LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

SPECIAL CALLED SESSION

Monday, February 14, 1994  4:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Monday, February 14, 1994 at 4:00 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; Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Jim Kessler, Dr. 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, after which he gave the invocation.

He welcomed all in attendance and indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to hear the request of students who are appealing recommended expulsion from the Lincoln Parish School System for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year.  All parties involved were present.

The procedure to be followed in hearing these appeals was explained by Mr. Wright as follows:

1.         After hearing the presentation and reviewing the testimony, the Board has the authority to affirm, modify, or reverse the action.

2.         Staff members from involved schools and central office administrators will make their presentation.  After each staff member and/or central office administrator has completed their presentation the student, parent and/or representative has the opportunity to question or cross-examine each staff member or administrator regarding their comments.

3.         Board members have the opportunity to ask questions of any of these staff members or central office administrators.

4.         The student and/or parent has opportunity to state their side or prospective.  The same process would be allowed in that staff members from schools and central office administrators would be given an opportunity to ask questions.  Following that, members of the School Board would have opportunity to ask questions just as they had asked questions of the school staff members and administrative staff.

5.         After each side has had these opportunities, each would be allowed opportunity to offer any rebuttal or any information contrary to what the other side had said.  This must be done in an orderly manner.

6.         The Board would be responsible for deliberating its decision as to the final outcome of the appeal.

7.         The Board asks if there are any objections to the proceedings being recorded.

8.         Board president inquires if the parent desires to have the session Open or Closed.

The parents of both students involved in the appeals had no objection to the meeting being recorded but did request that the hearings be held in Closed Session.

Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to enter into Closed Session at 4:10 p.m.

Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to go back into Open Session at 5:35 p.m.

Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted 11-1 to uphold the recommendation that the student be expelled from school for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year as recommended by the school officials and the superintendent.

Voting to uphold the recommendation for expulsion: Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Dr. Owen jean Hall, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. David Wright.

Voting against upholding the recommendation for expulsion: Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.

Before hearing the appeal of the second student the Board went back into Closed Session as had been requested by the involved parent at the beginning of the meeting.

Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted to go back into Open Session at 6:45 p.m.

Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to uphold the recommendation for expulsion of the student for the remainder of the 1993-94 school year.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                         David Wright, President