LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, October 16, 1996   12:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 16, 1996 at 12:30 p.m. at Ruston Junior High School.  Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm,  Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.

Members absent were Mr. Wayne Barfield, Ms. Loyace Braggs, and Mr. Allen Tuten.

Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.

President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mitcham.  Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and made brief comments expressing his pride in Lincoln Parish after recent visits to other systems.

Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Principal of Ruston Junior High School, Ms. Sandra Henderson, welcomed board members and guests to her school whose faculty works hard to make it one of the best in the country.  She thanked the Board for support in various projects but specifically for portable buildings in the back of the school which alleviated floating teachers, a covered walkway on the east side of the building, and for agreeing to build a covered walkway on the south side of the building.  Ms. Henderson invited members to walk around the building at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:

                        Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board voted 8-1 to approve the following requests presented by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Mr. Wilkerson was opposed to the motion.

1.               Resignation of Mike Canterbury effective October 4, 1996 as a social studies teacher/coach at Simsboro.

2.               Employment of Robert Bratton, effective November 4, 1996, as a social studies teacher/coach at Simsboro, replacing Mike Canterbury.

Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, updated the Board on the Ruston High School auditorium which was burned December 5, 1995.  A meeting with the insurance company, Coregis, was held last Friday.  A $1.5 million dollar settlement was agreed upon for the building.  Once a check has been received the contractor will be contacted.  He anticipates construction to begin November 1 with a 210 day completion projection.  Superintendent Gerald Cobb said Coregis has been very cooperative.  A brief period of questions ensued.                      

After Mr. Wright introduced the next agenda item which was the approval of a Bus Safety Week proclamation, Dr. Cobb requested that Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Howard Whitlock, also update the Board on various aspects of the transportation department such as safety and training.  Mr. Whitlock shared interesting information with the Board which included numbers of board-owned and driver-owned buses, safety items not required by law but installed on most of the Lincoln Parish buses such as strobe lights and video camera boxes, numerous steps involved in becoming a bus driver, alcohol and drug testing, paperwork required of drivers, and the biggest problem drivers face which is discipline.  He was pleased to inform members that he had no bus drivers test positive for drugs or alcohol in the three years of testing.  In order to recognize and show appreciation to the dedicated, transportation employees, he recommended that the Board approve a proclamation from Governor Foster declaring October 20-25, 1996 as School Bus Safety Week.

Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the proclamation from Governor Foster declaring October 20-25, 1996 as School Bus Safety Week.

A period of comments and questions on various subjects followed the vote.  One of the topics of discussion was the strobe lights which had been installed on the top of all board-owned buses.   Mr. Whitlock said they were offered to the owners of the other buses at the low cost of $52 with installation done by the transportation mechanic at no cost to the driver.  Approximately 4 of the 23 contract drivers opted to purchase them.  After commenting on their worth, Mr. Kessler suggested that the Board require the contract drivers to have them installed on their buses.  President Wright asked Dr. Cobb for his comments regarding requiring the lights.  He said since the pilot program with the strobe lights seemed to work so well, if the Board so desired, lights could be installed on all of the driver-owned buses with reimbursement paid to those who had previously purchased lights.  Mr. Abrahm suggested that in the future contract drivers be required to have strobe lights on their buses.  Appreciation was expressed to Mr. Whitlock for the good job he does.  

Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to empower the administration to install strobe lights on all contract buses.

In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb:

                        1.   Reminded members of two engagements October 21 with State Superintendent of Education, Mr. Cecil Picard: an 11:45 a.m. luncheon at Ryan's and the Academic Awards Banquet at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center.

                        2.   Said information was in portfolios regarding the Louisiana School Board Association's upcoming convention.  He requested that the form be completed and turned in to his office so reservations could be made.

After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m.

___________________________________        _____________________________

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                           David Wright, President