LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 7, 1993 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 7, 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. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: None
The meeting was called to order by Mr. David Wright, president, and the invocation was given by Mrs. Loyace Braggs.
Mr. Wright welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present for the meeting.
Mr. James Pilgreen, principal of Hico Elementary, was recognized to introduce LaTrissa McNeal, a fifth grade student at Hico, who was present to lead the board in the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Mr. Pilgreen told the board that LaTrissa is an outstanding student in both academics and extra curricular activities. She is also active in her church and community. Following the pledge, Dr. Cobb, on behalf of the board, presented LaTrissa with a certificate in appreciation for her outstanding work and for being present to lead the board in the pledge to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, 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 November 2, 1993.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt a resolution calling for an election to be held on March 26, 1994 to be held in the Ruston School District No. 1 for the purpose of renewing the 3.05 mills Maintenance and Operation Tax.
Voting for the motion: Dr. Owen Jean Hall, 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, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. David Wright.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously to approve advertising for bids for the purchase of vocational agriscience shop equipment, as presented by Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services for Lincoln Parish Schools. He indicated that there is a need in our school system to provide instruction and experience with facilities and equipment that are up-to-date to meet local labor market demands. This will lead to increased student work and job placement in the areas of welding, small engines, woodworking, horticulture, animal science, and electricity. Monies from the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Funds will be spent to improve agriscience programs at Choudrant High, Simsboro, and Dubach High Schools.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of Intent to Retire effective January 18, 1994, submitted by Mary Edna Cathey, secretary at Simsboro School, as presented by Ron Suggs.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted unanimously to approve the following faculty recommendations as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Mitch Bohannon to replace Greg Cole, resigned, at I. A. Lewis to be effective November 8, 1993
b. Anthony Tisdale to replace David Bissic, resigned, as junior high teacher at Simsboro to be effective November 8, 1993
A report on sales tax receipts for the month ended November 30, 1993 was given by Pam Roy, Lincoln Parish School Board accountant. She told the board that receipts were up $21,782 or 10.7% over the same month last year. The report also reflected an increase of $111,920 or 4.6% year to date increase. Mrs. Roy did point out to the board that the large increase this month was due mainly to benefits derived from the work of the newly employed auditor in the Sales Tax Office. Total receipts for the new 1993 sales tax are $666.224.34. Receipts for November were in the amount of $134,836.75.
A financial update for October, 1993 was presented by Pam Roy. She reviewed fund balances and indicated that they were in good shape at this time. She pointed out that utilities are being paid from the General Fund at this time instead of Ruston Maintenance & Operation; however, this is a temporary arrangement to be changed as soon funds are available from the Ruston Maintenance & Operation Fund.
An update on the status of the self insured health, dental and life insurance program was given by Pam Roy. She reminded the board that Lincoln Parish entered into a self-insured health program in November, 1989 and in November, 1990 we also entered into a self-insured dental program. In the four years since we entered this program, employee premiums have not increased. Mrs. Roy reported to the board that the fund balance in the health, life and dental program as of October 31, 1993 is $1,075,237.
Various board members expressed their appreciation for our excellent insurance program and called attention to many of the excellent services provided by the self-insured health program.
Ron Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, reported to the board on the recently held Minority Recruitment Seminar. On November 19,1993, the Lincoln Parish School Board staff participated with Grambling State University in this seminar. Approximately 36 students from the university attended along with their instructors. They participated in organized programs provided by Mr. Willie Washington, Chapter One Administrator for Lincoln Parish Schools. Follow-up work will take place as these students do their student teaching and prepare to enter the teaching profession. Plans for a similar program for secondary education and special education majors in cooperation with all neighboring universities are underway.
This report was received favorably by members of the school board as they expressed their appreciation to the staff for the hard work and planning that went into making this seminar such a success. Mr. Suggs told the board at this point that the staff, in conjunction with some local businesses, is working on an incentive package to aid in attracting new teachers to our system. This package should be in place for spring recruitment.
Mr. Suggs then told the board that this is the third year of unannounced school visits by supervisors of Lincoln Parish Schools. Supervisors meet in the board room on the date of the school visit and receive the name of the school to be visited and the schedule of teachers they are to visit on that particular day. Later in the day, after the visit has been concluded, supervisors come back together to share unique teaching methods observed and to discuss areas where help might be needed. The principal of the school receives a summation of the supervisors' comments regarding the school climate and overall impression of the school. They also receive a copy of each supervisor's written observation for immediate feedback to the teacher. Positive points of the program are as follows:
1. Supervisors always ask the teacher if there is anything they need to make their job of instruction easier.
2. Assures that all teachers have personal contact with a central office supervisor as least once during the year.
3. Portrays the supervisor in a helping mode to the teacher
4. Provides each teacher with feedback on the job they are doing in the classroom
5. Provides each principal with feedback on the supervisor's impressions of the school
6. Assures that all supervisors are in the classroom on a regular basis
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to approve the low bid for the lease/purchase of five (5) 1994 International diesel school buses, as submitted by Scott Truck and Tractor at a cost of $38,053.91 per bus, with financing at 6.75% through Governmental Finance & Leasing, Inc., LaSalle Bank.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb reported to the board on the following items:
1. He called the board's attention to a letter of response from Representative Jim McCrery regarding the resolution sent to him concerning the imposing of state and federal unfunded mandates.
2. Louisiana School Boards' Association Convention to be held in New Orleans March 3-5, 1994 and urged board members to make their intent to attend known
3. Information booklet compiled by Jackie Whitlock, Chapter I Supervisor, and Barbara Kirkland, Supervisor of Federal Programs, regarding the Lincoln Parish School System
4. Called attention to Back to School day to be held December 14 in the Chapter I building
At this time, board members expressed their condolences to Mr. David Wright in the recent loss of two of his brothers.
Following a time of comments and observations regarding different concerns by several board members, the board adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President