LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, November 2, 1993 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 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 Mr. David Wright, president; Dr. Owen Jean Hall, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: Mr. Wayne Barfield
The meeting was called to order by Mr. David Wright, president, and the invocation was given by Mr. George Mack.
Mr. Wright welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present for the meeting.
Mr. Charles Hogan, principal of Choudrant Elementary, was recognized to introduce Haley Phillips, a fifth grade student at Choudrant, who was present to lead the board in the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Hogan told the board that Haley is an outstanding student who is very active in 4-H, Junior Beta Club, is instrumental in publication of the school newspaper and is also in the Honors Club each six weeks. The board expressed their appreciation to Haley for her outstanding work at school and for being present to lead the board in the pledge to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to adopt, as distributed, the minutes of the Regular Session of the board held on -October 20, 1993.
At this point in the meeting, Dr. Cobb presented Susan Hilton with a plaque in appreciation and recognition for being named a state finalist in the Teacher of the Year contest for 1993-94. Mrs. Hilton is a teacher at Ruston Jr. High School.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Dr. Owen Jean Hall, the board voted unanimously, following a lengthy discussion, to grant permission to advertise for bids for the lease/purchase of five (5) or more 1993 school buses, as presented by Mr. Richard Hinton.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of resignation submitted by David Bissic, science teacher at Simsboro, to be effective October 11, 1993.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of intent to retire submitted by Laura Frazier, teacher at Cypress Springs, to be effective October 4, 1993.
3. Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to grant the request for Sabbatical Leave for the second semester of 1993-94 as submitted by Marilyn Hyams, teacher at Choudrant High School.
4. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to employ Janet Brown as itinerant psychologist to be effective November 29, 1993.
A report on Sales Tax receipts for October, 1993 was given by Pam Roy, assistant Supervisor of Finance for Lincoln Parish Schools. She indicated that revenues reflected an increase of $17,371.71 or 8.2% over the same month last year. Collections for the year show an increase thus far of $90,138 or 3.8% over last years receipts at this time. Receipts thus far in the new 1993 sales tax fund total $531,387.59 as of the end of October. She reminded the board that salary adjustment checks will be distributed in December in the amounts of $700 for certified and $350 for support personnel. This will be paid from the 1993 sales tax fund.
A financial update for September, 1993 was also given by Pam Roy. She reviewed fund balances and indicated that our General Fund is in good shape. Some of the other funds do reflect deficit balances for the month; however, this is normal for this time of the year since some of these funds are tax driven and we will not begin collecting these taxes until the first of the year. Overall, everything appears to be in good order.
Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Programs, came before the board to give a report on the Energy Profile Survey conducted in Lincoln Parish. This survey was done at the request of several school superintendents around the state who asked for assistance from the LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, and the Department of Natural Resources Energy Division in cutting utility expenditures in their school budgets. The following criteria was used to rank parishes in the survey results: 1) amount of dollars spent on energy per student, 2) state wide ranking, 3) state wide range (high and low), and 4) cost per square foot. In the results given for the first of the three (3) year survey, Lincoln Parish spends $81.83 per student per year for energy. That ranks us 40th in the state with these costs. The range for the state was $52.27 to $159.05; state average was $92.17. The per square expenditure for Lincoln Parish was $.69 or 31st in the state.
Barbara Kirkland, Supervisor, gave an update on the upcoming Lincoln Parish Career Night to be held on Monday, November 15 in the Ruston Civic Center. Mrs. Kirkland indicated that parish juniors, seniors, and their parents are invited to attend. Representatives from more than 30 colleges, universities, vocational schools, beauty schools, and all branches of the armed services will be available to meet with those interested in attending the various schools. information on scholarships, financial aid, ACT requirements, and admission policies will also be presented. This annual event is coordinated by parish guidance counselors and has proven to be more successful when held at night.
Chapter 2 at-risk projects were discussed by Mrs. Kirkland. She told the board that the main targeted assistance program funded through Chapter 2 is a program to meet the educational needs of students at risk of failing in school and of dropping out and students for whom providing an education entails higher than average costs. The program was designed for high school students in grade 9 at Ruston High School and Dubach High, based on parish drop-out rates.
Students who score below the 50th percentile on CAT tests, are below grade level in English and Math, and have passed without mastery or failed at least one year have continually not responded well to our regular instruction approaches. The lack of mastery by these students of the basic skills in English, Math, and Science put them at risk of failing and dropping out. The program is designed to take students at their present level and lead them to examine, respond, and master basic skills. the varieties in both the computer instruction and teacher instruction methods are expected to enable students to progress well and complete required courses toward graduation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution showing their support of National Unfunded Mandates Day, an effort by the National School Boards Association to call attention to the financial problems caused to local school systems by federal and state unfunded mandates.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt the amended resolution to Employ Special Counsel in the suit against the State Employees Group Benefits Program. The Attorney General had ruled that the resolution adopted earlier by the coalition of school boards bringing suit against the State Employees Group Benefits Program must be readopted to include the name of the law firm which will assist in representing the schools boards in their suit.
Voting for the motion: Dr. Owen Jean Hall, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. David Wright.
Voting against the motion: None
Absent and not voting: Mr. Wayne Barfield
In the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb spoke to the board briefly on the following items:
1. He explained the current procedure followed in granting letters of introduction for different individuals requesting permission to go into the schools and talk to the principals and sometimes distribute flyers, pamphlets, tickets, etc. He indicated that if a letter of introduction was given to an individual, that person could speak only to the principal or designated individual and could leave materials for distribution to students only if approved by the principal. These materials must be left in the office to be picked up by students or parents if they desire this information after an announcement had been made to that effect. At no time is information supposed to be distributed to classrooms. Dr. Cobb questioned the board as to their feelings regarding this procedure currently in use. Board members indicated that this procedure had their approval.
2. He commented on the latest edition of Express, the Chapter I pamphlet produced by Jackie Whitlock and other members of the Chapter I staff along with participation from different schools.
3. Friday Night Prime Time, an emphasis on encouraging reading was again highlighted by Dr. Cobb. This is an annual event held at Simsboro School under the direction of Cheryl Garner.
A time of discussion and comments by members of the board was held and following comments and observations, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President