LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 5, 1995 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 5, 1995 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, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mrs. Loyace Braggs, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham (arrived after the meeting started), Mr. Rob Shadoin (arrived after the meeting started), Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
No members were absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Barfield. Mr. Wright welcomed guests, members of the staff, and press.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Mr. Shadoin arrived at 6:02 p.m.
Although not on the agenda, President Wright requested an update on the fire that had occurred in the Ruston High School auditorium at approximately 4:00 that morning. Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services; Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager; and Mr. Randy Moore, Principal; gave brief reports. There was extensive damage to the interior of the auditorium where the fire seemed to be contained; band instruments in the auditorium in preparation for a Christmas program were also destroyed; and damage would have been much more extensive without the efficient, professional manner in which local fire departments, including volunteers, and the police department handled the situation. The fire marshall has been to the scene, collected samples and will have information at a later time. All electrical systems in the auditorium at the present time are safe, the fire alarm is functioning, and two-way communication has been restored; therefore, school (which had been cancelled for the day) was to be held Wednesday, 12-6-95. Ms. Roy answered questions regarding insurance coverage, deductible, etc. Dr. Cobb and Mr. Moore expressed appreciation to the fire departments, the police department, and our bus drivers, with Transportation Supervisor Howard Whitlock's help who made a very unfortunate situation much better than it could have been.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 7, 1995 as distributed.
Mr. Randy Moore recognized track coach, Mr. Dave Anderson. Coach Anderson introduced his boys and girls cross country teams to the Board. Mr. Moore expressed his pride in them and saluted their commitment to their sport. Superintendent Gerald Cobb presented the coach and boys team with a plaque in recognition of winning the Class AAAAA Boys Cross Country State title. It was noted that the girls placed 3rd which is a first for a girls team from North Louisiana. He, along with Mr. Wright, commended the group of young people for doing such a fine job. They were encouraged to keep up the good work.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to accept the following requests. Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented item 1., Mr. Whitlock presented 2. and 3., and Mr. Owens presented 4. in the absence of Ms. Brenda Theodos, School Food Services.
1. Resignation of Virginie Gore, French teacher at Simsboro, effective January 12, 1996.
2. Resignation of Frederick Buggs, Grambling bus driver, effective August 1, 1995.
3. Employment of Greg Young as a bus driver effective December 1, 1995, replacing Frederick Buggs who resigned.
4. Resignation of Lorenzo Williams as school food service technician at Grambling High School effective November 27, 1995.
5. Randy Moore presented this personnel agenda item which was to consider the termination of a custodial employee. He distributed information which he felt was pertinent to the recommendation. The employee in question was not present at the meeting.
Therefore, the Board, upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mrs. Braggs, unanimously voted to enter into executive session at 6:20 p.m. (Mr. Mitcham entered the meeting as the Board was going into executive session.)
At 6:31 p.m. the Board decided by acclamation to go back into regular session.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuten to uphold the recommendation of Mr. Moore, Mr. Owens, and Dr. Cobb to terminate Mr. Charles Perry, custodian at Ruston High School.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Dowling.
Voting for the motion: Mr. Barfield, Dr. Beasley, Mr. Mack, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, Mr. Tuten, and Mr. Wright.
Voting against the motion was: Mrs. Braggs
The result of this roll call vote was 11 for, 1 against; therefore, the motion carried.
6. The final personnel item was to consider the reassignment of a head football coach. Mr. Wright asked if an open or closed session was desired. Open session was chosen by Mr. Billy Gillum.
Mr. Randy Moore read an opening statement in which he said there was nothing personal in his decision to recommend reassignment, nor was Gillum's character or integrity in question. He reminded the Board that last year he expressed a desire to evaluate the football program for one year and that is what he has done. His decision was based upon Gillum's ongoing negative attitude about the football program and the future of Ruston High School in general and intense opposition from Gillum's colleagues, players' parents and the community. He concluded with the recommendation to reassign Head Football Coach Gillum to other duties at Ruston High School effective December 6, 1995.
Mr. Gillum thanked the Board for the opportunity to come before them and reminded the Board of what had transpired, in his opinion, up to the present time. In rebuttal to Mr. Moore's reasons for his recommendation, he said that the RHS Booster Club has raised a record amount of monies during the current year. That fact, he felt, indicated that there was not dissatisfaction with the football program. He admitted that he had "stepped on some colleagues' toes to help his kids," and may have caused some frustration. He further stated that he has a problem with the recommendation coming from Mr. Moore. He was unaware of the pending recommendation, he says, until November and based on the good relationship between the two of them, he believes Mr. Moore would have addressed any problems he perceived earlier in the season. He ended with a plea to the Board to allow him to finish the job he has been doing.
Mr. Wright said the Board could ask questions of Mr. Moore or Mr. Gillum at this point. A period of comments, questions, and rebuttal ensued. Dr. Beasley suggested that some of the numerous visitors be allowed to express their opinions. Mr. Wright stated that he preferred to deal with those who had spoken and not to move in that direction. He recommended that the Board proceed on the basis of testimony heard and at some point decide through a vote. When Mr. Wright felt the Board had reached a point where they were prepared to make a decision regarding Coach Gillum he asked if the Board would support the administration's recommendation relating to Mr. Gillum.
A motion was offered at this time by Mrs. Braggs to accept the recommendation of the administration to reassign Mr. Gillum from Ruston High School head football coaching duties to other full time duties. Mr. Dowling seconded the motion. The roll call vote on the motion resulted in an 11-1 vote in support of the motion.
Voting for the motion: Mr. Barfield, Dr. Beasley, Mrs. Braggs, Mr. Mack, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, Mr. Tuten, and Mr. Wright.
Voting against the motion: Mr. Kessler.
Mr. Abrahm requested and Mr. Wright honored his request for a brief recess.
Ms. Roy reported that $7,193.00 was recovered by audits during the month of November, 1995. She reminded members that this revenue is on a one-time basis and cannot be counted on. Sales tax receipts for the same month reflected an increase in the 1967 and 1979 collections of $17,214.04. Collections in the 1993 fund also showed an increase of $10,328.41. These are up 6% for the month and 4% for the year. December salary supplement checks went out with the December payroll checks.
She asked the Board to look at the shaded area on the October, 1995 financial statement to see the fund balances. As always, funds based on ad valorem taxes have gone down and will continue to do so until collection begins again. She noted that the adult education fund is in the red but those amounts are paid out and then reimbursed. Everything else is in good shape. A brief discussion followed regarding monies for rebuilding the auditorium at Ruston High School.
Next on the agenda was consideration of a poll vote taken during the week of November 6, 1995 requesting permission to accept the low bid of Triad Builders for repair work on the foundation of Cypress Springs Elementary School. Eleven board members were contacted and they unanimously approved the acceptance of the low bid from Triad Builders.
Upon the motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the poll vote authorizing the repair of the foundation at Cypress Springs Elementary School by Triad Builders of Ruston for $26,000.00.
Dr. Cobb informed the Board that the Policy Review Service has submitted the following policies for Board adoption and inclusion in our Lincoln Parish Policy Manual: Parental Involvement Policy (Title 1) (IFD), Title 1 Grievance and Appeal Procedure (IFD-P), Class Rankings (IHC), and Administration of Medications (JGCD). All of the policies, which have been checked for compliance with applicable state and federal laws, have been examined previously by the Board in presentations by Mr. Suggs, Mr. Willie Washington, or Mrs. Sallie Evans.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Braggs, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Parental Involvement Policy (Title 1), Title 1 Grievance and Appeal Procedure, Class Rankings, and Administration of Medications policies for inclusion in our Lincoln Parish Policy Manual.
Dr. Cobb reported that with the passage of Act 1292 of the 1995 Louisiana Legislature, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:416 has been revised to expand the prohibition of a student possessing a firearm on school buses and at school sponsored events in addition to school property. When a student is found guilty of possession of a weapon, including a firearm, following an appropriate administrative hearing, the school system is statutorily required to expel the student for a certain length of time. The Board is also now required to refer the student to the District Attorney for appropriate action. Some additional provisions of Act 1292 require a 12 month expulsion for possession of a firearm regardless of the age of the student. Another provision prohibits the expulsion of a student when a firearm or knife is properly stored in a parked, locked vehicle and there are no apparent circumstances evidencing intent to utilize the firearm or knife in a criminal manner. Other revisions dealt with possession of controlled substances with a physician's authorization. He recommended that the Board approve the revised expulsion policy for insertion into the L.P.S.B. policy manual. Members discussed the proposed changes and agreed that allowing students to have firearms or knives in vehicles was not wise and may be superceded by federal law.
Mr. Abrahm moved and Mr. Kessler seconded the motion that the Board submit letters to our State Senator and Representatives stressing the Board's disapproval of the change in Act 1292 allowing weapons in vehicles on school property. It was approved by a unanimous vote of the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Tuten, and the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised expulsion policy to bring it into compliance with the state law.
In the Report of the Superintendent, he said he had never been more pleased with the Board and their fairness, openness, willingness to consider what is brought before them, courage, and then the intestinal fortitude to do what is right and to make tough decisions.
After brief comments from members and Mr. Wright expressing pride in the manner the members dealt with a difficult matter, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 8:12 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President