LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 7, 1997 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 7, 1997 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, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent was Ms. Loyace Braggs.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Tuten. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda, as amended, with the addition of an item of Unfinished Business: Consider change order on Ruston High Auditorium.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on December 3, 1996 as printed.
Election of officers for 1997 was the next agenda item to be considered and the floor was opened for nominations for Board President or Vice President. Dr. Beasley moved that the 1996 officers be retained for 1997. Mr. Mack seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, Mr. Abrahm moved that nominations cease and Mr. Kessler seconded that motion. The Board unanimously voted by voice vote to retain Mr. David Wright as President and Mr. Wayne Barfield as Vice President for 1997. They expressed their appreciation for the Board's confidence and pledged to continue to do their best for the children of the parish.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented item 1., and Ms. Brenda Theodos, School Food Service Supervisor, presented 2.-4.:
1. Resignation of Beverly Redden, secretary at Cypress Springs, effective December 13, 1996.
2. Resignation of Hico's clerk/technician, Sharon Taylor, effective November 19, 1996.
3. Disability retirement, effective August 21, 1996 of Ernestine Spearman, technician at Ruston Junior High School.
4. Employment of the following:
Teresa Kay, effective December 12, 1996 as clerk/technician at Hico replacing Sharon Taylor who resigned.
Misty Everett, effective December 12, 1996 as technician at Hillcrest replacing Teresa Kay who transferred to Hico.
Marcie Mathis, effective January 1, 1997 as 5 hour technician at Ruston Junior High replacing Ernestine Spearman who is on a disability retirement.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Wilkerson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the requests and recommendations.
Ms. Pam Roy, Business Manager, told the Board that $3,321.26 was recovered by audit during the month of December, 1996. This brings the yearly total recovered by auditors to $206,127.87. The monthly sales tax collections in the '67 and '79 funds were $237,183.62 which is a decrease of $16,284.90 over the same month last year. While not as low as the previous month, this is still a 6.9% decrease. For the year, collections in that fund are down $89,389.25 or about 2.7%. Collections for the month in the '93 fund were $142,309.89 which is a decrease of $9,770.91 over the same month last year. That fund is down $53,632.85 for the year and the percentages are the same.
Ms. Roy presented the November financial report and called attention to the shaded area. She said funds are basically in about the same position as last year at the same time. Ad valorem taxes will be collected beginning this month.
After brief comments and questions, it was suggested that the local legislative officials be invited to speak to the Board at their February meeting. Dr. Cobb said he would extend the Board's invitation to them.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Ronnie Suggs, had more encouraging news for the Board. Lincoln Parish is tied with Winn parish with the highest percentage of graduates in the state entering college, 56%, in 1995. These statistics were recently reported in the Louisiana First-Time College Freshmen Report published by the Louisiana State Department of Education. The state average is 40%. The parish is also ranked third in the state with the lowest percentage of students having to enroll in developmental courses, 38%. The state average is 49%. He feels that this can be attributed to a strong educational system made up of hard working staff and a community where education is a priority. He closed by saying that in a December article in the Baton Rouge Advocate, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is beginning to take a strong look at the problem of so many graduates taking developmental courses. Some strategies being looked at are programs to strengthen reading at the pre-kindergarten to third grade level and giving eighth graders an exit exam. If unsuccessful on the exam, they would be required to take remedial courses at the beginning high school level.
Dr. Charles Scriber, Secondary Supervisor, reminded the Board that in December permission was granted to advertise for routers and hubs for the Internet Project. Bid opening was scheduled for January 7. Of five bids received, four met bid specifications. In order to have time to study the bids and compare the different companies' equipment, he requested permission to present his recommendation at a later time. The Board, by acclamation, allowed him to do so.
Mr. Charles Owens reported that bids for the concession/restroom facility for the Ruston High girls' softball program to be built at Glen View were opened December 16, 1996. A poll vote was conducted December 19 to determine the Board's preference regarding the bids. By an 8 - 0 vote, the low bid, $18,000, of Davis Construction Company, Choudrant, was accepted. He was pleased to note that the bid was approximately $3,500 less than the anticipated amount. The 4 members not contacted were Mr. Barfield, Ms. Braggs, Mr. Shadoin, and Mr. Dowling. Mr. Owens recommended that the Board ratify the poll vote.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the poll vote taken December 19, 1996 accepting the low bid of $18,000 from Davis Construction Company for the concession/restroom facility to be built at Glen View for the Ruston High School girls' softball program.
Mr. Owens also presented the added item of Unfinished Business regarding a change order on the renovation work being done to the Ruston High School auditorium because of a fire in December, 1995. He reported that hidden damage to the roof deck had been found and asked architect, Mike Walpole, to briefly share with the Board. Mr. Walple thanked the Board for their time and circulated photographs of the roof deck. Originally he and the structural engineer determined the section of the deck that needed to be replaced, which was approximately 600 square feet immediately over the burn area. When the roof membrane was removed from the next section of the roof deck, the men called Mr. Walpole, who went to the job site, and said he personally would not have walked across that section. The damage to that portion of the roof deck could not be seen from the top or bottom of the deck in the initial inspection by either the structural engineer or him until the roof membrane was removed. When light was exposed to the area, they were surprised to see the light shining through holes. He contacted Mr. Owens who contacted the insurance company. This roof deck repair will cost $43,114 plus an additional $3,781 for associated architectural/engineering fees. An additional 21 days will be required to complete the work. This moves the expected date of completion from May to about the middle of June. Mr. Walpole then turned the meeting over to Mr. Owens who read a letter from the insurance company which accompanied a Proof of Loss Statement on the $46,895 and authorized the additional monies. Mr. Owens recommended that the Board approve a change order to allow these repairs to be completed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve money for the $43,114 change order, along with an additional $3,781 for associated architectural/engineering fees for roof deck repair on the Ruston High School auditorium.
President Wright overlooked welcoming special guests and the media at the beginning of the meeting, so he did so at this time.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb informed Board members that Wednesday, January 22, 1997 has been proclaimed by Governor Mike Foster, Jr. as School Nurse Day in the State of Louisiana. He said Lincoln Parish is so very fortunate with Sonja Cardwell, Mary Schelldorf, and Jo Tatum as school nurses. They do an outstanding job and are really appreciated by the school personnel. In recognition of the job they do, he requested approval of the Proclamation.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Governor's proclamation designating January 22, 1997 as School Nurse Day in Louisiana.
Mr. Wright requested that members let him know their preferences for committee assignments for 1997 and said he would present the committees for their consideration at the next meeting.
Dr. Cobb reminded members that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 1997 at Simsboro.
A brief period of comments and questions ensued. Following a question regarding Ms. Braggs health, it was suggested that a resolution honoring Ms. Braggs be prepared. Dr. Beasley agreed to do so.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
_____________________________________________________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President