LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 5, 1994 6.00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 5, 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, 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, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: Mr. Paul Woodard
Mr. David Wright, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mrs. Loyace Braggs.
Mr. Wright welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 7, 1994 as printed and distributed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to submit a revised copy of the Lincoln Parish Pupil Progression Plan to the State Department of Education for approval, as presented by Dr. Charles Scriber, Supervisor of Secondary Education for Lincoln Parish Schools. This document addresses the placement, promotion and remediation policies for Lincoln Parish Schools pursuant to Bulletin 1566, (R.S. 17:24.4) and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following personnel items were addressed:
1. Dr. Cobb presented background information on the selection process followed in the recommendation of Mr. Eric Carter as the new principal at Ruston Elementary School, effective July 6, 1994.
He told the board that the Interview Committee consisted of the following members: Ron Suggs, Charles Owens, Sandra Henderson, Patsy Bullock and Charles Hogan.
The top three (3) applicants were: Eric Carter, Rik Cason and Jan Mitchell.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Interview Committee, voted unanimously to name Mr. Eric Carter as principal at Ruston Elementary School, effective July 6, 1994.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to grant the Superintendent permission to advertise and interview to fill the vacancy of coordinating teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School, created by the appointment of Eric Carter as principal at Ruston Elementary.
2. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to accept the following staff resignations:
a. David Hammock, social studies/coach at Ruston Jr. High, effective June 27, 1994
b. Bruce Slack, Internal Auditor at Central Office, effective June 28, 1994
c. Elizabeth Mitchell, Special Education teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective June 23, 1994
d. Michelle Kessler, math teacher at Ruston High School effective June 22, 1994
e. Reggie McLeroy, English/Coach at Ruston High School, effective June 1, 1994
f. Nancy Thompson, elementary teacher at Glen View, effective June 24, 1994
g. Ita Nassar, science teacher at Choudrant High School, effective June 1, 1994
h. Amy Carter, elementary teacher at Simsboro, effective June 10, 1994
i. Renee Simpson, Chapter I teacher at Simsboro, effective June 1, 1994
3. Upon a motion by Mr. Jim Kessler, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to approve the request for a Sabbatical Leave for Rest and Recuperation for the 1994-95 school year, submitted by Jerry Ann King, teacher at Simsboro Elementary School.
4. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Dr. Marty Beasley, the board voted unanimously to approve employing the following personnel to be effective August 19, 1994:
a. Beryl Singleton as elementary teacher at Glen View to replace Katrina Blocker, resigned
b. Jan Mitchell as elementary teacher at Glen View to replace Diane Soper, Sabbatical Leave
c. Chris Joiner as elementary teacher at Glen View to replace Gloria Wade,Sabbatical Leave
d. Donna Lynn Canterbury as teacher at Hillcrest Elementary to replace Harriet Acklin, retired
e. Sondia Mills as teacher at Hillcrest Elementary to replace Marcia DeMoss, Sabbatical Leave
f. Paula Colvin as teacher at I. A. Lewis to replace Jane Rice, resigned
g. Jamie Simpson as Pre-K teacher at Lincoln Center to replace Kaye Emfinger, resigned
h. Michelle Northcott as teacher at Ruston Elementary to replace Karen Taylor, Leave without Pay for '94-95
i. Margaret Clary as Itinerant art teacher to replace Cathy Dalme, resigned
j. Cheri Crumpton as elementary teacher at Glen View to replace Nancy Thompson, resigned
k. Doug Postel as English/Science teacher at Choudrant High to replace Zilla Cone, Leave Without Pay for '94-95
l. Tamara Webb as science teacher at Ruston High to replace Mary Jo Newell, retired
m. Sue Gullatt as Language Arts teacher at Ruston Jr. High to replace Peggy Fallin, Sabbatical Leave
n. Robert Kranz as social studies/coach at Ruston High School in a new position
o. Dr. Daniel Moore as Itinerant Psychologist in a new position
p. Feleasha Nelson as special education aide at Dubach High in a new position
q. Kathryn Rowell as itinerant special education in a new position
5. Dr. Cobb presented the final personnel agenda item which was consideration of non-renewal of a non-tenured teacher's contract for the 1994-95 school year. The teacher in question was not present at the meeting; therefore, the board, upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, voted unanimously to enter into Executive or Closed Session at 6:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the professional competency of this non-tenured teacher and nonrenewal of her contract for the upcoming school year.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to go back into Regular or Open Session at 7:10 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, voted unanimously not to renew the teacher's contract for the 1994-95 school year.
A financial update for the month ending May, 1994 was presented to the board at this time by Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager for Lincoln Parish School. She told the board that fund balances as of May 30, 1994 were in good shape; however, she stressed that they would continue to decline each month since we are now using collections from January, 1994 and would continue to do so throughout the year. Monies are collected in January of each year.
An update on Sales Tax receipts was given by Ms. Roy. She reported that receipts in the '67 and '79 sales tax funds for the month ending June, 1994 reflected an increase of $35,356.93 or 18% over the same month last year. Receipts for the year are up $270,551.63 or 11.3%. The 1993 sales tax fund reflected an increase of $20,937.34 over the same month last year. She told members of the board that due to the excellent tax collections during this past year, for the first time in the history of the '67 and '79 sales tax, the 13th check or salary supplement to be given in July from these funds would increase from $1200/$600 to $1400/$700. Also to be given in July is an additional check from the new '93 sales tax in the amount of $1000 for certified personnel and $500 for non-certified. The board was pleased with this excellent recap of collections for this year.
Upon a motion by Dr. Marty Beasley, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to give two salary supplement checks to all school employees on July 15, 1994 in the amounts as shown: $1400 for certified personnel and $700 for non-certified from the '67 and '79 sales tax, and $1000 for certified and $500 for noncertified from the new '93 sales tax.
Mr. Ron Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave an overview of the Lincoln Parish Administrators' Workshop scheduled to be held the week of July 25, 1994. Topics to be covered include: Teacher Evaluation for beginning teachers, PAMS Computer System, new legislation concerning education, curriculum strengths and weaknesses and also area discussion panels.
Dr. Marty Beasley, Lincoln Parish School Board Legislative Liaison representative, spoke to the board regarding her recent attendance at the LSBA Day at the Legislature. She gave special emphasis to Bill No. 76 dealing with the authority of teachers and the obligation of administrators regarding classroom discipline and providing for parental involvement which was amended 59 times. Other legislation dealing with education was discussed. The board expressed their appreciation to Dr. Beasley for her representation and also for the information she provided them relative to the education legislation.
Chapter I Supervisor, Mrs. Jackie Whitlock, gave an overview of the Chapter I Summer Enrichment Program being held at I. A. Lewis School for 6-weeks this summer. She indicated that the purpose of this program was to reinforce reading and math skills learned in the classroom during the past year, and to provide positive experiences for students to continue to use these skills so they will return to school in the fall with a stronger background in reading and math. She told the board that this is accomplished through the use of whole language activities, role-playing, manipulatives, computer-assisted instruction, and other non-traditional classroom activities. Class size is limited to 10 students to allow for individual tutorial assistance. Enrollment figures show 147 students being served in grades K-6. Enrichment activities are planned which will be very enjoyable for the students as well as learning experiences. Mrs. Sallie Evans, Parental Involvement Coordinator, also directs a "Read America" reading program held each Friday.
Consideration of informal quotes received for Property and Casualty Insurance for 1994-95 was the next agenda item. Ms. Roy indicated that after advertising and sending notices to companies who had contacted our office, we received two complete proposals, both being from out-of-town. Only one proposal was for a fully insured program, through COREGIS.
Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Wayne Barfield, the board voted unanimously to approve securing Property and Casualty Insurance for 1994-95 through COREGIS, with changes in the deductible as pointed out by Ms. Roy.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to approve renewal of the Policy Updating Service, beginning July 1, 1994 and ending June 30, 1995, at a cost of $1,590, as recommended by the Superintendent. For a number of years the board has employed these services for the purpose of maintaining our policy manual's accuracy while at the same time keeping it as current as possible. Board minutes, selected state and federal court cases, pertinent legislation and attorney general's opinions are reviewed to determine their effect on our policy manual.
Act No. 954 (Alternative Fuels Conversion) was discussed by Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Programs. He told the board that this act of the 1990 Louisiana Legislature requires that vehicles owned by political bodies - school boards - be converted to alternative fuels. This can be done in a staggered manner with 80% or more to be converted by September 1, 1998.
However, the law also states that the governing authority of a political subdivision may reduce any percentage required or waive the requirements for any agency of a political subdivision upon receipt of certification supported by evidence acceptable to the governing authority that one of two situations exist. Mr. Owens indicated that in view of the provisions outlined in condition #1 (The agency's vehicles will be operating primarily in an area which neither the agency nor a supplier has or can reasonable be expected to establish a central refueling station for alternative fuels), he recommended that we waive implementation of Act 954.
After hearing a detailed explanation of this conversion relative to cost and availability of alternative fuels, and upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mr. Rob Shadoin, the board voted unanimously to grant permission to waive implementation of Act 954 for the maximum period allowed by law.
In the Superintendent's Report, Dr. Cobb presented a board meeting schedule for the September, 1994 though August, 1995.
Following brief comments by members of the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President