LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION
Tuesday, June 27, 1995 1:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Tuesday, June 27, 1995 at 1:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were President David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm, 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.
Absent was Mr. Allen Tuten.
Mr. Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mrs. Braggs.
President Wright welcomed the guests, members of the staff, and media.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Mrs. Sallie Evans, Title I Parental Involvement Coordinator, told the Board that the Title I Program in its continuing efforts to provide quality education for children and families, is constantly seeking ways to improve its current Parental Involvement Program. The administrators and parents of the program recognize that one of the areas of weakness in the Parental Involvement component is lack of adequate space for meeting with parents on a daily basis. Title I in Lincoln Parish and throughout the state and nation has embraced the fact that by the year 2000 every American adult will be literate and every school and community will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children. In keeping with the national education goals, the development of a Parishwide Parent Center will help meet the needs of many families in the parish. The Center also addresses goals 5 and 8 of the nation's Goals 2000 program. As of July 1, 1995 the new Title I law will greatly increase the number of parents and students participating in the Title I program, and thus, will warrant a larger facility to provide the assistance, training, educational materials, and support to families and individuals who work with parents. Therefore, additional funds were applied for through the Reallocation of Funds Grant for FY '95. These funds will be used to fund the construction of the Parent Center, with an estimated cost of $30,000-$35,000.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the construction of a Title I Parishwide Parent Center on property south of the Chapter 1 Media Center.
In order to provide daily service to the student of the parish and to provide buses for activity and field trips, Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Howard Whitlock, told the Board that it is vitally important that we acquire 11 additional buses for the 95-96 school year. He said for the past few years the Board has pursued an aggressive bus acquisition plan. This was necessitated in part by the number of older, board-owned buses that remain in use. Also, the escalating cost of owning and operating a bus has caused several contract drivers to become board drivers. At the present time, the following are needed: 6 buses to replace board-owned buses that are aging, 3 buses to replace contract routes becoming board routes, 1 small, special education bus, and 1 additional activity bus. This purchase of 11 buses, before school starts in August, would put us in excellent shape to start the year and would upgrade our fleet dramatically. He said in checking with Business Manager, Ms. Pam Roy, concerning the finances, sufficient funds are available to finance this transaction of approximately $280,000 for the used buses compared to approximately $430,000 for new.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of 11 used school buses.
President Wright announced that items 4.5 and 5.1 on the agenda would be discussed at this time.
Mr. Bill Beck, Bonding Attorney with Foley and Judell, reminded the Board that they adopted, at their last meeting, a resolution authorizing the issuance of $405,000 in Certificates of Indebtedness for the purchase of CCC labs for Chapter 1/Title I. Due to some changes, a decreased amount will be needed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to approve the resolution authorizing, empowering, and directing the President and Secretary of this School Board to deliver any lesser amount of Certificates as they may in their sole discretion determine are necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the Certificates are being issued, and to approve adjustments to the principal repayment schedule to reflect any such lesser amount; provided that the Certificates shall mature in such a way that the principal and interest due in each fiscal year shall be as nearly equal as possible.
In order for the Bond Commission to approve the purchase of the CCC labs, an adopted, preliminary budget is needed, Mr. Beck told the Board. The budget would be for this purpose only and the actual beginning budget for 95-96 would be presented at the August board meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, and after one question, the Board unanimously voted to approve the preliminary 95-96 budget for submission to the Bond Commission for approval of the purchase of the Certificates of Indebtedness.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for materials and labor to construct a portable building at Ruston Junior High School. This, and the next Two items were presented by Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for air conditioning equipment at Dubach High School.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bids meeting specifications for materials and supplies, i.e., duplicating fluid, duplicating paper, thermal masters, gasoline and diesel, and toilet tissue and paper towels.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the revised, final budget for 94-95. Ms. Roy reminded the Board that they had done so at their last meeting; but since that time the Legislature has approved a one time, salary supplement from the casino revenue. In order for the revenue and expenditure amounts to be within the 5% variance allowed, adjustments in revenue and expenditures of approximately $650,000 is necessary .
She also informed the board that '67 and '79 sales tax checks for certified employees will be $1600 and $800 for uncertified. This is up $200 from last years amount. These checks will be issued June 30.
Mr. Wright informed the Board that the 2 personnel agenda issues were dealing with the nonrenewal of employees' contracts. As is customary, he explained in detail the procedure to be followed in hearing the nonrenewal of contract cases. He then asked if all parties involved were present. Mr. Robert "Doug" Johnson, Mrs. Leila Brumett, and her representative, Attorney Charles Barham, were present.
As Mr. Johnson's case would be heard first, he was asked if open or closed session was desired. Closed session was requested by Mr. Johnson.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to enter into closed session at 2:16 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to return to open session at 3:55 p.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Shadoin to uphold the recommendation of the Principal and the Superintendent to not renew the contract of Mr. Robert "Doug" Johnson. The motion was seconded by Dr. Beasley.
Voting for the motion: Mr. Barfield, Mrs. Braggs, Dr. Beasley, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, and Mr. Wright.
Voting against the motion: Mr. Mack.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Tuten.
The result of this roll call vote was 10 for, 1 against, and 1 absent; therefore, the motion carried.
Mr. Shadoin requested and President Wright honored his request for a short recess.
Mr. Wright then asked if an open or closed session was preferred by Mrs. Brumett. Mr. Charles Barham indicated that an open session was preferred.
President Wright again outlined the procedure to be followed in hearing the nonrenewal of contract case.
Mr. Barham requested a continuance as they were not aware of item number 6E on the procedure to be followed in considering the nonrenewal of contract for nontenured employees and that witnesses would be necessary. Attorney for the Board, Mr. Wayne Smith, said the proceedings were not a trial, they weren't in court, and the law does not even require a hearing. All the law requires, in his opinion, is a recommendation of the Superintendent. The Board, by having the hearing, is going further than what the law requires.
Mr. Kessler made a motion to go ahead with the hearing and if an impasse is reached, the Board could decide what action to take at that time. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barfield. After Dr. Beasley suggested that the motion be shortened, and Mr. Wright asked Mr. Kessler if that was agreeable, he wanted the motion restated to simply: to proceed with the hearing. After discussion by several board members, Mr. Shadoin called for the question. Mr. Barfield seconded Mr. Kessler's restated motion.
Voting for the motion: Mr. Barfield, Mrs. Braggs, Dr. Beasley, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, and Mr. Wright.
Voting against the motion: Mr. Mack and Mr. Shadoin.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Tuten.
This show of hands vote resulted in 9 for, 2 against, and 1 absent; therefore, the motion carried to proceed with the hearing.
Mr. Barham wanted the minutes to reflect, verbatim, his objection "to the Board's voting to proceed with the hearing without a delay and giving us an opportunity to provide for rebuttal on the grounds that it is not due process and on the grounds that it violates the Board's own procedure."
Attorney Smith stated that "it did not prohibit rebuttal information, it simply prohibited the calling of witnesses."
At this point Mr. Howard Whitlock provided background information. As several board members were not on the Board for the entire 94-95 school year, he began in September of 1994 describing events that led to the hearing. He then read several letters from parents, a witness, and a principal concerning Mrs. Brumett. Mr. Barham asked several questions of Mr. Whitlock.
As it appeared to Mr. Barham that the March incident was the major factor that lead to the recommendation not to renew Mrs. Brumett's contract, he explained the events of that day in detail. A lengthy period of questions and comments followed with Mr. Mack asking if Mr. Whitlock would recommend to the Superintendent, as a compromise, that Mrs. Brumett change routes. Mr. Whitlock said she was offered a change before that she would not accept; therefore, he was going to stand behind his recommendation to not renew Mrs. Brumett's contract.
Ms. Jean Hendricks, bus driver representing District 5, asked to speak. She told the Board that one thing that had not been mentioned was the fact that children and parents have rules that they are supposed to go by. In her experience, "if a bus driver makes waves, they are going to get that bus driver's job." She strongly urged the staff and Board to closely evaluate a substitute bus drivers' performance so that future problems could be avoided.
Mr. Wright suggested that it was time for the Board to make a decision regarding Mrs. Brumett and if there was sufficient evidence, that it was time to make a change.
A motion was made by Mr. Barfield to uphold the recommendation of the Supervisor of Transportation and the Superintendent to not renew the contract of Mrs. Leila Brumett. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dowling.
Voting for the motion: Mr. Barfield, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, and Mr. Wright.
Voting against the motion: Mr. Mack and Mr. Wilkerson.
Abstaining from voting: Mrs. Braggs and Dr. Beasley.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Tuten.
This roll call vote resulted in 7 for, 2 against, 2 abstaining, and 1 absent; therefore, the motion carried.
Mr. Shadoin immediately moved to adjourn and there being no further business, the Board decided by acclamation to do so at 6:31 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President