LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 2, 1994 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 2, 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; Mrs. Loyace Braggs Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard and Mr. Allen Tuten:
Absent: Mr. Wayne Barfield and Dr. Marty Beasley
Mr. David Wright, president, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. George Mack.
Mr. Wright welcomed guests and members of the staff and media who were present.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as amended, with the addition of the two agenda items: 1) Addendum to Personnel Agenda and 2) Consider appointment of committee to meet with bus drivers relative to their concerns.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, the board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 7, 1994 as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to grant permission for the Village of Choudrant to install a sewer pipeline on the campus of Choudrant High School with the stipulation that the Superintendent and whomever else he chooses review the document to make sure everything is in order as it relates to the board's wishes on this proposal.
This information was presented to the board by Mr. Jim Kessler and Mr. Ronald Crawford.
The Finance Committee met just prior to the board meeting and the following report was presented by Mr. Allen Tuten, chairman:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted unanimously to adopt the 1994-95 budget procedures schedule as shown below:
Board Action Required
1. Authorization to publish General Summary Budget in Ruston Leader on August 8, 1994 and notice that the Proposed 1994-95 Budget is available for public inspection on working days from August 8, 1994 to September 6, 1994, at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
2. Authorization to publish a notice in the Ruston Leader on August 8, 1994, that a presentation of the Proposed 1994-95 Budget at a public hearing at the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana, on September 6, 1994, at 6:00 p.m.
August 8, 1994 - Publish a general Summary Budget in the Ruston Leader along with notice of public inspection August 8, 1994 and public hearing September 6, 1994.
September 6, 1994 - Presentation of Proposed Budget at a public hearing at School Board meeting at 6:00 p.m.
September 6. 1994 - Adoption of Proposed Budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1994, and ending June 30, 1995.
2. Mr. Tuten reported to the board that the second Finance agenda item was the presentation of the initial proposed budget for review and discussion before its adoption by the board as the official budget for 1994-95 on September 6, 1994
3. Upon a motion by Mr. Allen Tuten, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adopt the resolution levying millages on the 1994 assessment roll for Lincoln Parish as follows:
I. Parishwide
A. 4.95 Mills Constitutional Tax
B. 5.10 Mills Special Repair & Equipment Tax
C. 5.10 Mills Special Maintenance & Operation Tax
D. 12.00 Mills Parishwide Maintenance & Operation Tax
II. District Taxes - For Bond and Interest Fund
A. 20.00 Mills Ruston School District #1
B. 18.00 Mills Simsboro School District #3
C. -0- Mills Dubach School District #5
D. 58.00 Mills Choudrant School District #6
III. District Taxes - Maintenance and Operation
A. 3.05 Mills Ruston School District #1
B. 2.98 Mills Simsboro School District #3
C. 2.86 Mills Dubach School District #5
Voting by roll call vote for the above motion was: Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Calvin Wilkerson, Ms. Ann M. Boyd, Mr. Paul Woodard, Mr. Allen Tuten and Mr. David Wright
Voting against the motion: None
Absent and not voting: Mr. Wayne Barfield and Dr. Marty Beasley
The board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee items were addressed:
1. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to accept the following resignations as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Bennie M. Thompson, teacher at Cypress Springs, effective July 21, 1994
b. Theodis Johnson, assistant principal at Ruston High School, effective June 30, 1994
c. Gary Mitchell, social studies/coach at Ruston High School, effective July 1, 1994
2. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of intent to retire submitted by Frances Harrison, home economics teacher at Ruston High School, effective July 20, 1994, as presented by Ron Suggs
3. The following points of reference were given to the board by Ron Suggs and are all effective on August 19, 1994:
a. Judy Willis transferring from Lincoln Center to Choudrant Elementary, Special Education position, to replace Karen Newsom, transferring
b. Donna Williams transferring from Choudrant Elementary to Cypress Springs to replace Bennie M. Thompson, resigned
c. Cheryl Garner transferring from Simsboro School to Glen View Elementary to replace Carole Roberts, transferring
d. Karen Newsom transferring from Choudrant Elementary to Glen View Elementary to replace Leigh Taylor, transferring
e. AnnaBelle Nihart transferring from Choudrant Elementary to I. A. Lewis to replace Mitch Bohannan, resigned
f. Carole Roberts transferring from Glen View Elementary to I. A. Lewis, Special Education position, to replace Melanie Saunders, transferring
g. Leigh Taylor transferring from Glen View Elementary to Lincoln Center, Special Education position, to replace Judy Willis, transferring
h. Libby Woodard transferring from Simsboro to Ruston Elementary to replace Patricia Plummer, Sabbatical Leave
i. Larry Flicks transferring from Ruston Jr. High to social studies/coach position at Ruston High to replace Reggie McLeroy, resigned
j. Tammy Nettles transferring from Ruston Jr. High School to Ruston High School, French position, to replace Linda Walker, whose contract was not renewed
k. Melanie Saunders transferring from I. A. Lewis to Ruston High School Special Education in a new position
l. Lisa Taylor transferring from Ruston Jr. High to Ruston High in a new math position
4. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously, upon the recommendation of Randy Moore and Ron Suggs, to employ Ms. Glenda Smith as assistant principal at Ruston High School, replacing Theodis Johnson, resigned and to become effective August 5, 1994
5. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Rob Shadoin, the board voted unanimously to employ Patrice Hay as coordinating teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School to replace Eric Carter who was named as new principal at Ruston Elementary School.
6. Upon a motion by Mr. George Mack, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously, upon the recommendation of Mr. Willie Washington, Mr. Ray Bratton and Mrs. Hollis Downs, to employ Rickey Burton as Itinerant Chapter I Social Services Facilitator to become effective August 5, 1994.
7. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to employ the following personnel as presented by Ron Suggs:
a. Beverly Holmes as French/English at Choudrant High to replace Ita Nassar, resigned and to be effective August 19, 1994
b. Mary Pierce as special education teacher at Cypress Springs to replace Reneah Dougherty, resigned and to be effective August 19, 1994
c. Jeanie Rowland as math teacher at Dubach High to replace Rickey Burton, transferred to new position, and to be effective August 19, 1994
d. Melinda Young as science/math at Dubach High to replace Darlene Caver (1/2)and Guyette Barham (1/2) Sabbaticals, and to be effective August 19, 1994
e. Rita Barakat as teacher at Hillcrest to replace Patrice Hay who was named coordinating teacher at Hillcrest, and to be effective August 19, 1994
f. Diana Grigsby as speech therapist at Lincoln Center to replace Carla Roundtree, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994
g. Russ Golden as social studies/coach at Ruston High School to replace Gary Mitchell, resigned, and to be effective August 1, 1994
h. Rodney Bagwell as social studies/coach at Ruston Jr. High School to replace Larry Hicks, transferred, and to be effective August 19, 1994
i. Sonia Falou as French/English at Ruston Jr. High to replace Tammy Nettles, transferred, and to be effective August 19, 1994
j. Debbie Sandidge as Computer Coordinator/Math at Ruston Jr. High in new position and to be effective August 19, 1994
k. Kirby Seal as Social Studies/Coach at Ruston Jr. High School to replace David Hammock, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994
l. Betty Allen as Computer Proctor at Simsboro School to replace Renee .Simpson, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994
m. Becky Brunston as art teacher at Simsboro to replace Bonnie Singleton, Sabbatical Leave, and to be effective August 19, 1994
n. Valerie Ludley as teacher at Simsboro Elementary to replace Jerry King, Sabbatical Leave, and to be effective August 19, 1994
o. Ann McKenney as librarian at Simsboro to replace Irene Sterling, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994
p. Steve Miller as teacher at Simsboro Elementary to replace Libby Woodard, transferred, and to be effective August 19, 1994
q. Freda Taylor as elementary teacher at Simsboro to replace Amy Carter, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994
r. Birdel Barker as social worker to replace John Wallace, transferred, and to be effective August 5, 1994
8. Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to accept the following resignations as presented by Ron Suggs from the Personnel Committee addendum:
a. Julie Jones Causey resigning as P. E. teacher at Glen View, effective July 28, 1994
b. Sondia Mills resigning as elementary teacher at Hillcrest, effective August 1, 1994
c. Judith Willis resigning as special education teacher at Lincoln Center effective July 28, 1994
d. Marshal Davis resigning as teacher aide at Lincoln Center effective July 30, 1994
9. Mr. Suggs told the board as a point of reference that Liz Hood had transferred from Ruston Elementary to Hillcrest Elementary, replacing Sonia Mills, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994.
10. As a point of reference, Mrs. Theodos told the board that Marie Coon, SFS technician at Cypress Springs, had transferred to Simsboro, effective August 1994
11. Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, the board voted unanimously to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Pam Wisdom, manager at Ruston High School.
12. Upon a motion by Mr. Rob Shadoin, seconded by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, the board voted unanimously to employ Stephanie Mattox as cafeteria manager at RHS to replace Pam Wisdom, resigned, and to be effective August 19, 1994.
13. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to accept the following letters of resignation and retirement as presented by Howard Whitlock, Supervisor of Transportation:
a. Carolyn Brooks, bus driver for Ruston School District, effective August 19, 1994
b. Nancy Jo Heard, bus driver for Dubach School District, effective July 19, 1994
14. Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Andy Shealy, the board voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations for school bus drivers, to be effective August 19, 1994, as presented by Howard Whitlock:
a. Angela Brewster as bus driver in Ruston District to replace Jerry Howard, retired
b. Eric Goree as bus driver in Ruston District to replace Bill Riley, retired
c. Reagan Pylant as bus driver in Ruston District to replace Carolyn Brooks, resigned
f. Perry Weatherman as bus driver in Ruston District to replace Robert Singleton,deceased
15. Upon a motion by Mr. Paul Woodard, seconded by Mr. George Mack, the board voted unanimously to employ Lavell Willis as bus driver in the Dubach District to replace Nancy Jo Heard, retired, and to be effective August 19, 1994, as presented by Howard Whitlock, Supervisor of Transportation.
An update on the Sales Tax receipts for the month ending July 31, 1994 was presented to the board by Pam Roy, Business Manager for Lincoln Parish Schools. She told the board that collections in the 1967 and '79 tax receipts reflected an increase of $2,987.07 or 1% over the same month last year. Collections in the 1993 sales tax also showed an increase of $1,790.74 or about 1%. She told the board that sales tax revenue recovered by audits for the month of July was in the amount of $915.97.
Ron Suggs gave an informational update on the upcoming opening of school for the 1994-95 school year. He gave an overview of some changes to be made in the opening of school relative to the inservice of all school personnel.
Concern was expressed at the last board meeting that the United States Congress is debating changes in the present Chapter One laws to place emphasis on targeting funds and services away from the broad based early intervention to specific targeted poverty areas such as high school grades. The board at that time asked the Superintendent to prepare a resolution expressing concern pertaining to the changes in the Chapter One Program found in "The Improving America's Schools Act," which is now being discussed in Congress.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Rob Shadoin, the board voted unanimously to approve the resolution expressing the board's concerns relative to possible changes in the Chapter One Program.
The following policies were presented to the board for their consideration and adoption:
1. Federal law mandates that all school systems receiving federal money must develop sexual harassment policies and complaint forms to protect themselves from litigation. The best assurance of continuing to receive federal money is a clear sexual harassment policy and an awareness program that helps our students and employees understand what sexual harassment is, how to respond if they are victimized and the penalties assessed to those who harass.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Allen Tuten, the board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, voted unanimously to adopt the proposed Lincoln Parish School Board Sexual Harassment Policy and Complaint Forms, as presented by Dr. Gerald W. Cobb.
2. Ron Suggs gave the board background information on the entrance age for kindergarten and first grade as established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. For kindergarten it is age 5 on or before September 30 and for first grade it is 6 on or before September 30. Mr. Suggs expressed concern that in previous years some parents have circumvented the entrance age policy by enrolling their children in a private or out of state school for one to five days and then transferring these children into kindergarten in Lincoln Parish. He indicated that even though these children do not meet our entrance age policy, we have been forced to accept them as transfer students. The addition of a qualifying statement on the existing Entrance Age policy will alleviate this situation.
Upon a motion by Ms. Ann M. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Paul Woodard, the board voted unanimously to add the following qualifying statement to the existing Lincoln Parish Schools Entrance Age policy: "Any student transferring into the public schools of Lincoln Parish at the grade levels Kindergarten or First Grade must: meet the above age restriction or be granted a waiver by the Superintendent or his designee due to a bona fide change in residence from outside Lincoln Parish."
3. The third policy to be presented to the board for consideration defied the Metal Detector Guidelines Policy. It is recommended by our legal advisers that every system needs to adopt policy guidelines for the use of metal detectors to formalize the procedures and to better protect themselves from litigation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously to approve the Lincoln Parish School Board Metal Detector Guidelines Policy, as recommended by the Superintendent, with one revision to be made in the part entitled "Search Operation" No. 5 as follows: "Parents should also be notified upon the decision to personally search a student when reasonable time and circumstances allow."
4. The final policy to be considered by the board was presented by Dr. Cobb and Howard Whitlock, Supervisor of Transportation. In 1991 Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act which mandates drug testing of all employees possessing Commercial Drivers License. The Department of Transportation conducted hearings and released the Act in February, 1994 to become effective on January 1, 1995. The Lincoln Parish School Board will begin the training and testing process on August 19, 1994.
Transportation District II made up of School Board Transportation Departments in Northeast Louisiana, and of which the Lincoln Parish School Board Transportation Department is a member, joined together and let proposals for the Drug Testing Vendor. The Bayou Laboratory of Monroe was the vendor agreed upon, and also submitted the lowest proposal. This vendor will furnish all training requirements.
Following the presentation of the above information to members of the board, a lengthy discussion was held by members of the board and staff. Dr. Cobb stressed that in the Lincoln Parish there would be "zero degree tolerance" as it relates to the use of drugs in our transportation department.
Upon a motion by Mr. Andy Shealy, seconded by Mr. Jim Kessler, the board voted unanimously to approve and implement the Drug and Alcohol Policy as presented and to also approve the use of Bayou Labs of Monroe as the contracted laboratory.
Consideration of the appointment of a committee to meet with Lincoln Parish school bus drivers relative to a listing of concerns was addressed at this time, as presented by Andy Shealy.
A motion was made by Mr. Andy Shealy to enlist the board president to appoint five board members to meet with five bus drivers to try and work out this listing of concerns. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ann M. Boyd. Following a brief discussion, Mr. David Wright asked that the motion be amended to include three (3) board members and two (2) staff members and the board voted unanimously to approve the amended motion to approve the board president appointing three (3) board members and two (2) staff members to meet with five (5) school bus drivers for the purpose of addressing existing concerns. Appointed by Mr. David Wright, board president, were the following: Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. Andy Shealy, Mr. Charles Owens and Mr. Howard Whitlock. It was pointed out that this will be an ad hoc committee, serving only until these concerns are resolved, and not a policy making committee. They will report back to the board at the appropriate time. The Superintendent and board president will serve as ex-officio, members of the committee.
Dr. Cobb indicated that the next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, September 6, 1994.
There being no further business was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.