LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 6, 1997 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 6, 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. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Absent was Mr. Jim Kessler.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Anders. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests, members of the press, and office staff.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Vice-President Wayne Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on April 1, 1997 as distributed.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, came before the Board to recognize three Outstanding Support Persons. He went over the selection procedure and emphasized that the school system could not operate without these special people.
Winners were selected from three divisions: elementary, middle school, and secondary school. Parishwide winners presented with plaques were: Johnnie Lee Dyes, custodian and bus driver for Hico Elementary; Kim McCormack, secretary at Ruston Junior High School; and Arberia Simonton, bus driver and teacher aide at Dubach High. David Wright, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation for the caliber of work performed by these support employees and urged them to keep up their good work.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to submit a project application for Special Education IDEA-B and Preschool Flow-Through Funds for Fiscal Year 1998 as presented by Ms. Sharon Thomas, Supervisor of Special Education.
Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Howard Whitlock, told Board members that in order to continue to provide the highest quality of daily bus service to the students of the parish and to better provide buses for extra curricular activities such as athletics and field trips, the parish has been forced for the past several years to pursue a bus acquisition plan. He feels that it is vitally important for yearly bus purchases to continue. His request for permission to buy 4 used buses (1994-1995) and 1 new bus (1997) is necessitated in part by the need to take 2 board-owned buses out of daily use and replace them with buses that are purchased; the replacement of 1 bus currently owned by a contractor that wishes to become a board driver; and the ever increasing need to have buses available for use in the event of mechanical problems. Great service has been received from the used buses purchased last year. He would, however, like to supplement the purchase of used buses with one new bus each year in order to continue to sufficiently upgrade the fleet. He indicated that Business Manager, Ms. Pam Roy, said that sufficient funds will be available to budget for this expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for 4 used buses (1994-1995) and one new school bus (1997).
Superintendent Cobb proposed to open the application process for the principalship of Hillcrest Elementary School on Wednesday, May 14, 1997. The application period would close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 1997. Advertisements for the position would be sent to school systems and newspapers across North Louisiana seeking applicants. Interviews would be held June 2-4 with a recommendation to fill the position to be presented to the Board at its June 10, 1997 meeting. For the benefit of the newer Board members, he reviewed the interview committee selection procedure and steps to be taken in the interview process. Dr. Cobb recommended that the Board grant permission to advertise and interview for the Hillcrest principal position as previously stated.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise May 14-28, 1997 and interview June 2-4, 1997 for the Hillcrest principal position.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to send Letters of Continued Employment to employees as mandated by Act 745 of the 1977 legislature. This request is presented annually by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent.
Mr. Charles Owens reported that keeping the seating in the Dubach High gymnasium safe and functional has required extensive maintenance for the past four year. Because the seating was constructed in 1965, it has become very difficult to find parts; therefore, he suggested that the Board advertise for bids for new seating.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for new gymnasium seating at Dubach High School.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following requests/recommendations as presented by Mr. Suggs:
1. Retirement of Gloria Robinson, effective May 31, 1997 as teacher in the Title I program at Alma J. Brown.
2. Resignation of:
Cynthia Phillips, computer proctor at Choudrant Elementary, effective May 31, 1997.
Michael Few, social studies teacher at Dubach High, effective May 31, 1997.
Nancy McDonald, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective April 28, 1997.
Eric Parmley, P.E./coach at Ruston High, effective April 28, 1997.
3. Sabbatical leave for the 97-98 school year, effective August 20, 1997 for the following:
Martha Hayes, teacher at Cypress Springs.
Terri Singleton, teacher at Cypress Springs.
Alexa Ginn, special education teacher at Hico.
Sabbatical leave for the 1st semester of 97-98 year, effective August 20, 1997 for special education teacher at A. E. Phillips, Alice Higginbotham.
Mr. Suggs said these requests meet all local and state guidelines for granting sabbaticals.
4. Leave without pay for the 97-98 school year for Lori Golden, English teacher at Ruston High, effective August 20, 1997.
Ms. Pam Roy reported that April, 1997 was another month with a decrease in sales tax receipts. The auditors recovered $8,075.31 during the month which brought the total collected by auditors for the year to $257,827.78. The 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the same month were $285,466.59 which reflected a decrease of $57,940.68 over the same month last year. The fund is down $153,503.90 for the year. Collections in the 1993 sales tax fund also showed a decrease of $34,764.35 with $171,279.61 being collected. That fund is down $91,730.86 for the year. Sales tax collections are down 20% over the same month last year and 4.6% for the year.
Ms. Roy pointed out the cash and investments in each of the funds and the fund balances on the March, 1997 financial statement. All maintenance and operation monies for the year have been collected and are being utilized to pay utility bills in Ruston, Simsboro, and Dubach. Any surplus will be used for the Dubach High School bleachers.
At the March 4, 1997 meeting of the Board, authorization was given to advertise for bids on duplicating paper for the 97-98 school year. Mr. Owens recommended that the lowest bid meeting specifications be accepted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid of Mickey Mays Office Supply of Ruston for $26,490 for duplicating paper for the 97-98 school year.
In the report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb had three reminders:
1. The next meeting of the Board is June 10 which is the meeting where retirees are honored prior to the meeting.
2. A graduation schedule is included in Board members' packets.
3. Information concerning LSBA Day at the Legislature is also in portfolios. He said President of the Senate, Randy Ewing, has proposed a variation of a teacher pay raise that is a combination of using the money Governor Foster put forth, or about $1,000 per teacher, and maintaining and combining money from the 1 cent sales tax. This would give about a 10% pay raise. Senator Ewing is concerned about getting teachers' pay to the southern region average.
After brief comments and questions, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President