LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, February 6, 1996 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 6, 1996 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. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Allen Tuten (arrived after the meeting started), and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent was Mr. Curtis Dowling.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Barfield. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests, members of the staff, and media.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Braggs, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 17, 1996.
Vocational Supervisor Ms. Barbara Kirkland recognized Lincoln Parish teachers who have been selected to receive Louisiana School-to-Work Opportunities Grants. Three out of 25 teacher product grants (up to $2,000 each) for classroom teachers to design were awarded to Cathi Cox, Choudrant High, and Lisa Taylor and Dawna Keys, both of Ruston High. These ladies briefly explained their plans. In addition, the state Design Team approved 15 local demonstration projects (up to $7,500 each) for a school and an industry to map out a course of study that links secondary education/training with employment. Ruston High teachers, Donna White, Kay Bradford, and Terri Johnson received 1 of these 15. Ms. Johnson, chairperson, shared information concerning the group's project. Lincoln Parish is also a partner in a multi-parish partnership project that is 1 of 6 regional grants (up to $25,000) approved by the Design Team. This grant will provide funds to develop a career unit of study at Ruston Jr. High and Applied Academy training for Choudrant High teachers. Ms. Kirkland said Lincoln Parish may be the only parish involved in all 3 types of grants given out by the state. Superintendent Gerald Cobb and Mr. Wright re-emphasized the competitiveness of statewide grants, appreciate the remarkable numbers awarded to Lincoln Parish, and congratulated these teachers and Ms. Kirkland.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to employ Ms. Jackie Risk, effective January 22, 1996, in a new kindergarten position at Hico Elementary. This was recommendation was presented by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Mr. Howard Whitlock, Transportation Supervisor, was to present the second personnel agenda item but the bus driver in question was not present at the meeting; therefore, he requested that the Board enter into executive session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 6:15 p.m to consider the suspension without pay of a bus driver. It was decided by acclamation to consider item #3, the suspension without pay of a custodian, in the same executive session as the employee was neither present nor represented.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to go back into regular session at 6:38 p.m.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to uphold the administration's suspension of a bus driver without pay for 10 days as recommended by Mr. Howard Whitlock.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to uphold the suspension of a custodial worker for 5 days without pay as recommended by Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens.
At this point in the meeting, Mr. Wright welcomed additional visitors that had arrived.
Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager, reported that $20,096 was recovered by audits during the month of January, 1996 but reiterated that this is money "we may not see again." The sales tax receipts for the same month reflected an increase in the 1967 and 1979 collections of $2,199. Collections in the 1993 sales tax fund also showed an increase of $1,319. These are up .7% for the month as opposed to 17.7% for the same month last year. They are up 4.8% for the year.
Ms. Roy called to Board's attention to the shaded line on the December, 1995 financial statement. She has stopped paying anything from the Ruston, Simsboro, and Dubach Maintenance and Operation Funds.
As requested at a previous meeting, Secondary Supervisor Dr. Charles Scriber gave the Board a Goals 2000 Grant update. The technology lab at Ruston High is in the final stages of completion. The lab consists of a 15 station computer network. On site training for teachers and librarians will begin February 27. The suspension room at Lincoln Center has been in operation since October 1. The number of students opting for the suspension room averages about 5 per week, a large majority of which are from elementary schools. A recommendation for its continuation next year has not been made at this point. Through the lending library portion of the grant, 5 copies of 52 different children's books have been purchased. These may be checked out by parents through the Media Center. Workshops and seminars will continue to be funded for professional development, discipline, and self esteem. Monies not spent elsewhere will be spent on supplies for the schools. Goals 2000 funding is for 1 year at a time. Dr. Scriber gave much credit to RHS librarian, Ms. Wanda Mitchell; Mr. Ray Bratton, Principal of Lincoln Center; and Ms. Toya Holiday, teacher in the suspension room, for their help in implementing these programs.
Mr. Wright reminded the Board that at their November 7, 1995 meeting Ms. Sandra Henderson, Principal of Ruston Junior High School, was asked to review the school's "No Bookbag" policy and report back to the Board. Ms. Henderson said a meeting of parents, faculty, and students was held Monday, January 29, 1996 to discuss the policy. She shared suggestions and comments made by the committee and concluded with a decision to allow the current policy to remain in effect until the end of this school year. Beginning with the 96-97 school year students will be allowed to use completely mesh bookbags or backpacks, preferably red or white. They will be available at local stores and in the school office.
Mr. Tuten arrived at 6:58 p.m., during Ms. Henderson's update.
After questions from a parent who was in attendance, upon a motion by Mrs. Braggs, seconded by Mr. Wilkerson, the Board unanimously voted to accept the recommendation from Ruston Junior High School revising their "No bookbag" policy beginning with the 96-97 school year to allow completely mesh bookbags or backpacks.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve Governor Mike Foster's proclamation declaring February 11-17, 1996 as Vocational Education Week in the State of Louisiana. Dr. Cobb said Lincoln Parish is "ahead of the pack" on Schools-to-Work due primarily to Ms. Barbara Kirkland's leadership.
The last item to come before was an appeal of a student recommended for expulsion. Mr. Wright asked the parent or representative if an open or closed session was preferred. Social Service's representative, Mr. Brian Allen, requested a closed session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session at 7:13 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Braggs, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to return to regular session at 8:48 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board by a 9-2 voice vote agreed to uphold the administration's recommendation of expulsion of Jermichael Sims for 12 calendar months.
Voting no: Mr. Mack and Mr. Wilkerson.
Absent and not voting: Mr. Dowling.
After brief comments from members and Superintendent Cobb telling members the March meeting would begin at 5:45 p.m. in order to take a new group picture, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 9:00 p.m.
___________________________________ _______________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President