LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, July 2, 1996 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 2, 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, Dr. Marty Beasley, Ms. 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 was Mr. Wayne Barfield.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Mitcham gave the invocation. Mr. Wright welcomed guests including Dr. Clark and members of her administration class from G.S.U., members of the official staff, and media. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 4, 1996 as distributed.
Dr. Charles Scriber, Secondary Supervisor, reminded the Board that each year the system must submit a revised copy of their Pupil Progression Plan to the State Department of Education for their approval. Dr. Scriber recommended approval of the document, which addresses placement, promotion, and grading of students, and was revised as follows:
1. Students who have limited English proficiency must be given opportunities to succeed in language arts, math, science, and social studies. (This is a clarification of what is already being done in Lincoln Parish.)
2. Students who come from a home school program must have spent at least one semester in a state approved home study program before being considered for promotion in public school.
3. In schools which have 7 period days, students who have earned 10 credits will be classified as juniors. (Heretofore, they have been classified as sophomores.)
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 96-97 Pupil Progression Plan.
Because the Board, at their May 7, 1996 meeting granted permission to advertise for 8 used school buses, 5 older school buses are no longer needed, Mr. Howard Whitlock, Transportation Supervisor, told the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to declare 5 older school buses as surplus, advertise, and sell to the highest bidder for use other than transporting students.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, said plans for rebuilding the Ruston School Auditorium are finished and have been submitted to various agencies such as the Fire Marshal and the Health Department for approval. Completion of this process is anticipated within two weeks. He requested permission to advertise for bids for the rebuilding of the auditorium.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Ms. Braggs, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the rebuilding of the Ruston High School auditorium.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Ms. Braggs, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board voted 10-1 to grant/accept the following requests presented by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Wilkerson was opposed to the motion.
1. Resignation of Maribel Childress, elementary teacher at Hillcrest, effective May 31, 1996.
Resignation, effective June 17, 1996, of Larry Hicks, social studies/coach at Ruston High School.
Resignation of David Robinson, business teacher at Ruston High, effective May 31, 1996.
Resignation, effective May 31, 1996, of Beth Burns, P.E./coach at Ruston Junior High.
Resignation of James Pogue, science teacher at Simsboro, effective May 31, 1996.
2. Requests for sabbatical leave for the 1st semester of 96-97, effective August 21, 1996, which meet all state and local guidelines for:
J. P. Dunbar, P.E. teacher at Hico.
Leigh Traylor, special education teacher at Lincoln
Vicki Colvin, music teacher at Simsboro/Choudrant.
3. Points of Reference (Transfers) all effective August 21, 1996, except as otherwise noted.
J. P. Dunbar from Ruston High to a P.E. position at Hico replacing Debbie Key, sabbatical.
Shai Garrett from Glen View to elementary position at Hillcrest replacing Maribel Childress, resigned.
Billy Gillum from Ruston High to a P.E. position at Hillcrest replacing Phillip Thigpen, transferred.
Effective August 7, 1996, Diane Soper from Glen View to social worker position at Lincoln Center replacing Nancy Wallace, sabbatical.
Kelly Caldwell from Cypress Springs to a kindergarten position at Ruston Elementary replacing Pam Plummer, sabbatical.
Effective August 1, 1996, Shannon Aultman from Ruston Junior High to a social studies/coaching position at Ruston High replacing Shannon Frasier, transferred.
Shannon Frasier from Ruston High to a social studies/coaching position at Ruston Junior High replacing Shannon Aultman, transferred.
Lisa Hanks from Dubach High to a language arts position at Ruston Junior High replacing Sue Jones, sabbatical.
Nancy Giesse from Simsboro to a new special education position at Ruston High School.
4. Employment of James Sandifer, vocational agriculture teacher at Dubach High, effective July 1, 1996, to replace James Smith, resigned.
Effective August 1, 1996, the employment of Eric Parmley as P.E./Coach at Ruston High replacing J. P. Dunbar who transferred.
Employment of Demise Loyd in a new suspension room/coach position at Ruston High, effective August 1, 1996.
Effective August 1, 1996, the employment of Glenn Hunt as social studies/coach at Ruston High replacing David Klick who resigned.
Employment of Ed Colvin, math/coach at Ruston High, effective August 1, 1996, to replace two half time positions that were eliminated. Previous employees were Roger Haynes and Shannon Brewster.
Effective August 21, 1996, the employment of Mike Canterbury as social studies/coach at Simsboro replacing James Pogue who resigned.
Interesting information regarding the fourth Title I Summer Enrichment Program was shared by Supervisor Jackie Whitlock. One hundred and forty kindergarten through sixth graders participated in 90 minute sessions Monday-Friday, June 17-July 12 at Glen View Elementary School. Whole language activities, role-playing, manipulatives, computer-assisted instruction, and other non-traditional classroom activities were used to reinforce reading and math skills learned in the classroom during the past year. Another goal was to provide positive experiences for students to continue to use these skills so that the students will return to school in the fall with a stronger background in reading and math. Parents were encouraged to join their child each Friday for a parent-child reading program directed by Ms. Sallie Evans, Parental Involvement Coordinator. Any student who attended a Title I Schoolwide school or was eligible for Title I services at a Target Assistance school was eligible for the summer program. Non-Title I students could register if space was available. Ms. Whitlock felt like this may have been the most successful year so far and has received many positive comments.
Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager, told the Board that $1,717.22 was recovered by the parish auditor during the month of June, 1996. This brings the total sales tax revenue recovered by audits to $97,338.89 for the year. The 1967 and 1979 sales tax receipts for the same month were $241,385.73 which is a decrease of about 7% over last month. Total '67 and '79 sales tax collections for the year are $248,168.52 which is an 8% increase over last year. Collections for the month in the 1993 fund were $144,831.15. This is a reduction of $10,119.17. These figures reflect the same decreased percentages. Supplement checks went out as planned with June payroll checks, Ms. Roy reported.
A financial update for the month ending May, 1996, was also presented by Ms. Roy. After calling attention to the most important line, the shaded area, which gives fund balances, she said fund balances are basically in the same position as this time last year. The child nutrition fund is showing a deficit because of over investment but is expected to even out this month. Utilities are still being paid out of the maintenance and operation funds.
Mr. Howard Whitlock reiterated that authorization was given at their May 7, 1996 meeting to advertise for eight, used school buses. He recommended acceptance of the only bid submitted, that being from Ross Bus Sales.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Ross Bus & Equipment Sales for eight 1992 school buses at $27,975.00 each.
Mr. Charles Owens said that authorization was also given at the May 7, 1996 meeting to advertise for bids on materials and supplies for the 96-97 school year. He recommended the acceptance of the lowest bid meeting specifications for each item to be purchased.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to accept the lowest bid meeting specifications for the purchase of materials and supplies for the 96-97 school year as shown below:
Company Submitting Bid Gasoline & Diesel
E. Lee Young Unleaded Regular Cost + .0699 gallon
Unleaded Plus Cost + .0699 gallon
Unleaded Premium Cost + .0699 gallon
Diesel Low Sulfur Cost + .0699 gallon
FuelMan-Central Oil & Supply Reg. Off Road Diesel Cost + .10 gallon
Resource Net 200 Cases Toilet Tissue
Price Per Case: $26.69
Total for 200 Cases: $5,338.00
450 Cases Paper Towels
Price Per Case: $10.94
Total for 450 Cases: $4,923.00
Home Oil Company 576 Gallons Duplicator Fluid
Price Per Gallon: $2.74
Total for 576 Gallons: $1,578.24
Unisource 125 Cases Thermal Masters
Price Per Case: $73.50
Total for 125 Cases: $9,187.50
Superintendent Cobb said appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken when violations of the Board's sexual harassment policy were determined to be valid were not specified in the present policy. Possible disciplinary actions were added and presented at the June meeting. He recommended that the Board approve the revised sexual harassment policy which was introduced at the June 4, 1996 regular meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised sexual harassment policy.
Ms. Roy discussed the Systems Survey and Compliance questionnaire which is a document that states that the auditors have examined records to determine if they are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals. These standards are tested during the routine audits of the school board's records. The questionnaire is required by the Legislative Auditor to be presented to the Board and she recommended its adoption.
Upon a motion by Ms. Braggs, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Systems Survey and Compliance questionnaire as presented.
In a report of the Superintendent, he called attention to the list of Board meeting dates for 96-97 and the location of the 3 meetings to be held in the schools.
There was a request by one member for an update on the Parent Involvement Center, which Mr. Owens responded to.
Mr. Wright said that prior to the meeting, Dr. Clark had requested permission for her class to question the Board. He turned the meeting over to her at which point she thanked Mr. Wright and the Board for allowing them to attend the meeting. After each student's introduction, there was a lengthy period of questions, comments and discussion with the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President