LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 1, 1992 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 1, 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. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: Mr. Calvin Wilkerson
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Allen Tuten.
Dr. Rice welcomed the guests and members of the staff and media who were present for the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded Mr. Allen Tuten, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the Board held on Tuesday, August 18, 1992.
Special recognition was given to Laura Beasley, winner of the Superintendent's Writing Award in Lincoln Parish. On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Mr. Danny Bell, Supervisor of Elementary Programs, presented Laura with a certificate of appreciation for her outstanding work.
Mr. Randy Moore, principal of Glen View Elementary, speaking on behalf of Mark Fogas of South Central Bell, presented a mini-grant in the amount of $500 to Diane Soper, kindergarten teacher at Glen View. Ms. Soper worked with other kindergarten teachers in writing this grant proposal. This is the second year that Glen View has received this grant.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Marilyn Bryan, special education aide at Lincoln Center, effective August 24, 1992.
2. As points of reference, Mr. Suggs informed the board of the following:
a. Trudy Ireland transferred to Cypress Springs Elementary to replace Mary Ashford, retired
b. Connie White transferred to I. A. Lewis as Chapter I teacher in a new position
c. Carolyn Jones transferred from Special Ed. aide position to Chapter I Computer Lab at Ruston Elementary
3. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted to approve the following teacher/computer aide recommendations as presented by Mr. Suggs:
a. Shirley Scott as teacher in alternative class at Lincoln Center to replace Lenora Miller, retired
b. Jo Carter as teacher at Glen View Elementary to replace Sallie Evans, promoted
c. Stephanie Hinze as P. E. teacher at Glen View Elementary to replace Theodis Johnson, transferred
d. Jennifer Colvin as social studies teacher at Simsboro to replace David Rogers, transferred
e. Cathy Phillips as Chapter I Computer Lab aide at Choudrant Elementary in a new position
f. Brenda Magee as Chapter I Computer Lab aide at Hillcrest in a new position
g. Sharon Marshall as Chapter I Computer Lab aide at Lincoln Center in a new position
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the Curriculum Committee, upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, voted to set Monday, October 19, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. as the date for the Academic Awards Banquet to be held in the Ruston Civic Center.
The Sales Tax report for the month of August, 1992 was given by Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance. Receipts reflect a year to date increase of $9,569. Following the Sales Tax report, he gave the board a financial update for July, 1992. He indicated that a revenue and expenditure schedule as well as a budget comparison will be presented each month using a different format. Basically, the budget comparison will show three funds: General Fund, Five Mill Maintenance and 1979 Sales Tax. Mr. Garrett further indicated that revenues and expenditures were progressing as budgeted and as anticipated at this point.
Mrs. Sharon Thomas, Supervisor of Special Education, came before the board to report on the Special Education Extended School Year Program (ESYP). She told the board that all school systems are monitored for compliance, according to very detailed procedures. Systems are required to meet the 90% compliance score and Lincoln Parish received a compliance score of 97% on ESYP eligibility determination. This excellent score reflects the hard work and dedication of our highly qualified special education teachers and personnel.
Following that report, Dr. Cobb complimented Mrs. Thomas on the excellent leadership she provides for the Lincoln Parish Special Education Program.
A report on the opening of school was given by Ron Suggs. He indicated that this year's opening went very smoothly. Thus far, enrollment figures reflect a total of 7,180 students and as of October 1, 1992, we should show approximately 7,200 students enrolled. Mr. Suggs commended the principals for their leadership in this excellent beginning of school.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerald Cobb, spoke to the board regarding the sales tax/millage review committee meetings held recently to provide informational data and to receive input relative to the proposed sales tax/millage increase. He indicated that three (3) excellent and informative meetings have been held. Information regarding the issue was well received and valid questions were asked. Several board members offered comments on the meetings. Their comments reflected that the meetings were set up in a very professional manner and were positive in nature with well prepared documentation distributed. Providing the facts will make difference in the outcome was the opinion offered by Mr. Tuten.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted 11-0 by roll call vote to adopt the resolution levying millage on the 1992 Tax Roll for Lincoln Parish as shown below.
Voting for: Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten and Dr. Phil Rice.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Calvin Wilkerson
LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
1992 Proposed Tax Millages
1992
1991 PROPOSED
MILLAGES MILLAGES
Ruston School District #1 23.50 Mills 23.50 Mills
Simsboro School District #3 31.50 Mills 22.00 Mills
Choudrant School District #6 62.00 Mills 62.00 Mills
Parishwide Special Maintenance &
Operation Tax 5.22 Mills 5.10 Mills
Parishwide Constitutional Tax 5.06 Mills 4.95 Mills
Parishwide Special Repair and
Equipment Tax 5.22 Mills 5.10 Mills
Ruston School District #1 -
Maintenance & Operation 3.09 Mills 3.05 Mills
Simsboro School District #3
Maintenance & Operation 3.14 Mills 2.98 Mills
Dubach School District #5
Maintenance & Operation 3.00 Mills 2.86 Mills
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb reported on the following items:
1. Response has been received from Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) regarding our application for the School Board Strategic Planning: Vision - Mission - Goals facilitation services being offered. CABL plans to work with 4-5 school districts in 1992 and another 4-5 in 1993. Dr. Cobb told the board that selection of the 1992 districts will be done by early September and we will be notified.
2. Attention was called to a letter from Rev. C. L. Oliver, pastor of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, thanking the board for the opportunity to help at-risk children in Lincoln Parish and the Ruston area.
3. A schedule of all available Lincoln Parish School Open Houses was distributed and board members were encouraged to attend as many as possible.
Following comments and observations of board members, Richie Garrett told the board that copies of the tentative 1992 budget were available.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Phillip F. Rice, President