LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RUSTON, LOUISIANA
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 1, 1994
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 1, 1994 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, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Dr. Owen Jean Hall, 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 Mr. Wayne Barfield.
Mr. Wright 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 voted unanimously to adopt, as distributed, the minutes of the Regular Session of the Board held on January 4, 1994.
At this time, special recognition was given to Mrs. Debra Crowe, an employee of the Lincoln Parish School Board central office staff, who was recently honored by the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce by being named Young Woman of the Year in recognition for her contribution in working with a youth organization entitled LOVE or Ladies of Vision and Enlightment. She was instrumental in beginning this organization which consists of volunteer work with girls and young women of our community. Mrs. Crowe was presented with a plaque of appreciation and recognition by Mr. Wright, on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board. Following this presentation, she spoke to the board briefly regarding her work with LOVE and shared some very interesting information with them. Members of her family were present and recognized.
It was pointed out that Mrs. Susan Hilton, one of our teachers, was also honored by the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, by being named Outstanding Young Educator. The board had recognized her at an earlier meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to send Letters of Intent for 1994-95, as requested by Ron Suggs.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to declare various items of Vocational Education equipment at Choudrant High School as surplus, as presented by Mrs. Barbara Kirkland.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mrs. Ann Boyd, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of resignation, effective March 7, 1994, submitted by Irene Sterling, librarian at Simsboro School, as presented by Ron Suggs.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to grant the following requests for Sabbatical Leave for 1994-95:
a. Diane Soper, teacher at Glen View Elementary, requesting a Sabbatical Leave for 1994-95
b. Peggy Fallin, language arts teacher at Ruston Jr. High, requesting a Sabbatical Leave for 1994-95
3. The following were offered as points of reference by Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor:
a. Barbara Hunter, technician at Hillcrest, transferred to I. A. Lewis to replace Reginald Jones, effective January 10, 1994
b. Charissa Barrett, clerk at Hillcrest, moved from 4 hour clerk position to 5 hour technician position at Hillcrest, effective February 1, 1994
c. Reginald Jones, technician at I. A. Lewis, did not report back to work nor did he notify the central office after the Christmas holidays
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to employ Paulette Davis, effective February 1, 1994, as clerk/technician at Hillcrest to replace Charissa Barnett who was moved to a technician position.
An addendum to the Personnel Committee agenda was presented and the following action was taken:
5. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to employ Bonnie McGrew as school bus driver, effective January 18, 1994, for the Ruston District in a new route.
A report on sales tax receipts for January, 1994 was given by Pam Roy, Business Manager for Lincoln Parish Schools. She reported that collections in the 1967 and 1979 sales tax totaled S266,335.31, reflecting an increase of $22,905 or 9.4% over the same month last year. Collections for the year show an increase of $162,228.03 or a 6.7% increase.
The 1993 sales tax collections for January totaled $159,801.19, making a grand total collected thus far since July 1, 1993 of $956,807.71.
A financial update for December, 1993 was presented to the board by Pam Roy. She pointed out that fund balances are all in good shape at this time; however, board members were informed that the budget letter has been received and our receipts from the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) have been cut $177,000 and this will be reflected in the General Fund. Dr. Cobb also pointed out that this does not include $200,000 in step increase raises for teachers. The school system will now have to pay these step increases.
A report on the Pilot Counselor Program recently begun at Lincoln Center was given by Ron Suggs. This program involves full time counseling services and we currently have 12 students who are participating, with parental permission. Mr. Suggs told the board that the goals of this program are to instill motivation and increase self-esteem of students. Methods used include counseling-both individual and group, home visits and parental involvement, and also staffing services. The group targeted at this time are the alternative classes domiciled at Lincoln Center. The only obligation of the board is to provide a small space for the counselor to work. This pilot program will run through the end of the 1993-94 school year and will be evaluated at that time to determine its effectiveness and the status of the program for 1994-95.
Dr. Charles Scriber informed the board that Lincoln Parish has been chosen as a program site for the National Faculty Delta Teachers Academy. This is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education with funding help from the U. S. Department of Agriculture to provide academic and professional development for elementary and secondary teachers. A maximum of fifteen Lincoln Parish teachers in grades 6-12 in the same discipline will undergo training during the spring of 1994 as well as attend a two-week summer institute at a regional university. History has been chosen as the primary discipline and geography as the secondary discipline. Scholars from throughout the U.S. will lead the six local sessions and all expenses will be paid by the National Faculty. In addition, a $400 stipend will be paid to teachers attending the summer institute.
School coordinators from Cypress Springs, I. A. Lewis and Ruston Elementary were presented to the board by Danny Bell, Supervisor of Elementary Programs. An update on their job functions and responsibilities were given to board members by Mrs. Bettye Anders, Cypress Springs coordinator; Mrs. Faye Kavanaugh, Ruston Elementary coordinator; and Mrs. Mary Null, I. A. Lewis coordinator. Their presentations were very informative and a delightful addition to the board meeting. Board members overwhelmingly responded to these reports in a very positive manner and indicated that the addition of these staff members to the schools was one of the most successful and well planned parts of the 1993 Sales Tax expenditures.
Ms. Cheryl Garner presented a proclamation from Governor Edwards proclaiming February as Literacy Month statewide. Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation as presented.
Committee assignments for 1994 were presented by Mr. David Wright, president. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to adopt the following committees to serve for 1994:
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. George Mack, Chairman
Mr. Wayne Barfield
Mr. Calvin Wilkerson
Mr. Jim Kessler
Mr. Allen Tuten
CURRICULUM
Ms. Ann Boyd, Chairperson
Mr. Jim Kessler
Mr. Paul Woodard
Mrs. Loyace Braggs
Dr. Marty Beasley
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Allen Tuten, Chairman
Dr. Jean Hall
Mr. Andy Shealy
Mr. Wayne Barfield
Mrs. Loyace Braggs
EX OFFICIO ON COMMITTEES
Mr. David Wright
Dr. Gerald Cobb
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mr. Wayne Barfield, Chairman
Mr. Allen Tuten
Mr. Andy Shealy
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Mr. Andy Shealy, Chairman
Dr. Jean Hall
Dr. Marty Beasley
Mr. George Mack
Ms. Ann M. Boyd
Mr. Paul Woodard
Mr. Calvin Wilkerson
SALES TAX ADVISORY
Mr. Allen Tuten
Mr. Wayne Barfield
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON REPS.
Dr. Marty Beasley
Mr. Jim Kessler
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb called attention to the following items:
1) Correspondence received from Senator John Breaux regarding our concerns relative to unfunded federal mandates and also concerns regarding transportation fuels tax.
2) Dr. Cobb reported that Lincoln Parish is one of 17 systems filing suit against the State Employees Group Benefits Program.
3) He expressed appreciation to Dr. Jean Hall for his service as interim member for Ward I-B, replacing Dr. Phil Rice who resigned. Dr. Cobb also welcomed Mr. Rob Shadoin who was present at the meeting and who will be sworn in as the new board member for Ward I-B on March 8, 1994 at the Regular Session of the board.
Following brief comments by members of the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President