grambling and a representative from Dubach to the Advisory Committee and expenses to be shared on a pro rata basis according to collection percentages.
Dr. Rice indicated that a Sales Tax Advisory Committee meeting will be held on April 13 in an attempt to reconcile differences. If the committee cannot collectively agree to a plan, the state will then make the final decision.
A report on summer programs was given by Ron Suggs. He called on Mrs. Earlene Strother, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary School, to report to the board on a program initiated by her to be held at Cypress Springs this summer. She told the board that a math review session is scheduled to be held July 27-31 from 1:00-3:00 each day for 1st-4th graders. Twenty-four students from each grade will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis and these sessions will be staffed by the principal, teachers from Cypress Springs, parents, Dr. Carolyn Talton of La. Tech, and PTC workers, all on a volunteer basis. Parents will provide transportation and must agree that students will attend all sessions and will not present discipline problems. The purpose of this program is to help students maintain their math skills in the summer and to encourage them to become more interested in math.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted to authorize the use of Cypress Springs School building for this summer program on July 27-31, 1992.
Mr. Willie Washington, acting Director of Chapter I, gave an update on a new program being initiated this summer. He indicated that a summer enrichment program will be held at I. A. Lewis. Remedial reading and math will be provided for 30 minutes each day for six weeks to the first 50 Chapter I students who commit to this program.
Mr. Suggs told the board that regular summer school will be held at Ruston High School. The fee is $75 for one-half credit and $125 for a full credit. Driver Education will be offered for $110 per student and each student will receive one-half credit for this course.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve the following fees: $125 per student for a full credit in Summer School, $75 per student for one-credit in Summer School and $110 per student for Driver Education which will give each student one-half credit.
A report on the recently held Louisiana School Boards Association Convention was given by Mr. Jim Kessler and Mr. David Wright. They reported that the meeting was very beneficial as well as challenging. The sessions dealing with centralization of tax collection and the Minimum Foundation Program were of particular interest.
The proposed school calendar for the 1992-93 school year was presented by Dr. Rice, and upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to adopt Option IA as the school calendar for the 1992-93 school year as shown below:
LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
School Calendar for 1992-93
August 20, 1992 School Begins - Parishwide Teacher Workshop
August 21, 1992 Students - 1/2 Day of Classes
August 24, 1992 Full Day Classes
September 7, 1992 Labor Day Holiday
November 3, 1992 Election Day Holiday
November 23-27, 1992 Thanksgiving Holidays
November 30, 1992 Classes Resume
December 21, 1992- Christmas/New Year Holidays
January 1, 1993
January 4, 1993 Classes Resume
January 18, 1993 Mid-Term Break (No Classes)
March 22-26, 1993 Spring Break
March 29, 1993 Classes Resume
April 9-12, 1993 Easter Holidays
April 13, 1993 Classes Resume
June 1, 1993 Last Day of School
Dr. Cobb presented a resolution dealing with proposed mandatory collective bargaining. Following extensive discussion, the board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, voted 9-3 to adopt the resolution stating the board's opposition to mandatory collective bargaining in the public sector, believing it to be detrimental to the orderly and efficient operation of public schools and urging the Governor and Louisiana Legislature to refuse to pass legislation that requires it.
Voting for the adoption of the resolution: Mr. David Wright, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten and Dr. Phil Rice.
Voting against the adoption of the resolution: Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. George Mack and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb called attention to a letter from the U. S. Department of Justice to Mr. Ken Selle of Tri-S Associates which indicated that the 1991 revised redistricting plan was being reviewed and the 60-day review period will end on May 11, 1992.
Comments and observations from board members were heard at this time. Dr. Beasley requested an update on handling discipline cases which involve suspension and expulsion and what due process consists of. She also expressed a concern for students who are expelled from school as it relates to the board's obligation. Dr. Cobb responded by telling the board that in dealing with discipline, we must follow state law and board policy. He further indicated that when a student is expelled, it is the parent's responsibility to take charge. We are exploring some type of alternative program or school for these students but due to a lack of money or discretionary funds, we are unable to offer this type of program now. However, the recently established Saturday Detention Program held at Lincoln Center has been successful, partially addressing this problem according to Mr. Charles Owens.
There being no further business, the board voted to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip F. Rice, President