LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 5, 1994 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 5, 1994 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, LA. Members present were Mr. David Wright, president; Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: Ms. Ann M. Boyd
Mr. David Wright, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Wayne Barfield.
He welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt the board agenda as printed and distributed.
Dr. Charles Scriber came before the board to recognize three outstanding students from Lincoln Parish Schools. He told the board that each year Lincoln Parish School System participates in the Student of the Year program. Students are selected from three divisions -- elementary (grade 5), junior high (grade 8), and high school (grade 12). Parishwide winners are elected from each division. On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Dr. Scriber presented the following parish winners with plaques of appreciation:
Elementary - Haley Phillips of Choudrant Elementary
Junior High - Melissa Barham of Ruston Jr. High
High School - Alisha Cathey of Simsboro High
Three outstanding school support employee awards were presented by Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Programs for Lincoln Parish Schools. This is a newly implemented award program, designed to recognize support persons who exemplify dedication and outstanding leadership in the operation of non-instructional activities within the school system. These individuals are selected in their schools and the final selection process includes a formal mechanism based on points, after which the final selections are made at the central office level by a committee consisting of a teacher, principal, two central office staff members and a community leader. The following support persons were presented with plaques of appreciation on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board:
Elementary - Sterling Richard of Choudrant Elementary custodian/bus driver
Junior High - Nan Colvin of Ruston Jr. High School secretary
High School - Carla Watts of Dubach High School secretary
These parishwide winners are now eligible to compete in state competition.
Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 23, 1994, as distributed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Ruston School District No. 1 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, March 26, 1994, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of the following items for the 1994-95 school, as presented by Mr. Charles Owens:
a. Duplicating Fluid & Paper
b. Thermal and Spirit Master
c. Toilet Tissue and Paper Towels
d. Dust Mops
e. Gasoline and Diesel
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to authorize expenditure of Instructional Supply Money for 1994-95 as presented by Pam Roy, Business Manager for Lincoln Parish Schools. This is a yearly expenditure provided by monies from the instructional portion of the 1979 Sales Tax Fund and distributed on a per pupil basis. The following was approved for distribution for 1994-95:
Art K-12 $1.00 per student
Library Supplies K-5 $ .50 per student
6-12 1.00 per student
Magazines & K-6 $1.70 per student
Newspapers
7-12 2.00 per student
Music K-5 $ .50 per student
6-12 1.00 per student
Physical Education K-12 $1.00 per student
Science K-6 $ .50 per student
7-8 2.00 per student
9-12 3.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Rob Shadoin, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids for Property & Casualty Insurance, as presented by Pam Roy.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to approve the Ruston Daily Leader as the official journal for 1994-95, as presented by Pam Roy.
Upon a motion by Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to the Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish (HELP) to use Lincoln Center School's cafeteria as a feeding site for the summer food service for children, as presented by Charles Owens.
The Finance Committee met at 5:30 p.m., just prior to the board meeting, and the following report was presented by Mr. Allen Tuten, chairman:
The single item dealt with by the Finance Committee was information on a computer networking system, and a request for permission to advertise for bids for hardware for the networking system. Mr. Suggs gave members of the Finance Committee detailed background information relative to the hardware needed, the total cost as well as yearly cost, and the timelines to be followed. He pointed out that for many years, Lincoln Parish has been dependent upon the Bossier Parish Computer Center for grade reporting, scheduling, attendance, transcripts, student listings, etc. However, due to state mandated reporting procedures, this service will no longer meet the needs of Lincoln Parish. The initial cost of the system (hardware, software, training) will come from the '93 Ad Valorem tax dedicated to meeting unfunded state mandates. The yearly cost of maintaining the system (about $27,800 per year) will come from monies which we have been paying the Bossier Computer Center for their services.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted unanimously to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of hardware for this computer networking system, and further, that upon receipt, opening and evaluation of these bids, the board will be polled with information as to the low bid that met specifications. This poll vote shall be ratified at the May board meeting.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Mia Johnson, special education aide at Lincoln Center, to be effective June 1, 1994, as presented by Ron Suggs.
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to accept the letters of intent to retire submitted by the following personnel:
a. Robert Smith, Sr., Supervisor of P.E., Drug Free Schools, to be effective June 15, 1994
b. Harriet Acklin, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, to be effective June 1, 1994
c. Mary Jo Newell, science teacher at Ruston High School, to be effective June 1, 1994
d. Bill Riley, bus driver for Ruston Schools, to be effective June 1, 1994
3. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to grant the following requests for Sabbatical Leave for the 1994-95 school year:
a. Darlene Caver, science teacher at Dubach High, Sabbatical Leave for first semester of 1994-95
b. Marcia DeMoss, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, Sabbatical Leave for the 1994-95 school year
c. Patsy Plummer, kindergarten teacher at Ruston Elementary, Sabbatical Leave for the 1994-95 school year
d. Bonnie Singleton, teacher at Simsboro Elementary, Sabbatical Leave for the 1994-95 school year
4. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of intent to retire submitted by Ruthie Dade, custodian at Choudrant High School, to be effective June 8, 1994, as presented by Charles Owens.
A report on the '67 and '79 Sales Tax receipts for March, 1994 was given by Pam Roy. She indicated that collections reflect an increase of $30,010 or 17% over last month and a total increase of $197,088 or 8% year to date increase. She told the board that collections through audits totaled $38,962 in recovery debts. Collections in the '93 Sales Tax totaled $125,104.
Ms. Roy called the board's attention to highlights of the financial update for February, 1994. She reviewed fund balances and expenditures and indicated that all funds are in good shape at this time.
Members of the school board were delighted to hear a report on the newly formed New Teacher Incentive Program, presented by Mr. Ron Suggs and Mr. Skip Russell, Ruston businessman. A partnership between local businesses and school board staff is being formed to continue to attract the most qualified teachers and professional staff to Lincoln Parish. Lincoln Parish is experiencing shortages in minority applicants, special education applicants, and some secondary fields. This is not a unique situation to Lincoln Parish but is a statewide and national problem as well. Mr. Russell has offered his services in directing this effort to the local business community. Also instrumental in instigating this effort is Mr. Willie Washington, Chapter I Administrator. Members of the board were very responsive to this effort and appreciation was expressed to those involved in this new program.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to approve the bid received from Insight, Inc. in the amount of $49,974 for the purchase of computers, printers and software for the Basic Educational Skills Improvement Program for Chapter I, as authorized by the board on March 8, 1994 and opened and read aloud on March 29, 1994, as presented by Mr. Willie Washington.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt the proposed school calendar (Option I) for the 1994-95 school year as follows:
LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL CALENDAR
1994-95
Parishwide Workshop - August 19, 1994
Students - 1/2 day classes - August 22, 1994
Full Day Classes - August 23, 1994
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - September 5, 1994
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS - November 21-25, 1994
Classes Resume - November 28, 1994
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS - December 19-30, 1994
Classes Resume - January 2, 1995
Mid-Term Break - January 16, 1995
SPRING BREAK - March 13-17, 1995
Classes Resume - March 20, 1995
EASTER HOLIDAYS - April 14 & 17, 1995
Classes Resume - April 18, 1995
Last Day of School - May 31, 1995
Upon a motion by Mr. Rob Shadoin, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution designating May 1-7, 1994 as Teacher Appreciation Week, as presented to the board by Danny Bell, Supervisor of Elementary Programs for Lincoln Parish Schools.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Parish Public School System has a long history of academic achievement by its students; and
WHEREAS, this academic achievement has been accomplished because of an outstanding faculty; and
WHEREAS, the teachers of Lincoln Parish work long and hard to meet the needs of students; and
WHEREAS, the core of any good instructional program takes place in the classroom.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Lincoln Parish School Board designates May 1-7, 1994 as Teacher Appreciation Week and expresses its appreciation to the faculties of the Lincoln Parish Public School System.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be sent to each school in Lincoln Parish and also made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
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At this point in the meeting, Mr. David Wright called the board's attention to the recent death of Jessie Winzer, an outstanding young man who made a great contribution to this community in his work with young people. He was a member of the law enforcement team in Ruston. Also mentioned was Scottie Thurman, a graduate of Ruston High School, and now attending the University of Arkansas where he is an excellent student and also an outstanding basketball player, recently playing a key role in his team winning the national championship.
Following the Superintendent's Report, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President