LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 6, 1996 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 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, Ms. Loyace Braggs, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin (left the meeting early), Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent was Dr. Marty Beasley.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Shadoin gave the invocation. Mr. Wright welcomed special guests, members of the staff including principals, and media. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with the addition of a personnel addendum.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 2, 1996 as distributed.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, said plans are underway to expand the Agriscience Program at Ruston High School for the 96-97 school year. This necessitates a need to utilize space in the T & I building and to dispose of two trucks that were used for student instruction in auto mechanics. Auto mechanics will no longer be taught at Ruston High and funds generated from the sale will be used to purchase ag. shop tools and/or equipment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to declare as surplus and dispose of two student instructional vehicles at Ruston High School through the bid process.
Mr. Abrahm requested an update on the agriscience program in the near future. Dr. Cobb said one would be given at the September meeting.
Prior to the personnel committee recommendations, Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a brief report on professional personnel hiring for 96-97. He explained, step by step, the process followed when a certified teacher applies for a job in Lincoln Parish. Statistics regarding the number of applicants interviewed from '92 through '96 were also presented.
Mr. Wright suggested that in order to increase awareness of the interview process for the elementary positions within the city, two weeks prior to the joint elementary interviews an announcement should be placed with the local media. Mr. Suggs said he would do so.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following recommendations, including the items in the addendum, presented by Mr. Suggs:
1. Points of Reference (Transfers) all effective August 21, 1996, except as otherwise noted.
Rochelle Foy from Ruston Junior High/I. A. Lewis to a music position at Choudrant/Simsboro replacing Vicki Allen, sabbatical.
Phillip Thigpen from Hillcrest to Dubach High in a P.E./Coach position to replace Ricky Mitchell who resigned.
Bonnie Singleton from regular education at Cypress Springs to a gifted/talented position at Hillcrest/Choudrant replacing Gail Nelson who resigned.
Effective August 1, 1996, Brad Smith from Ruston Junior High to Ruston High as social studies teacher/coach replacing William Smith who resigned.
2. Resignation of the following:
Karen Matthews, special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective July 23, 1996.
Ricky Mitchell, P.E./coach at Dubach High School, effective July 15, 1996 .
Rita Barakat, elementary teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective July 18, 1996.
Gail Nelson, gifted/talented teacher at Hillcrest/Choudrant, effective July 22, 1996.
Karen Leachman, special education teacher at Lincoln Center, effective July 16, 1996.
Daniel Moore, psychologist at Lincoln Center, effective August 5, 1996.
Sandra Ameel, counselor at Ruston High School, effective July 2, 1996.
James Powers, science teacher/coach at Ruston High School, effective July 29, 1996.
Sheri Robken, band director at Ruston High School, effective July 30, 1996.
William Smith, health teacher/coach at Ruston High School, effective July 26, 1996.
Jan Norwood, gifted/talented teacher at Ruston Junior High School, effective July 24, 1996.
Julie Keen, math teacher at Simsboro High School, effective July 17, 1996.
Angela Turner, Title I tutor at Lincoln Center, effective July 12, 1996.
3. Retirement of Lindelle Weaver, effective May 31, 1996, as music teacher at Ruston Junior High/I. A. Lewis.
4. Employment of the following persons all effective August, 21, 1996:
Lisa Price, special education teacher at Choudrant Elementary, to replace Karen Matthews, resigned.
Michael Few, replacing social studies teacher at Dubach High Lisa Hanks, who transferred.
Dwight Mitchell, social studies teacher at Dubach High, to replace Jennifer Franks, sabbatical leave.
Leah Hall in a new speech therapist position at Glen View Elementary.
Anita Greenwood, replacing French teacher at Hico/Dubach Kathy Davis, who was granted a lst semester sabbatical leave.
Beth Johnson, special education at Hico Elementary, to replace Angela Mitchell, transferred to regular education.
Felicia Davis, replacing Hillcrest elementary teacher Rita Barakat, who resigned.
Carla Evans, kindergarten teacher at Hillcrest, to replace Sonya Arender, who resigned.
Abigail James, replacing I. A. Lewis elementary teacher Doris Bacon, who resigned.
Toni Kyle, special education teacher at Lincoln Center, to replace Karen Leachman, who resigned.
Kelli Colvin in a new elementary position at Ruston Elementary to be funded with Title I funds.
Peggy Boone, business teacher at Ruston High, to replace David Robinson, who resigned.
Anthony Tisdale, replacing Ruston High social studies teacher/coach Larry Hicks, who resigned.
Gayanne Coleman, English teacher at Ruston Junior High, to replace Charlotte Smith, who resigned.
Patricia Jimenez, replacing Ruston Junior High music teacher Rochelle Foy, who transferred.
Michelle Jones, math teacher at Ruston Junior High, in a new position.
Kathy Steed, replacing P.E. teacher at Ruston Junior High Beth Burns, who resigned.
Patsy Albritton, elementary teacher at Simsboro, to replace Elaine Gaudet, who retired.
Marcia Colvin, replacing math teacher at Simsboro High Julie Keen, who resigned.
Sonja Cardwell, school nurse for the parish, to replace Jo Tatum, who was granted a sabbatical leave.
M'Lee Townsend, replacing social worker at Pupil Appraisal Nancy Wallace, who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Daphne Scott, Title I tutor at Lincoln Center Angela Turner, who resigned.
Mr. Suggs then presented the personnel items needing action that were listed in the addendum.
1. Employment of the following persons all effective August, 21, 1996 except as otherwise noted:
Melinda Thigpen, 1/2 time science at Choudrant High, in a new position.
Lisa Hixon in a new elementary position at Cypress Springs paid with Title I monies.
Teresa Parmley, replacing kindergarten teacher at Cypress Springs Bonnie Singleton, who transferred.
Vanessa Wilson, alternative teacher at Lincoln Center, in a new position.
Marcia Franz in a new 1/2 time applications of communication position at Ruston High.
Dennis Hensley, effective August 5, 1996, replacing Ruston High band director Sheri Robken, who resigned.
Kathy Hughes, chemistry teacher at Ruston High, replacing James Powers who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following faculty recommendations presented by School Food Service Supervisor, Ms. Brenda Theodos:
1. Resignation of Chris Griffin as clerk at Choudrant High School effective May 30, 1996.
2. Retirement of Doretha Gipson as technician at Hillcrest Elementary effective July 31, 1996.
3. Employment of the following, effective August 21, 1996, unless otherwise noted:
Marcie Gray in a new technician position at Glen View Elementary.
Nancy Wilson, effective August 7, 1996, replacing clerk at Grambling High Annie Canty, who transferred.
Karen Otwell as technician at Hillcrest, replacing Henrietta Slaton, who retired.
Amittee Combs, replacing technician at I. A. Lewis Naomi Wilson, who retired.
Karen Welch as clerk at Ruston High effective August 7, 1996, replacing Janice Seaman, who transferred.
President Wright welcomed and recognized Dr. Janie Humphries, Project Director of Lincoln Institutions Networking for Children (LINC), for her report. She thanked the Board for the opportunity to address them and for the help and support of Superintendent Cobb, the school board personnel, and the Lincoln Parish School Board during the past five years. She said LINC has been funded for 96-97 and is currently participating in Phase II of the Excellent Beginning Grant Program for its sixth and final year. Their major objective is to increase the self-esteem of the children to increase the possibility of school success. Interesting information including personnel; mentoring program; 95-96 activities and professional development opportunities provided by LINC; 95-96 activities provided by support groups; and outcomes were briefly mentioned.
It was the consensus of opinion that as much as possible of the worthwhile work that has been started through LINC should be continued. Mr. Wright thanked Dr. Humphries for the excellent work she has done and continues to do for the children of the parish.
Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager, told the Board that $8,042.00 was recovered by the parish auditor during the month of July, 1996. The 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the same month were $312,946.84. This is a $3,371.27 increase over the same month last year, or approximately 1%. Collections for the month in the 1993 fund were $187,767.72. This is a $2,022.63 increase. These figures reflect the same growth percentage. Sales tax collections are up but not quite as much as this time last year. An average growth rate of 16% was realized in 95-96. Mr. Tuten told the Board that the Sales and Use Tax Commission has received monies because of a tax dispute which was resolved out of court. The School Board will be given their allocation in the near future.
Dr. Gerald Cobb said the next information to be presented was the most important test result statistic ever received in Lincoln Parish and is a followup to the previous discussion on personnel. As could be ascertained from the statewide ACT charts mailed to members, Lincoln Parish, at 20.6, is tied with St. Tammany parish for the number one spot in the state. Last year St. Tammany ranked number one and Lincoln Parish ranked fourth. He reminded members that the ACT is a test which measures the cumulative impact of a system's K - 12 instructional program and is administered in a neutral site by trained, impartial test personnel. Making this even more unique for Lincoln Parish is the fact that we have the largest percentage of students taking the test in the state at 75% and a high percentage, 53%, of our students are classified as "at risk." These two factors should reduce our score but evidently have not. Also shared was a five year summary chart which gave an excellent idea of how the system is doing when compared with other systems over a longer period of time. Dr. Cobb said he is very pleased with the sustained improvement in this area. He called attention to a recent Times' article on Northwest Louisiana CAT scores which reported that Lincoln Parish still leads the area on these state administered tests. "Achievement such as our ACT or CAT scores is a tremendous statement as to the job our students, teachers, principals, and supervisors are doing," Dr. Cobb said. "We are in the business of students, not education. These type of results do not happen by accident or isolation," he continued, "but take a great team effort." Another major factor in this achievement, in Dr. Cobb's opinion, is a Board which realizes that the most important outcomes of a school system are student learning and achievement. He closed by telling the Board that this is the proudest moment he has ever had as Superintendent of Lincoln Parish schools because of the achievement of students.
Mr. Tuten requested that Dr. Cobb send a copy of the ACT/CAT score information to the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Cobb said that would be done.
Secondary Supervisor, Dr. Charles Scriber, told the Board of a plan, Netday96, to wire every public school in Lincoln Parish for connecting to the Internet at no cost to taxpayers. He went through the process to be used beginning with volunteers descending on the schools and in one day, Saturday, October 19, running the wiring, making the connections, and testing the equipment necessary to bring the information highway into the schools. This major undertaking will bring public schools together with private partners to make the biggest leap forward in technology and learning potential in history. This volunteer, nonprofit project is designed to tap students' potential to learn by expanding the amount of information available to them a million-fold. Businesses will be asked to donate approximately $400 to buy kits necessary to wire schools. This $400 is not for the purchase of hubs and routers, but for wiring and connectors. Skilled volunteers will be sought to provide the labor to install the wiring and perhaps some equipment. Schools going through the traditional engineering, bid, and contract process could expect to pay up to $2,250 per classroom. According to this plan, companies and individuals donate time; expertise; use of equipment such as ladders, drills, and saws; and funds to make Netday a success. At the end of day on October 19, the goal is to have at least the library and 5 classrooms at each of the 13 public schools and 4 lab schools in the parish prepared to connect to the Internet.
Board members enthusiastically heard this report and there was much discussion, comments, and questions about the project.
At the July 2, 1996 meeting of the Board authorization was given to advertise for bids for the rebuilding of the Ruston High School auditorium, Mr. Charles Owens reminded the Board. A fire destroyed the auditorium on December 5, 1995. Bids were opened Monday, August 5, 1996 and seven qualified bids were received. A brief period of discussion was held. Mr. Mike Walpole, architect on the project, was present and pleased to participate in the discussion. Mr. Owens recommended the acceptance of the low bid, which also had the earliest completion date.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the low bid of $1,240,000.00 from Lincoln Builders of Ruston contingent upon resolving the concerns of the State Fire Marshal and negotiating the bid amount with the insurance company. The insurance company requires a justification of the bid amount by line item.
In the past year the Internet has become available to a few of our schools through special grants, Dr. Scriber informed the Board. Through its use it has become apparent that an acceptable use policy for all computer users, including the Internet users, is needed. After considering rules, guidelines, and policies used in systems nationwide, policies have been written for faculty use of the school computer systems and for student use of the same. These were presented for informational purposes only with a vote to be taken at the September regular meeting of the Board.
Suspension and expulsion policy revisions were also presented to the Board for their consideration until the September meeting. Dr. Cobb said the passage of Act 74, amending La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:416, of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 1996 LA Legislature, is a result of complaints by school officials over a previous provision prohibiting the suspension of a student when a firearm or knife is properly stored in a parked, locked vehicle in the absence of circumstances evidencing intent to utilize them in a criminal manner. Act 74 removed the prohibition on expelling or suspending a student and clarified the situation by adding a provision to the statute that gives total discretion to school officials to impose any disciplinary action on a pupil for possession of a firearm or knife on school property stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence that the pupil will use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President