LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, March 2, 1993 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 2, 1993 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. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: Mr. Jim Kessler
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. David Wright.
Mr. Harry Jones, principal of Simsboro School, introduced Ronald Darnall, fifth grade student at Simsboro, who was present to lead the board in the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Jones told the board that Ronald has been a member of the Alpha Beta Club every 6-weeks this year, maintaining at least a three point or above grade point average. He was also chosen as Simsboro's student of the year for the fifth grade and has been involved in Boys' Scouts as well as other extra curricular activities. On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Dr. Cobb presented Ronald with a certificate of appreciation for his attendance at the meeting.
Special recognition was then given to Cara Hanchey, a senior at Ruston High School, who was recently named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Mr. Fred Higginbotham, principal of Ruston High School, was asked to make this presentation. He told the board that Ruston High School has participated in this program since 1959 and has had at least one student recognized in some category every year with the exception of one during that period of time. The great majority of schools across the country have never had a single student recognized. To date, Ruston High School has had 124 students recognized in some category of this program. Mr. Higginbotham told members of the board that Cara Hanchey, this year's National Merit Scholarship winner, has a grade point average of 4.76 and ranks second in a class of 275 students. On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Dr. Cobb presented Cara with a plaque in appreciation for her outstanding performance at Ruston High School in being named a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
Dr. Rice welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present for the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the board held on February 17, 1993.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for bid items to be purchased for the School Food Service Program for 1993-94, as presented by Brenda Theodos. This is requested on a yearly basis in order to be in compliance with the state bid law.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wayne Barfield, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for building materials for a portable building at Hico Elementary School, as presented by Charles Owens. Hico is in need of additional classroom space as a result of increased student numbers. The proposed 3-unit portable building will satisfy the need for additional classrooms as well as provide for library space.
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 principal/teacher resignations, as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Fred Higginbotham as principal of Ruston High School, effective June 30, 1993
b. Ann Clouatre as Special Education teacher at Glen View Elementary, effective February 26, 1993
c. Patricia Naylor as elementary teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, effective February 28, 1993
2. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted to accept the letter of intent to retire submitted by Beatrice Gaulden, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective June 2, 1993, as presented by Ron Suggs.
3. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. Allen Tuten, the board voted to approve the request for Sabbatical Leave for the 1993-94 school year submitted by Pam Willis, teacher at Ruston Elementary School, as presented by Ron Suggs.
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve employing Leigh Taylor as Special Education teacher at Glen View Elementary, effective March 1, 1993, as presented by Ron Suggs.
5. An addendum to the Personnel Committee agenda was presented at this time and upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted to grant an emergency Sabbatical Leave to Laura Frazier, elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, effective February 22, 1993 and extending through the remainder of this school year, as presented by Ron Suggs.
6. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Allen Tuten, the board voted to accept the resignation submitted by John Brantley, custodian at Ruston High School, effective February 5, 1993, as presented by Charles Owens.
7. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted to grant permission to advertise for the position of principal at Ruston High School, as requested by Dr. Cobb and according to the following timeliness
March 3, 1993: Open application period
March 26, 1993: Close application period
March 29, 1993: Open interview process
April 2, 1993: Close interview process
April 6, 1993: Present recommendation to the Board
Dr. Gary Stokley, chairman of the newly reorganized Bi-Racial Committee, gave an update on that committee's work. He indicated that subcommittees are now in place and have followed up on some of the concerns expressed. Dr. Stokley also indicated that the committee had recommended that some form of educational awareness program and sensitivity workshops be provided for teachers and staff members in the parish system. An active subcommittee is at this time making contacts and researching for materials to be used. Dr. Stokley expressed his appreciation for the excellent members of the Bi-Racial Committee. He indicated that this is a very workable committee and communication lines are open. Following this report, discussion was heard from various members of the board.
Ron Suggs reported to the board on the assemblies recently held at Ruston High School and Ruston Jr. High School by Motivational Media Assemblies. These assemblies were entitled, Harmony. Some points highlighted in the program was learning the value of acceptance and concern for others, peaceful conflict resolution, and building unity. Lincoln Parish Drug Free Program and Taco Bell co-sponsored these assemblies in sharing the cost. Student comments concerning this program were very positive.
A report on Chapter I Test Preparation Workshop was presented to the board by Sallie Evans, Parental Involvement Coordinator. Mrs. Evans indicated that this is a parishwide effort sponsored by the Lincoln Parish Chapter I Parental Involvement Program to be held on March 9 and March 11. The purpose of the workshop is to help bridge the gap between the home and school by sharing with others that the parental involvement program is in operation on a daily basis, and informing parents with children in Chapter I (grades K-6) that the test preparation program is available to them and encourage their participation. Mrs. Evans asked for continued board support of the overall Parental Involvement Program.
A report on Sales Tax receipts for February, 1993 reflected an increase of $31,099.95 or about 16% over this month last year, as reported by Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance for Lincoln Parish Schools. This is the largest increase thus far this year and brings the total amount of increase to $50,717.98 or about 2% over last year.
A financial update for January, 1993 showed that all fund balances are in excellent shape due to recently collected ad valorem taxes, as reported by Richie Garrett.
Pam Roy, accountant for Lincoln Parish School Board, gave a report on the benefit survey requested by the board to determine whether the board should continue to offer programs that are currently on payroll deduction and also to determine if additional programs should be offered. Ms. Roy told the board that a survey was conducted of several of the surrounding parishes to see what other systems are doing. Of the parishes surveyed, it was discovered that most allow only one payroll deduction per type of insurance. The general consensus seemed to be that the less confusion for the employees the better. Most have insurance committees that review policies periodically and make recommendations to the board. Some systems have policies that require a certain number of participants before payroll deduction is given. It was the recommendation of the accounting department of Lincoln Parish School Board that current payroll deductions be left in place and that the board adopt a policy to address this area.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Allen Tuten, the board voted to adopt the following policy entitled, Salary Deductions, as amended:
SALARY DEDUCTIONS
The Board maintains that salary deductions which are considered statutory, including federal income tax, state income tax, retirement, etc., shall be deducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Any voluntary deductions desired by employees may be authorized by the Superintendent or the Board, when such action is determined to be in the best interest of the school system. Said request shall be submitted in writing by the employee. The employee shall also sign a form authorizing said salary deduction and verifying knowledge of all regulations governing salary deductions. The Board does not assume any liability for compliance with governing requirements and regulations.
The School Board, no later than the following school year, shall deduct and withhold from any employees earnings a specific amount for the payment of regular dues to any organization so designated by the employee. Before any deduction is made, however, fifty or more teachers or employees or ten (10%) of the total number of employees, whichever is less, shall have specifically requested and voluntarily authorized the deduction in writing. Any amount shall be remitted to the organization designated on a regularly scheduled basis as determined by the Board.
The Board shall only be responsible for making approved salary deductions as requested in writing by any employee of the Board. Under no circumstances shall special arrangements be made as to the commencement or transaction of salary deductions.
The School Board shall authorize the payroll deduction for an agent that acquires 7% of the total number of employees who desire a particular tax sheltered annuity. The employee must sign an authorization for payroll deduction and it must be submitted by the agent at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the deduction. For the deduction to continue, 7% of the total number of employees shall be enrolled as of January 1 of each year.
For all categories of supplemental insurance and other employee benefits (i.e. insurance contracts that would be paid for in full by the employee,) other than tax sheltered annuities which might be authorized and approved by the Board, the Board shall select one (1) carrier through a competitive process for each such category to be placed on payroll deduction. Only those approved categories and carriers will be allowed payroll deduction status. All board approved categories and carriers of insurance coverage or other employee benefits will be reviewed by the Insurance Committee every three (3) years or earlier when deemed necessary. Following the review process, the committee will present its recommendations to the board for final action.
The board, at an earlier date, had been invited to become a member of the Geographic Information System (GIS) by Mayor Hilda Perritt. As instructed by the Finance Committee and members of the board, the central office studied the advantages of participation by the Lincoln Parish School Board in this program as proposed by Mayor Perritt. It was the unanimous decision of the study committee that the benefits of this program to the Lincoln Parish School System could not justify the expenditure of funds necessary to join and sustain participation in the GIS program. Therefore, it was the feeling of the board that they should decline to join the GIS program at this time.
Dr. Rice asked the Executive Committee to begin reviewing the contract of the Superintendent and report back to the board at the next meeting. Members of that committee are Mr. David Wright, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Andy Shealy.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb talked about the following items:
1. He called the board's attention to a recent article stating the State Group Benefits Program is 47,000 claims behind in processing and also at least $100 million in debt. He pointed out that these are the people that would like to bring the Lincoln Parish School System back into their health insurance system.
2. The parish spelling bee will be held on Friday, March 19 at Wyly Tower.
3. A brief update on the new Minimum Foundation Program and its inequities was presented by the Superintendent.
4. The Louisiana Reading Association will meet at the Civic Center on March 16, 1993 at 7:00 with an excellent speaker, Dr. Roger Farr.
Following the report by Dr. Cobb, questions were asked regarding the status of the Saturday Detention Program. Mr. Mack asked that a report be given on this program at the next board meeting. After additional comments and observations by members of the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip K. Rice, President