LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, March 4, 1997 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 4, 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. Otha Anders, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack (arrived late), Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Mr. Calvin Wilkerson was absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mitcham.
Mr. Mack arrived.
Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with the postponement of Item 6. RECOGNIZE NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS until the April meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on February 4, 1997.
Dr. Charles Scriber, Lincoln Parish Secondary Supervisor, came before the Board to recognize three outstanding students from Lincoln Parish Schools. He told the Board that each year the Lincoln Parish School System participates in the Student-of-the-Year program. Students are selected from three divisions -- elementary (grade 5), junior high (grade 8), and high school (grade 12). Parishwide winners, selected from each division, go on to compete at the regional level, and if successful there, at the state level.
On behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, Dr. Scriber presented the following parish winners with plaques:
Elementary --- Kristi Crowder of Cypress Springs Elementary
Junior High - - Stephen Bell of Ruston Junior High
High School - - Katie Whitlock of Ruston High School
Mr. Wright expressed the Board's appreciation to the students and their parents for their achievement and the good work they are doing. He wished them luck in the future.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for and accept the lowest bids for school food service equipment, food, and supplies for the 1997-98 school year. This annual request, presented by Ms. Brenda Theodos, Supervisor of Child Nutrition, is made in order to be in compliance with the state and federal laws.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the allocations of Instructional Supply Money for 97-98, as presented by Business Manager, Ms. Pam Roy. This yearly expenditure is from the 79 Sales Tax Fund and is distributed on a per pupil basis. The following was approved for the 97-98 distribution:
Art K-12 - $1.00 per student
Physical Education K-12 - $1.00 per student
Library Supplies K-5 - $ .50 per student
6-12 - $1.00 per student
Music K-5 - $ .50 per student
6-12 - $1.00 per student
Magazines & K-6 - $1.70 per student
Newspapers 7-12 - $2.00 per student
Science K-6 - $ .50 per student
7-8 - $2.00 per student
9-12 - $3.50 per student
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of duplicating paper for the 97-98 school year, as presented by Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to send Letters of Intent for 97-98, as requested by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. This request is made yearly in order to begin looking at staffing needs for the next school year.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Mr. Ronnie Suggs presented items 1-4., Ms. Brenda Theodos, presented 5., and Mr. Charles Owens presented 6.-7.
1. Retirement of Hillcrest Elementary Principal Ann Gilbert effective April 19, 1997.
2. Employment of Buck Stewart as principal at Hillcrest effective February 17, 1997 and serving for the remainder of the 96-97 school year only. He will replace Ann Gilbert who retired after using annual leave.
After expressing appreciation and commendation to Ann Gilbert for her service to the children of the parish for many years, Mr. Shadoin moved that these two personnel recommendations be accepted. Dr. Beasley seconded the motion and the Board unanimously agreed.
3. Resignation of Russ Golden as social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High effective February 28, 1997.
4. Employment of Brad Morace as social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective March 1, 1997 to replace Russ Golden who resigned.
5. Resignation of Pam Wisdom as SFS manager at Ruston High effective February 14, 1997.
6. Employment of Gary Perry as a janitor at Ruston Elementary, effective March 1, 1997, replacing Freddie Moore who resigned.
Following these presentations, with no discussion or questions, upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendations/ requests.
President Wright recognized Mr. Charles Owens who was to present personnel item 7. He asked if Bernice Outley, maid at Ruston High School, was present. She was. He asked if she preferred an open or closed session and she requested a closed session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted at 6:22 p.m. to enter into Executive Session.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board, by acclamation, voted to return to Regular Session at 7:29 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board voted 8-1-2 to accept the administration's recommendation of termination of Ms. Bernice Outley effective March 4, 1997. Mr. Mack voted against the motion and Dr. Beasley and Mr. Anders abstained.
Ms. Pam Roy reported that $8,289.40 was recovered by audits during the month of February, 1997. This brings the total recovered by audits for the year to $219,206.27. The 1967 and 1979 sales tax receipts for this month were a little better as they were up $10,490.55 over the same month last year. Although $253,961.16 was collected for the month, only four months remain in the year and collections are down $80,997.33 over the same period last year. Collections in the 1993 sales tax fund were $152,376.40 which is an increase of $6,294.32. This fund is down $48,597.70 for the year. Although collections are up 4% for the month over last year, collections are down 2.4% over the same period last year.
Ms. Roy then called to Board's attention to the shaded line on the January, 1997 financial statement with fund balances, assets, and liabilities. She said ad valorem taxes are being collected. Therefore, maintenance and operation funds are carrying really good balances, but these will decrease as they are utilized for the entire year. Approximately $500,000 of the money in the fund balance of the General Fund is from Ruston High School's fire and will be spent to cover those expenses.
The next agenda item was a report from those who had attended the recent Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) annual convention in Lafayette. Dr. Beasley, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Mack, Mr. Anders, and Mr. Wright commented on the convention. They agreed that it was one of the best in years and well worth the time spent. Others were encouraged to attend in the future and mention was made of an upcoming southern regional convention. Superintendent Gerald Cobb also attended the LSBA convention and shared what he had learned.
Elementary Supervisor, Mr. Danny Bell, reminded members that permission was granted at the January 7, 1997 meeting to advertise for bids for library automation software for use with schools having sufficient funds to automate their libraries. He recommended that approval be granted to accept the only bid that met specifications, Winnebago Software Company.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid of $56,842.80 from Winnebago Software Company for library software.
Superintendent Cobb mentioned two items included in packets: a newspaper article on Arizona Charter Schools and a comparison between states with performance standards and national assessment results in the same states. On the first subject he said, "Louisiana needs to keep a common sense approach to Charter Schools." Regarding standards and testing, he said, "We have our work cut out for us."
After brief comments and questions, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 8:14 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President