LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, March 19, 1997 12:30 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 19, 1997 at 12:30 p.m. at Choudrant Elementary.  Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.

Absent were Mr. Wayne Barfield 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. Anders.  Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

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

Principal of Choudrant Elementary, Mr. Charles Hogan, welcomed everyone to, what he considers, the best school in Lincoln Parish.  Mr. Hogan shared his pride in his facilities, students, and faculty.  He mentioned the following of which he was very pleased: advances made in the facilities, a greenhouse is under construction, large numbers of science and social studies fair projects were recently completed by his students, and the school has a choir and a computer lab which each child visits daily.  As proof of the educational advances being made, he said CAT scores of 5th graders have risen from 45% in his first year as principal to approximately 70% over the last few years.  Mr. Hogan said his employees are some of the best people anywhere.  He invited Board members to visit classrooms at the conclusion of the meeting and any time in the future.

There being no items of Old or New Business, A Report of the Superintendent was the next item to come before the Board.  Superintendent Cobb mentioned:

1)         The renovation work being done on the Ruston High School auditorium is coming along marvelously.  Workers are doing an excellent job and are on schedule or maybe a little ahead.  The possible completion date is in June.  He urged members to go by.

2)         The Board's portion of the Ruston High girls' softball concession stand, including the slab and the frame of the building, has been completed at Glen View.  The project will be finished by volunteers.

3)         Propaganda from the other side on the oil and gas tax issue before the state legislature was placed in Board members' portfolios.  This had been mailed to him with a request that he distribute it to the Board.

Mr. Abrahm asked if teachers are trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation.  Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Ronnie Suggs, said C.P.R. classes had been offered in the past but were not at the present time.  He said they could possibly be offered again and he would check into that option.

Following other brief questions and comments, upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, the meeting was adjourned at 12:59 p.m.

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                        David Wright, President