LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, March 22, 1995   12:37 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 22, 1995, at 12:37 p.m. at Choudrant High School.  Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.

Members absent were:  Mr. Andy Shealy and Mr. Allen Tuten.

Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.

Mr. David Wright, President, called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Joe Mitcham.

Mr. Wright welcomed guests, members of the staff, and press.

Upon a motion by Mr. Rob Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Joe Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Upon a motion by Mrs. Loyace Braggs, seconded by Mr. Curtis Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on March 7, 1995, as distributed.

Mr. Ronald Crawford, Principal of Choudrant High School, welcomed the members of the Board and guests and invited them to visit Choudrant High School anytime.  They have experienced a record year as enrollment is up 8%.  He said projected figures for 95-96 school year also show an increase.

Following this welcome by Mr. Crawford, Dr. Marty Beasley, Chairman, and several curriculum committee members shared information learned at the curriculum committee's orientation meeting held on Monday, March 20, 1995.

At this point Superintendent Gerald Cobb updated the Board on board member, Mr. Andy Shealy, who began serving an eight month sentence March 6 for a misdemeanor, failure to file a tax return.  In a letter from him that Dr. Cobb read to the Board, he requested that his $400 per month compensation be stopped until further notice and said that a final decision regarding his resignation from the Board would be made by him based upon what he believes will be best for the school system, its teachers and students.  The Superintendent said there may be some impending modification to Mr. Shealy's sentence or the location of his incarceration that could affect his decision regarding resigning his Ward 1G seat.  He also said Mr. Shealy is not required by law to resign; therefore, "the ball is in his park."  Although Dr. Cobb has received no complaints from Mr. Shealy's constituents, he outlined the procedure, required by law, that must be followed if a letter of resignation is submitted by him.  This includes appointing a replacement within ten days of receipt of a letter, sending a proclamation to the Secretary of State, and holding an election in October.  After a brief period of questions, expressions of concerns, and comments from board members, one board member urged his fellow board members to begin thinking about who from Ward 1G would make a good replacement for Mr. Shealy but not to "form a Pastor Search Committee before the Pastor has resigned."

President Wright informed the Board that he was adding Mrs. Loyace Braggs to the Personnel Committee.

Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, Mr. George Mack, asked Mr. Charles Owens, Lincoln Parish Director of Auxiliary Services, to give the Board a report on work recently done at two schools.  Mr. Owens said that 800 square feet of roof had blown off at Glen View last week which cost $2,432 to repair.  One hundred twenty-one dollars in repair work was also done at Ruston Junior High School to repair a recently damaged bathroom.  He said the students responsible for the damage at R.J.H.S. will be responsible for payment of the $121.

After a brief discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:19 p.m.

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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                                              David Wright, President