LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, December 3, 1996 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 3, 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, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Allen Tuten (arrived after the meeting began), and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent was Mrs. Loyace Braggs.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mack. Mr. Wright welcomed special guests, members of the staff, and media. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda, as amended, with the addition of a sabbatical request for the Personnel Committee and one item of New Business: Ratify the poll vote adopting a resolution declaring an emergency at Simsboro School.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on November 12, 1996 as printed.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented items 1., 2., 3., and the addendum; and Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented 4.:
1. Sabbatical leave request for the second semester of 96-97, effective January 21, 1997 for Shari Scriber, teacher at Choudrant Elementary.
Mr. Suggs said this meets all of the local and state guidelines for sabbatical leave.
2. Employment of the following:
Gloria Garner as a teacher at Choudrant Elementary, effective January 21, 1997 replacing Shari Scriber who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Dorreen Heard, effective November 4, 1996, as a teacher at Hico Elementary replacing Pat Stevens who resigned.
Tracy Calcote as a Pre-kindergarten/kindergarten P. E. teacher at Lincoln Center, effective January 6, 1997, to replace Wanda Wilson who resigned.
Lisa Thigpen, effective January 21, 1997, as a teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Suzy Holstead who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Donna Walters as a teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective January 21, 1997, to replace Kathy League who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Tami Wallace, effective November 14, 1996, as a new Title I Tutor at Glen View Elementary.
Carla Howard as a teacher aide at Ruston Elementary, effective November 4, 1996, replacing Carolyn Jones who resigned.
3. Sabbatical leave request, effective November 28, 1996 to June 30, 1997, for Jackie Whitlock, Title I Supervisor.
4. Employment of Lonnie B. Davis, effective December 2, 1996, as a custodian at Ruston High replacing Fannie Jordan who is out on sick leave.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the requests and recommendations.
Secondary Supervisor, Dr. Charles Scriber, shared a four phase plan to connect each school to the Internet. The steps included: 1) Category 5 wiring, 2) Routers and hubs, 3) Servers and computers, and 4) Phone lines. He reminded the Board that Phase I of the plan, which was the Net Day project, had been completed and was a tremendous success. In order to complete Phase II, routers, hubs, and DSU devices, which will enable schools to connect to the Internet provider by way of phone lines, will have to be purchased for each school. Approximately $33,000 in Title I monies will be used to fund the project which will be supplemented by about $30,000 from the LEARN grant. Dr. Scriber requested permission to advertise for bids for routers, hubs, and DSU units.
Mr. Tuten arrived during Dr. Scriber's report.
After brief questions and comments, upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for routers, hubs, and DSU units in order to complete Phase II of the Internet Project.
Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager, told the Board that $1,612.27 was recovered by audit during the month of November, 1996, which brings the yearly amount recovered by auditors to $202,806.61. The monthly sales tax collections in the '67 and '79 funds were $242,712.37 which was down $41,384.55 from the same month last year. This is a 17% decrease. For the year, collections in that fund are down $73,104.35 or 2%. Collections for the month in the '93 fund were $145,627.14 which is a decrease of $24,830.67 over the same month last year. That fund is down $43,861.94 for the year. The percentages are the same. She reported that sales tax supplement checks for all employees went out at the end of November.
Ms. Roy went over the financial report for October, 1996. She called attention to the large increase in the general fund and said that was due to insurance proceeds that were collected for the Ruston High School auditorium. These monies will be spent as bills come in. She mentioned that ad valorem taxes will be collected in January.
At the November 12, 1996 meeting of the Board it was decided that all bids submitted for a walkway cover for the parent pickup area at Ruston Junior High School should be taken under advisement. After Mr. Charles Owens evaluated these bids and consulted with Mr. Mike Walpole, he suggested that Ruston Glass and Mirror's low bid be accepted. A poll vote of members was conducted November 15, 1996 to ascertain the Board's desires. The vote was 8 For and 4 No Contact. He was unable to contact Mrs. Braggs, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Mitcham, and Mr. Dowling. Mr. Owens recommended that the poll vote be ratified.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the poll vote taken November 15, 1996 to accept the lowest bid of $10,871.00 from Ruston Glass and Mirror to construct a walkway cover for the parent pickup area at Ruston Junior High School.
Authorization was given at the October 1, 1996 meeting to advertise for bids on a new shuttle van to deliver materials and supplies to the schools. Mr. Owens recommended that the single bid from Southland Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Inc. in Houma, Louisiana, be accepted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid of $16,554.86 from Southland Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Inc. for a new van.
Mr. Owens briefed the Board on the situation at Simsboro since a tornado swept through that area on Saturday, November 30, 1996. He said the roof of Simsboro's gymnasium sustained approximately $12,000-$14,000 worth of damage. The insurance carries a $25,000 deductible. Although temporary repairs have been completed, it was his suggestion that an emergency be declared so permanent repairs could be done as soon as possible. A resolution was prepared declaring an emergency at Simsboro and a poll vote was taken December 3. The result of the vote was 9 For and 3 No Contacts. Those not contacted were: Ms. Braggs, Dr. Beasley, and Mr. Tuten. He recommended that the Board ratify the poll vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to ratify the poll vote adopting the following resolution:
RESOLVED, In accordance with provisions of Section 2211 of Title 38 of the Revised Statutes of Louisiana, authority granted to the Lincoln Parish School Board to declare an emergency to exist because of the tornado that hit the Simsboro School gymnasium on November 30, 1996.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in view of the emergency existing, authority is hereby given for the purchase of certain items necessary for the repair of the facilities.
After brief comments from several Board members, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President