LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 3, 1993 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 3, 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, president, Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George black, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent- None
Dr. Phil Rice, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Paul Woodard.
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. Andy Shealy, the Board approved the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 6, 1993 as distributed.
Mr. Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance for Lincoln Parish Schools, announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing for the proposed 1993-94 budget. Opportunity was given for anyone present in the meeting to express comments or ask questions regarding the budget There were no comments or questions concerning the proposed budget.
At this time, the possibility of refinancing General Obligation School Bonds for Choudrant School District #6 and Simsboro School District #3 was presented by Richie Garrett. He told the board that it was a good time to refinance due to the current low interest rates. An analysis of the anticipated savings showed that in the Simsboro District the expected savings would be $127,285 and in the Choudrant District the expected savings would be $106,680.
Upon a motion by Mr. James R. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt a resolution authorizing Mr. David Wolf, bonding attorney with Foley and Judell, to proceed with the bond refinancing.
Voting for the motion: Mr. David Wright, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. James R. Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten and Dr. Phil Rice.
Voting against the motion: None
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids for library books for all Lincoln Parish Schools for 1993-94 with an option for 1994-95, as presented by Dr. Charles Scriber.
The Building and Grounds Committee met on Monday, August 2, 1993 at 3:15 and Mr. George Mack, chairman, presented the report from that meeting.
He indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to address Acts 480 and 698 of the 1992 Louisiana Legislature prohibiting smoking in educational facilities and on school property. All Lincoln Parish principals were present at the meeting and when questioned by the committee about their school's compliance with these acts, they indicated that they were in compliance. Mr. Mack further indicated that since Lincoln Parish Schools are in compliance, no action was required and the committee had no recommendation to present to the full board.
The Personnel Committee met on Monday, August 2, 1993 and Mr. Andy Shealy, chairman, reported to the board as follows:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Robert Summerlin as Administrative Assistant at Ruston Jr. High School.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to approve the appointment of the five following coordinating teachers at the designated schools. It was pointed out that these are one (1) year appointments.
a. Bettye Anders Cypress Springs Elem.
b. Debi Hauser Glen View Elementary
c. Eric Carter Hillcrest Elementary
d. Mary Null I. A. Lewis
c. Faye Kavanaugh Ruston Elementary
3. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Oscar Epps as counselor at I. A. Lewis/Lincoln Center.
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to approve the appointment of the following full-time elementary coordinating teachers/librarians in the outlying schools:
a. Diana Humphries - Simsboro
b. Jeanette Crouch - Choudrant Elementary
c. Vicky Key - Hico Elementary
5. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to accept the following letters of intent to retire:
a. Bobbie Golden retiring as Special Ed. teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective July 19, 1993
b. Marion Ezell retiring as French teacher at Ruston High School, effective July 19, 1993
6. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to accept the following faculty resignations.
a. Patsy McBride as elementary teacher at Cypress Springs, effective July 9, 1993
b. Daphne Knighten as elementary teacher at Glen View, effective August 2, 1993
c. Valerie Ludley as Chapter I teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective July 20, 1993
d. Sidney Price as elementary teacher at I. A. Lewis, effective July 22, 1993
e. Roderick Wright as P. E. instructor at I. A. Lewis, effective July 6, 1993
f. Beverly Garner as teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 19, 1993
g. Amy Gunsallus as teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective July 19, 1993
h. Martha Andrus as science teacher at Ruston High School, effective July 23, 1993
7. The following points of reference regarding transfers were given to the board by Mr. Shealy:
a. Kathy League, elementary teacher, transferring from Simsboro to Ruston Elementary replacing Jennifer Huddleston, resigned
b. Ben Green, elementary teacher, transferring from I. A. Lewis (8g) to I. A. Lewis (Reg. Ed), replacing Sidney Price, resigned
c. George Stone, P. E. instructor, transferring from Ruston High School to I. A. Lewis, replacing Roderick Wright, resigned
d. Mary Hanchey, music instructor, transferring from 1/2 time at Simsboro to Itinerant Ruston in a new position
e. Vickie Wheelis, elementary teacher, transferring from Simsboro to Ruston Elementary, replacing Faye Kavanaugh, transferred
f. Millie Hooper, elementary teacher, transferring from Cypress Springs to Choudrant Elementary, replacing Jeanette Crouch, transferred
g. Brenda Carr, Chapter I teacher, transferring from Cypress Springs to Glen View Elementary, replacing Mary Helen Moss, retired
h. Renee Simpson, Chapter I teacher, transferring from Glen View to Simsboro, replacing Virgie Jackson, transferred
i. Virgie Jackson, Chapter I teacher, transferring from Simsboro to Glen View Elementary, replacing Renee Simpson, transferred
j. Cynthia McMurry, Chapter I teacher, transferring from Lincoln Center to Hillcrest, replacing Valerie Ludley, resigned
k. Connie White, Chapter I teacher, transferring from I. A. Lewis to Lincoln Center, replacing Cynthia McMurry, transferred
l. Vicki Allen, music instructor, added as half-time at Simsboro and already serving as half-time at Choudrant, replacing Mary Hanchey, transferred
m. Vanessa Wilson, Chapter I aide, transferring from Ruston Jr. High to Cypress Springs in a new position
These transfers will all become effective on August 20, 1993.
8. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Allen Tuten, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to accept the following faculty recommendations:
a. Karen Newsom, Special Ed. teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Bobbie Golden, retired
b. Anna Belle Nihart, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Catherine Smith who is on Sabbatical Leave for the 1993-94 year
c. Doris Bacon, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, replacing Patsy McBride, resigned
d. Marita Crowder, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary, replacing Tiffany Dunbar, resigned
e. Annabelle Doughty, business teacher at Dubach High, replacing, Carolyn Peace who is on a half-year Sabbatical Leave in 1993-94
f. Samuel Walton, vocational agriculture teacher at Dubach, replacing Track Kavanaugh, who is on Sabbatical Leave in 1993-94
g. Julie Jones, P. E. teacher at Glen View Elementary, replacing Stephanie Hinze, resigned
h. Sally Landry, teacher at Hico Elementary, replacing Vicky Key, transferred
i. Angela Mitchell, Special Education teacher at Hico Elementary, in a new position
j. Cynthia Kranz, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Eric Carter, transferred
k. Jill Tatum, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Sally Leachman, retired
l. Sandra Stokley, librarian at I. A. Lewis/Lincoln Center, replacing Dawn Pinkston, transferred
m. Roselyn Henry, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center in a new position
n. Linda Johnson, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center, replacing Ben Green, transferred
o. Mildred Livingston, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center in a new position
p. Suzy Holstead, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Beverly Garner, resigned
q. Sheila Miller, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Beatrice Gaulden, retired
r Lori Golden, English teacher at Ruston High in a new position
s. Roger Haynes, half/time P. E. teacher at Ruston High School, replacing Beverly Radford, resigned
t. Joe Meeks, social studies/coach at Ruston High School, replacing George Stone, transferred
u. Mandy Bain, math teacher at Ruston Jr. High, replacing Tammy Carlisle, resigned
v. Beth Germany, P. E./Coach at Ruston Jr. High School, replacing Cora Brown, retired
w. Jennifer Daulton, English teacher at Simsboro, replacing Roxann Fallin who is on Sabbatical Leave for 1993-94
x. Nancy Giesse, Special Education teacher at Simsboro in a new position
y. Michelle Jennings, elementary teacher at Simsboro, replacing Tamara Vallery,resigned
z. Amanda Simmons, Home Ec. teacher at Simsboro, replacing Miranda Parnell, who is on Sabbatical Leave in 1993-94
aa. Mary E. Woodard, elementary teacher at Simsboro, replacing Sandra Powell, who is on a half-year leave without pay
bb. Terri Winborne, elementary teacher at Simsboro, replacing Vicki Wheelis, transferred
cc. Alice Higginbotham, Special Education teacher at A. E. Phillips, replacing Juliet Baldwin, resigned
dd. Gail Nelson, Gifted/Talented itinerant teacher, replacing Pat Jones, resigned
ee. Barbara Young, itinerant music teacher, in a new position
All of these recommendations are to become effective on August 20, 1993
9. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to accept the letter of intent to resign submitted by Robert Aulds, bus driver in the Ruston District, effective June 30, 1993.
10. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to employ Andy Gipson as bus driver in the Ruston District to replace Robert Aulds, resigned, to be effective on August 20, 1993
11. As a point of reference, Mr. Shealy told the board that Mia Morrison would be transferring from Ruston District as bus driver to the Dubach/Hico District, replacing Billy Knowles, retired, to be effective August 20, 1993.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted to accept the addendum to the Personnel agenda and the following action was taken as reported by Mr. Andy Shealy, chairman:
12. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to accept the following faculty resignations:
a. Kristina Boyd Danzy resigning as French/English teacher at Choudrant High School, effective July 13, 1993
b. Kathlyn McMichael resigning as science teacher at Choudrant High School,effective July 23, 1993
c. Alma McConnel resigning as elementary teacher at Hillcrest, effective July 27, 1993
d. Frank Ramsey resigning as band director at Ruston High School, effective July 28, 1993
13. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted unanimously to approve the following faculty recommendations, to be effective August 20, 1993:
a. Kim Farmer, English teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Kristina Boyd Danzy, resigned
b. Ita Nassar, Science teacher at Choudrant High, replacing Kathlyn McMichael, resigned
c. Linda Butler, French teacher at Ruston High School, replacing Marion Ezell, retired
d. Apryl Edwards, half/time English teacher at Simsboro, replacing Diana Humphries, transferred
A report on sales tax receipts for July, 1993 was given by Richie Garrett. He told the board that receipts for July totaled $254,369.58 and reflected a 28% increase over this same month last year. These collections were from the 1979 sales tax only and did not include any receipts for the 1993 sales tax. This was an excellent report as indicated by Mr. Garrett.
An update on the financial status for June, 1993 was heard by the board and all fund balances were shown to be in good shape.
The board heard a report on the recently held Administrators' Workshop resented by Ron Suggs. He indicated that the main focus was primarily on the new teacher evaluation program. Principals will be responsible for inservicing their faculty in this new program. This appears to be a more teacher centered evaluation and not threatening to teachers as was LaTEP. This new program will go into effect in the 1993-94 school year.
The board heard an enjoyable presentation from Debbie Haddox and Becky Rich on the Pride of Lincoln Program. They indicated a desire to cooperate with the school board in any way possible in order to enhance family situations among the students of our school system. They told of the program entitled True Colors which helps to build self-esteem in students. A brief video was presented dealing with the Drug Prevention Program. Funding for this program was recently renewed and Mr. David Wright indicated to the board that Representative Pinkie Wilkerson was instrumental in helping to secure this funding.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution asking Louisiana Tech, Grambling State University, and Northeast Louisiana University to give consideration to offering courses designed to certify driver training instructors.
This increased need for additional driver training instructors was brought about by the passage of a law by the 1993 Louisiana Legislature requiring all 15 year olds to pass a certified driver education course before being eligible to receive a Louisiana driver's license. This law will greatly increase the number of students wishing to take driver education in high school. In order to provide driver education for all of these students, school systems will need more teachers certified in driver education.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously to adopt following resolution commending our students, teachers, and administrators for this year's outstanding test scores:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lincoln Parish public school teachers, principals, and students continue to achieve outstanding 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 school in the Lincoln Parish School System and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. David Wright, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution approving the proposed 1993-94 budget for all funds as presented by Richie Garrett, Supervisor of Finance.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted to approve the amendment to the transportation handbook by adding to Chapter VII, Section D, the following underlined statement: Lincoln Parish School Board employees hired to drive Lincoln Parish School Board owned buses, shall drive the assigned bus full time.
The following statement to Chapter VIII, Section 3 was also approved as an amendment: Lincoln Parish School Board drivers shall drive full time as stated in VII, Section D. 5. page 14.
Voting for the motion: Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten and Dr. Phil Rice.
Voting against the motion: Mrs. Loyace Braggs and Mr. George Mack
Abstaining: Mr. David Wright and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson
Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. David Wright, the board voted unanimously to adopt the policy entitled Family and Medical Leave (File: GBRIBA). The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires employers to provide up to twelve (12) workweeks of unpaid leave to eligible employees for certain medical and family related reasons. Eligible employees are those that have been employed for at least one year and worked at least 1,250 hours of service during the previous 12-month period. It was pointed out that Lincoln Parish has adhered to these requirements in the past although we have had no formal policy in our Lincoln Parish Policy Manual.
Following a time of comments and discussion by members of the board, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary Philip F. Rice, President