LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 7, 1992 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 7, 1992 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, LA. Members present were: Dr. Phil Rice, Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, and Mr. Paul Woodard.
Absent: Mr. Jim Kessler and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Barfield.
Rice welcomed the press and members of the staff and media who were present.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board approved the minutes of the Regular Session of June 2, 1992.
Charles Scriber, Supervisor of Secondary Education, gave the board an overview of the revised Pupil Progression Plan which is a mandated document. He summarized the changes which have been made in the document, and, after this presentation, a discussion followed involving board member participation in hearings and the legality of this involvement. It was pointed out that participation at the school level would not present a problem but participation at a formal hearing or appeal might do so. Several members of the board suggested that a ruling be requested.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant permission to submit the revised Pupil Progression Plan to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, as presented by Charles Scriber.
The report of the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday, July 6 was given by Dr. Phil Rice in the absence of chairman, Mr. Allen Tuten. The following items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted to adopt the following schedule for the 1992-93 budget procedures as required by law and presented by Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance:
Presentation of Budget as required by Revised Statutes 39:1301 Through 39:1314
July 7, 1992 Presentation of Proposed 1992-93 Budget for the General and Special Revenue Funds
Board Action Required
1. Authorization to publish General Summary Budget in Ruston Leader on July 13, 1992 and notice that the Proposed 1992-93 Budget is available for public inspection from July 15, 1992 to August 4, 1992 at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
2. Authorization to publish a notice in the Ruston Leader on July 13, 1992, that a presentation of the Proposed 1992-93 Budget at a public hearing at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana on August 4, 1992 at 6:00 p.m.
July 13, 1992 -Publish a General Summary Budget in the Ruston Leader along August 4, 1992 with notice of public inspection July 15, 1992 and public hearing
August 4, 1992-Presentation of Proposed Budget at public hearing at School Board meeting at 6:00 p.m.
August 4, 1992 - Adoption of Proposed Budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1992 and ending June 30, 1993.
2. Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance, presented the proposed 1992-93 budget for the General and Special Revenue Funds. He indicated that this year there was a significant deficit, but due to actual cuts in the amount of $700,664, the budget presented to the board was balanced. He informed the board that cuts had been made which would not hurt our students. Mr. Garrett indicated that increasing mandated costs were causing additional hardships.
The budget was presented for the board's review and study and will be presented on August 4, 1992 at a Public Hearing after which it would be considered for adoption by the board. Mr. Garrett indicated that in the future, the board will be kept informed on a more frequent basis.
3. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee and Mr. Garrett, voted to grant permission for the salary supplement/13th check to be paid on July 15 instead of June 30, beginning in 1993. This action would allow the payroll department more time in preparing these checks as well as opportunity to zero out the sales tax account.
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 Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to grant the following requests for leave without pay as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Debra Edwards Minnifield, special education teacher at I. A. Lewis, granted leave without pay for the first semester of 1992-93
b. Judy Mabry, Chapter I Director, granted extension of leave without pay from July 1 - August 3, 1992, at which time she will either resign or retire from the Lincoln Parish School System, effective on that date.
c. Margaret Colvin, special education teacher at Ruston High School, granted leave without pay for 1992-93
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, the board voted to grant the request submitted by Vicki Allen, half-time music teacher at Choudrant Elementary, for Sabbatical Leave for the first semester of 1992-93, as presented by Ron Suggs.
3. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to accept the letters of Intent to Resign submitted by the following personnel as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Gwen Collier as special education teacher at Hico Elementary effective June 2, 1992
b. Jennifer Terrell as teacher at Hico Elementary effective June 2, 1992
c. James Barker as social studies teacher at Ruston High School effective August 1, 1992
d. James Meadors as science teacher/coach at Ruston High School effective June 11, 1992
e. Linda Meadors as secretary at Ruston High School effective June 11, 1992
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to accept the letter of resignation/retirement submitted by Judy Mabry, Chapter I Director, effective August 3, 1992 and presented by Ron Suggs.
5. At this point, Dr. Cobb requested permission to advertise for Chapter I Supervisor and upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for Chapter I Supervisor, beginning July 8 through July 21, 1992.
6. As points of reference, Mr. Suggs informed the board of the following faculty transfers:
a. Alexa Ginn, special education teacher at Hico Elementary, to replace Gwen Collier, resigned
b. Jane Rice, elementary teacher at I. A. Lewis, to replace Joyce Wooldridge, retired
c. Mary Hyatt, kindergarten teacher at Ruston Elementary, to replace Miriam Savage, retired.
d. Lisa Boggs, teacher at Ruston Elementary, to replace Sara Campbell, retired
e. Amy Clark as teacher at Ruston Elementary in a new position
f. Elaine Gaudet as teacher at Simsboro Elementary in a new position.
These transfers will be effective August 20, 1992.
7. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to employ the following teaching personnel as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Craig Foster as English teacher at Dubach High to replace Alpha Jones, retired, to be effective August 20, 1992
b. Mary Cato as elementary teacher at Hico to replace Jennifer Terrell, resigned, to be effective August 20, 1992
c. Betty Price as half-time librarian at Hillcrest to replace Bonnie Tassin, resigned, to be effective August 20, 1992
d. Julie Holmes as teacher at Ruston Elementary to replace Barbara Norris, retired, to be effective August 20, 1992
e. Geoffrey McCracken as social studies/coach at Ruston High to replace David Gough, resigned, to be effective August 20, 1992
f. Brenda Crank as elementary teacher at Cypress Springs to replace Jeanette Many, leave without pay, to be effective August 20, 1992
g. Theodis Johnson as P. E. teacher at Glen View to replace Earnestine Bennett-Johnson, resigned, to be effective August 20, 1992
h. Laureen Jordan as special education itinerant teacher to replace Alexa Ginn, transferred, to be effective August 20, 1992
8. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Jeff Camp, bus driver for special education, to be effective June 2, 1992, as presented by Richard Hinton.
9. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann Boyd, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to employ Max Barrett as bus driver in the Ruston District to replace Jeff Camp, resigned, to be effective August 20, 1992, as presented by Richard Hinton.
Mr. Garrett gave the Sales Tax report for the month ending June, 1992 and a recap of the year's collections. He told the board that a total of $750,000 was available to be disbursed as the salary supplement/13th check. Based on this amount, certified personnel received $1,140 and non-certified personnel received $570.
The Financial Update for May, 1992 was presented at this time. Mr. Garrett indicated that basically, the cash & investment report is to show that we are trying to get maximum benefit for our funds by investing in either certificates of deposit or interest bearing checking accounts. He gave the status of all fund balances.
Mrs. Barbara Kirkland, Supervisor of Federal Programs for Lincoln Parish Schools, told the board that we have a variety of business programs being taught in Lincoln Parish Schools. She called the board's attention to two of these programs--Cooperative Office Education (COE) and Trade and Industrial Cooperative Education (TICE) after which she recognized Mrs. Ruby Moore, head of the business department at Ruston High School. Following her introduction to the board, Mrs. Moore gave a very informative and interesting presentation as she gave an overview of the history of the COE program at Ruston High School. She told of the procedure used to select participants for the program and how they were placed in work sites and the benefits they received. The board expressed their interest and appreciation in being informed about the COE Program and asked to hear more about TICE in the future. Following this presentation, Dr. Cobb was presented with a twenty year plaque in appreciation of the Lincoln Parish School Board's years of participation in the COE Program.
Dr. Rice gave a report on the budget for the sales tax department. He told the board that the budget would increase approximately $8,000 and explained where this would be spent. The board's share of this budget, based on a pro rata basis, is one-third or approximately $27,000. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve the budget for the sales tax department as presented by Dr. Rice.
A report on test scores for the 1991-92 school year was given by Ron Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Lincoln Parish Schools. He indicated that our teachers and principals do an excellent job in preparing all of our students for testing. Test Scores are used as a comparison basis with other parishes throughout the state and in the nation and as a diagnostic tool to determine where we need to look at our curriculum. Mr. Suggs gave a comparison report on CAT test scores. Our students continue to rank well above the 50th percentile (national average) in every grade tested as well as above average on the state level. On the LEAP test, we continue to be above state average. This test indicates that we need to place emphasis next year on the math, program at the junior high and high school level. Mr. Suggs reported that the Exit Exam has been given for the past two years in Louisiana. Students must pass all parts of this exam before they are awarded a high school diploma. Lincoln Parish is one of four (4) parishes in the State of Louisiana that has not had a senior to fail a part of the graduating Exit Exam.
The Lincoln Parish Administrators' Workshop will be held July 20-23 with the primary goal being to set goals and make plans for the upcoming school years with principals and supervisors.
A report on Summer School and Driver Education was given by Ron Suggs. He indicated that Summer School was under the direction of Tommy Hay with 3 teachers and approximately 85-90 students participating. Driver Education has six teachers with 160 students. Also underway is a Chapter I enrichment program at I. A. Lewis School, serving approximately 105 students.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to adopt the following resolution commending teachers and administrators on the outstanding test scores:
R E S 0 L U T I 0 N
WHEREAS, Lincoln Parish public school teachers, principals, and students are working more effectively than ever before, achieving dramatic gains in scores on the state LEAP Test. the national California Achievement Test, and gaining recognition for outstanding achievement for our school system; and
WHEREAS, this academic achievement has been accomplished because of an outstanding faculty, school leadership, and student effort, and
WHEREAS, these personnel of the Lincoln Parish School System work diligently to meet the needs of our students and state; and
WHEREAS, the core of any good instructional program takes place in the classroom and at the school site.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Lincoln Parish School Board expresses its appreciation to the faculties, administration, and students of the Lincoln Parish Public School System for their outstanding academic achievements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be sent to each teacher in the Lincoln Parish Public School System and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Mrs. Brenda Theodos reviewed the bids received for School Food Service supplies for the 1992-93 school year and the following action was taken:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley the board voted to accept the bid submitted by Decell Tom's Sales for corn chips, potato chips and round tortilla chips in the amount of $1.48 for 16 ounces.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Ms. Ann Boyd, the board voted to accept the bid submitted by Holsum for bread and buns for the 1992-93 school year.
3. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to accept the bids submitted by Bordens, Blue Bell, and Kokinos for various items.
A copy of the newly compiled transportation handbook was presented to the board by Richard Hinton. He asked board members to study the handbook and it will be considered for approval at the August 4 board meeting.
Mrs. Loyace Braggs called the board's attention to the North Louisiana Reading Council's 35th Reading Conference and invited board members to attend.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip F. Rice, President