LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 1, 1992 6:15 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 1, 1992 at 6:15 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, president; Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, and Mr. Paul Woodard.
Absent: Mr. Allen Tuten
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Andy Shealy.
Dr. Rice welcomed the guests and members of the staff and media who were present.
Mr. James Pilgreen, principal of Hico Elementary School, introduced Heather Knighten, a fifth grade student who was present to lead the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Pilgreen told the board that Heather was an honor roll student at Hico School. Following the pledge, Dr. Cobb, on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, presented Heather with a certificate of appreciation for leading the pledge.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 10, 1992, as distributed.
The Finance Committee met just prior to the meeting of the board and the following report was given by Mr. David Wright, acting chairman in the absence of Mr. Allen Tuten, chairman. Mr. Wright asked Richie Garrett to present the information that was addressed by the committee:
Mr. Garrett indicated that the Finance Committee's recommendation to the board was the implementation of an IRS mandated program giving a tax credit which must be used to purchase health insurance for qualifying individuals. Qualification is based on an income factor and the purpose is to aid individuals in purchasing health insurance that they could not otherwise afford. It was the recommendation of the Finance Committee to approve participation in the program; thereby, enabling lower income employees to purchase health insurance for qualifying individuals with a tax credit. The Insurance Committee met earlier and asked interested companies to submit bids to administer this program. Ron McNabb Company submitted the only proposal to administer the tax credit program for health insurance.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted to enter into the IRS mandated program which would give tax credit for the purpose of purchasing health insurance for qualifying persons, with Ron McNabb Company administering the program.
A report on sales tax receipts for November, 1992 was given by Richie Garrett. Collections for November, 1992 were at $202,945.19 and reflected a slight increase over November, 1991.
A financial update was presented for October 1992. Mr. Garrett reviewed the financial statement and budget comparison.
Mr. Danny Bell, Supervisor of Elementary Programs, told the board that a recent state evaluation of the Alternative Program at I. A. Lewis School resulted in very complimentary remarks regarding Mr. Ben Green, teacher in this program, as well as the overall program. This is the third year of the Alternative Program for at-risk students. This program is funded with 8(g) block grant funds received from the state. One class consisting of 15 students is participating in the program. The board expressed their appreciation to Mr. Green for his outstanding actions in the classroom, resulting in this very positive evaluation.
Dr. Cobb spoke to the board regarding Lincoln Parish School Board participating, along with 28 other systems in the state, in the Minimum Foundation Program litigation against the state. Last year, this was discussed and the board decided to take a wait and see approach. Since that time, additional inequities regarding distribution of monies have surfaced. The cost to the board of participating in this suit is $1.00 per student, based on attendance as of October 1. It was pointed out that at any time we so desire we can remove ourselves from the suit.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, voted by roll call vote, to enter into litigation with 28 other parishes seeking to obtain a more equitable formula for a minimum foundation of education in all public elementary and secondary schools.
Voting for the motion: Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, and Dr. Phil Rice.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Allen Tuten
Consideration of the adoption of a resolution dealing with unfair financial treatment and intimidation of self-insured hospitalization systems was the next item to be addressed by the board. Dr. Cobb informed the board that legislation has passed that requires us to report to the State Employees Group Benefit Program, even though we are not a part of it. Secondly, the state over the past two years has put $75 million into State Employees Group Benefit Program. None of the 26 systems with self-funded programs received any of this money. This was done to prevent the state group from charging exorbitant premiums for the employees of the system. By law, we should have received an equal share of these funds. Dr. Cobb pointed out that our current self-funded program is the best benefit we have. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board, upon the Superintendent's recommendation, voted to adopt the resolution calling for the Louisiana School Boards Association to provide the leadership to sponsor legislation, initiate legal action, or take any other actions necessary to reverse the current trend and to insure equity for the 26 school systems not receiving their proportionate share of state funding.
Dr. Rice called attention to the listing of proposed members of the newly activated bi-racial committee. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to approve the list as distributed. Following adoption of this list, a brief discussion was held. Dr. Gary Stokley will serve as convening chairman to activate the group.
Present at the board meeting was a group of concerned parents and citizens. They asked to be allowed to speak, even though they were not on the agenda, and by mutual consent, the board agreed to allow them to speak, with Mr. Gardner Clark serving as spokesperson. Following Mr. Gardner's remarks, the board agreed that the Bi-Racial Committee was the best place to begin hearing and trying to solve some of these concerns.
There being no further business, the board voted to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip F. Rice, President