LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION
Thursday, September 21, 1995 4:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Thursday, September 21, 1995 at 4:00 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, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley (arrived at 4:03), Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent: none.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mrs. Braggs. Mr. Wright welcomed guests, members of the staff, and media.
Prior to the meeting the Building and Grounds Committee met and at this point in the meeting Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Mack, asked Mr. Al Brasuell to present a brief outline of his request, which was approved by the committee, regarding a small portion of Ruston High School's property.
Mr. Brasuell's attorney, Mr. Ray Madden, told the Board that Mr. Brasuell plans to build a business establishment on his property which adjoins Ruston High School with a wall separating the two. He requests a 75 foot temporary easement along the southwesterly side of Ruston High for construction purposes for a term of approximately 9 months. This land would be tapered on a 2-to-1 slope down to Ruston High School. He also would like a 5 foot permanent easement for wall maintenance purposes which would have a clean, neat, smooth, "dressed" appearance when the project is completed. Mr. Brasuell would be responsible for any injuries incurred on either easement during the construction period. Bushes and hedges, approved by both parties, would be planted along the length of the wall to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the property. Approximately $800 would be netted by the Board as about 40 trees would be cut and cleared at Mr. Brasuell's expense. Several board members had comments or questions relative to the proposal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the President of the Board or Superintendent Gerald Cobb to enter into an agreement with Mr. Al Brasuell, after the Board attorney looked over the document, granting Mr. Brasuell's request for a 75 foot temporary easement and a 5 foot permanent easement along the side of Ruston High School property.
Superintendent Cobb reminded the Board that on September 3, 1991 the Board approved a resolution requesting a study concerning the need for an interchange where Highway 818 intersects I-20 by Ruston Junior High School and the realignment of Highway 818 for safety reasons. This resolution was not acted on or approved by the Department of Transportation. Mayor Hilda Perritt has requested that the governmental agencies of Lincoln Parish again ask that this study and work be requested by the various governing bodies of the agencies.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Interstate 20 and Highway 818 interchange resolution.
Business Manager, Ms. Pam Roy, said in November of 1989 the parish elected to withdraw from the State Insurance Program and enter into a self-funded plan. Lincoln Parish is approaching its 7th year in the program and although there has not been a rate increase since the inception of the program, benefits have increased with additional services such as the prescription drug program. In the past 2 years, because of a number of very large claims, the reserves in the plan have decreased to the point that the Third Party Administrators have advised us that we should consider making some benefit changes to ensure the continued success and stability of the program. The Insurance Committee met on Wednesday, September 6, 1995 and voted to recommend that the Board implement the suggestions of the claims administrator.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, and based on the recommendation of the Insurance Committee and the Third Party Administrator, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following changes to the self-funded insurance program: 1) increase the calendar year deductible from $200 to $300 per person with a maximum of 3 deductibles per family; 2) change prescription drug charges from $0 for generic and $8 for name brand to $3 for generic and $10 for name brand; and 3) increase premiums 20%.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:28 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President