LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, December 16, 1992 12:00 Noon
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, December 16, 1992 at 12 o'clock noon at Glen View Elementary School. Members present were: Dr. Phil Rice, Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Members absent: Mr. George Mack, Mr. Jim Kessler and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Allen Tuten.
Dr. Rice welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present.
Mr. Randy Moore, principal of Glen View Elementary, introduced Crystal Harris, a fifth grade student at Glen View, who led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Moore told the board of Crystal's success at school this year, both academically and as a good citizen. Following the pledge, Dr. Cobb presented her with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to approve the minutes of the regular session of the board held on December 1, 1992, as distributed to members of the board.
Mr. Randy Moore, principal of Glen View Elementary, addressed the board at this time and welcomed members to Glen View School. He gave a brief overview of the structure of Glen View Elementary. Mr. Moore indicated that the focus of the school is very clear. The focus is on the child, to give the student the very best education possible in a safe, happy and productive environment.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed, as presented by Ron Suggs:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to approve the resignation of the following teacher and aide:
a. Brenda Crank as teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, effective January 15, 1993
b. Leonard Turner as special ed. aide at I. A. Lewis, effective December 1, 1992
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve granting leave without pay for Sandra Powell, teacher at Simsboro Elementary School, effective January 19, 1993, extending through the remainder of the 1992-93 school year.
3. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to employ the following teacher/aides:
a. Ronda Roberts as teacher at Simsboro Elementary, effective January 19, 1993
b. Kathleen Miller as itinerant speech therapist, effective November 30, 1992
c. Bruce Leonard Roebuck as teacher aide at I. A. Lewis, effective November 30, 1992
Dr. Gary Stokley, chairman of the newly reorganized Bi-Racial Committee, was present and presented a brief report from that committee. He indicated that the committee had met two times thus far. The first meeting was for the purpose of organization. Officers were elected and an agenda was scheduled. At the second meeting, two presentations were addressed: dress code at Ruston Jr. High School and racial concerns at Ruston High School. Out of the discussion surrounding these presentations, two committees were formed. One to examine school board policy relating to dress code in the parish schools and the other to look at sensitivity workshops. These two subcommittees will report back to the Bi-Racial Committee at their next meeting to be held on Monday, January 11, 1993. Dr. Stokley indicated that he felt confident that the individuals serving on the committee are doing so with sincere motives.
Dr. Cobb told the board that he wanted the committee to be sure that an avenue of response was made available to all individuals/parties discussed in these meetings.
A report from the Insurance Committee meeting held on December 8 was given by Pam Roy. At that time a proposal was heard from George Williams with Capitol American asking to have this company placed on payroll deduction. As there is no clear cut board policy, it was the recommendation of the Insurance Committee that this company be placed on payroll deduction provided they have at least 53 signed payroll deductions forms or 7% of total employees. However, it was emphasized to Mr. Williams that this would only be a recommendation to the board and the board was the one to make the final decision to grant this recommendation from the Insurance Committee. Following a lengthy discussion, during which time it was pointed that numerous payroll deductions created a great hardship on the payroll department, plus the disruptive factor of allowing all insurance representatives access to school personnel during the school day. After additional discussion, and upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted unanimously to table the recommendation of the Insurance Committee to allow this payroll deduction and to conduct an in-depth study of current insurance payroll deductions now in existence and report back to the board with this information and the board will look at establishing a policy regarding access to payroll deduction.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to adopt, for inclusion in the Lincoln Parish Policy Manual, policy IHC entitled "Class Rankings."
Dr. Cobb called the board's attention to a letter received recently from Jesuit High School in New Orleans, commending Ruston High School for the manner in which all involved conducted themselves during the recent athletic play-offs. He indicated that this was seen by Jesuit as a tribute to the outstanding leadership being shown in the educational field by Ruston High School. Dr. Cobb and members of the board expressed their pride and appreciation in Ruston High School and its leadership.
There being no further business, the board adjourned at 12:40 p.m. and enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the staff of Glen View Elementary cafeteria.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip F. Rice, President