LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 2, 1997 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 2, 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, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin (arrived after the meeting began), and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Mr. Calvin Wilkerson was absent.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Mr. Wright welcomed special guests, members of the media, and staff. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as distributed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 5, 1997
as printed.
Mr. Wright announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing for the proposed 97-98 budget. Opportunity was given for anyone present to express comments or ask questions regarding the budget. Hearing no questions or comments, Mr. Wright closed the public hearing time.
Ms. Roy reminded Board members that each year schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund for library supplement ($1.75), classroom supplies ($3.00), office supplies and equipment repair/purchase ($3.00), student services ($3.00), debate and speech ($1.50), and kindergarten ($100 per teacher). These funds are distributed on a per pupil basis and sent directly to the schools to be disbursed by the principal. Ms. Roy recommended sending the per pupil allotments shown above which are the same as 96-97 amounts. As a point of reference Ms. Roy mentioned that approximately $170,000 is sent to the schools each year on a per pupil basis for materials and supplies.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the allocations as outlined by Ms. Roy.
Ms. Barbara Kirkland, Federal Programs Supervisor, also said annually the parish applies and receives federal money under Title I of Public Law 81-874 which provides funds for general operation and maintenance. Eligibility is based upon the number of federally-connected children in the parish. To qualify, children must have a parent employed on federal property, on full-time active duty in any branch of the armed forces, or live on federal property. Approximately 300 students are identified each year which brings in about $10,000 in aid to be placed in the general fund to be used to defray extra costs that may be incurred as a result of these students moving into our system. The money has been used to help with California Achievement Test expenses in the last few years. She requested permission to apply for these funds.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to apply for Impact Aid funding for 97-98.
President Wright reminded the Board that a poll vote was taken on August 18, 1997 regarding permission to advertise August 15-25, 1997 and to interview August 26-29, 1997 for the position of Business Manager of Lincoln Parish Schools. It was the unanimous decision of the Board to grant permission.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the poll vote of August 18, 1997 granting permission to advertise for the position of Business Manager August 15-25, 1997 and to interview August 26-29, 1997.
The Finance Committee met just prior to the Board and the following was presented by Mr. Tuten, Chairman:
Mr. Tuten reported to the Board that the only agenda item was the presentation of the beginning budget for review, discussion and vote as the official budget for 97-98. It was the committee's unanimous decision to recommend the budget to the Board.
Mr. Tuten offered the motion, seconded by Mr. Anders, that the beginning budget for 97-98 be accepted. The Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following recommendations presented by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent.
1. Resignation of the following:
Pam Roy, Central Office Business Manager, effective November 21, 1997.
Elizabeth Hubbard, special ed. aide at Cypress Springs, effective August 8, 1997.
Lynn Anne Gillum, teacher at Glen View, effective August 18, 1997.
Angela Ward Mitchell, teacher at Hico, effective August 16, 1997.
Peggy Boone, business teacher at Ruston High, effective August 20, 1997.
Judd Mahfouz, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective August 7, 1997.
Anthony Tisdale, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective August 7, 1997.
Leigh Traylor, special ed. at Simsboro, effective August 21, 1997.
2. As a point of reference, he mentioned the following transfers, effective August 20, 1997:
Marita Crowder, from Cypress Springs to a new, itinerant, reading position which will be paid out of K-3 monies from the state.
Donna Walters, from Ruston Elementary to a special ed. position at Lincoln Center replacing Toni Billberry who resigned.
Jane Hamby, from Ruston High to a special ed. position at Ruston Elementary replacing Donna Miles who transferred.
Leslie Gray, from I. A. Lewis to a special ed. position at Simsboro replacing Leigh Traylor who resigned.
3. Employment of the following persons all effective August 20, 1997 unless otherwise noted:
Tracey Kraeszig as a teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Marita Crowder who transferred.
Paula Taylor as a teacher at Cypress Springs replacing Terri Singleton who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Meredith Whitaker as a teacher at Glen View replacing Lynn Anne Gillum who resigned.
Tammy Patterson as a teacher at Hillcrest replacing Edith Hawkins who retired.
Shirley Hopkins as teacher at I. A. Lewis replacing Ben Green who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Lula Turner as teacher at I. A. Lewis replacing Yolanda Dade who was granted a sabbatical.
Lisa Skains as kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Easter Mayfield who transferred.
Doug Abet as 1/2 time English teacher at Ruston High replacing Marcia Franz who resigned.
Kristi Hickman as business teacher at Ruston High replacing Peggy Boone who resigned.
Roy Hill as social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective September 2, 1997, replacing Anthony Tisdale who resigned.
Stanley Lewis as a special ed. teacher at Ruston High replacing Jane Hamby who transferred.
Shane Patrick, effective August 1, 1997, as a social studies/coach at Ruston High replacing Judd Mahfouz who resigned.
4. Superintendent Cobb presented background information on the selection process followed with the unanimous recommendation of the Interview Committee of Ms. Juanita Duke as the new business manager at the central office effective October 1, 1997. She would replace Ms. Pam Roy who resigned.
He told the Board that he chaired the Committee which also consisted of Charles Owens and Ronnie Suggs.
The top three applicants were: Juanita Duke, Eileen Cook, and Bobby Gray.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve Ms. Juanita Duke for the position of business manager of Lincoln Parish effective October 1, 1997.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following recommendation presented by Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services:
5. Employment of Sharon Marshall as central office insurance clerk, effective August 28, 1997, replacing Eileen Manning who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following recommendations. School Food Service Supervisor, Ms. Brenda Theodos, presented items 6.-7.; Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Howard Whitlock, presented 8.-9.; and Mr. Owens presented 10.
6. As a point of reference, effective August 20, 1997 unless otherwise noted, school food service changes as follows:
Beatrice Woods, transferring from Cypress Springs to Hillcrest, as technician.
Betty Holland, transferring from Simsboro to Cypress Springs, as 4 hour technician.
Glenda Samuels, from 4 hour part time to 7 hour full time technician at Ruston High.
Misty Everett, transferring from technician at Hillcrest to a clerk at Ruston Junior High effective August 6, 1997.
Debbie Ware, transferring from clerk at Ruston Junior High to manager at Ruston High.
7. Employment of the following school food service personnel effective August 20, 1997:
Renee Jones as technician at Ruston Elementary replacing Jane Kent who retired.
Teresa Anderson as 4 hour technician at Ruston High replacing Glenda Samuels who moved to a full time position.
8. Resignation of Leon Staples, bus driver in the Ruston area, effective July 18, 1997.
9. Employment, effective August 20, 1997 of Glenn Phillips as a bus driver of a Ruston route replacing Leon Staples who resigned.
10. Employment of David Smith, as janitor at Hillcrest effective September 1, 1997. He was previously working at Hillcrest, quit, and had been rehired in a temporary position.
Dr. Janie Humphries, Project Director of Lincoln Institutions Networking for Children (LINC) was recognized for her report. She said 96-97 was the sixth and final year of the Excellent Beginning grant. She distributed a summary of activities provided to increase the self esteem of the children and the possibility of school success. Dr. Humphries expressed her pride in the community and parental involvement in the program. "It's been a good six years," she said, "and much has been accomplished." She thanked the Board and Lincoln Center for working with them. She ended by saying that two of the components of the original grant have been funded by another grant, the high school and the college intern programs.
Several board members and Superintendent Gerald Cobb praised and verbalized appreciation to Dr. Humphries; Principal of Lincoln Center, Mr. Ray Bratton; and others involved with the grant who did an outstanding, professional job with this unique program.
Mr. Bratton thanked the Board for their support and contributions and said all of the components of the program would be continued through their Title I schoolÂwide project.
Ms. Pam Roy told the Board that $4,448 was recovered by the parish auditor during the month of August, 1997. The total amount collected by audits for the year is $38,078. The 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the same month were $254,004. This is a $45,172 increase over the same month last year, or approximately 21.6%. For the year, those collections are up $30,486 which is about 1%. Collections for the month in the 1993 fund were $152,402. Again, that is a $27,103 increase from the same month last 9 year and for the year those collections are up $18,291. The percentages are the same.
Ms. Roy went over the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1997. She mentioned better ending totals than budgeted. All of the maintenance and operation funds were used.
Mr. Ronnie Suggs said according to the low numbers of complaint and concern calls, 97-98 was one of the best openings of school in the last 8 - 9 years. He commended the short-handed central office staff, principals, and school personnel for the organization and hard work which brought about the smooth opening. He shared some contributing factors such as Head Start and preschool registration for kindergarten which were held in the spring and news articles urging early registration. Preliminary numbers today totaled 6,900 which is down a small amount. He estimates that after including special education and Methodist Children's Home students, the parish will end up with approximately the same number of students as last year or 6,966. Enrollment for 96-97 was down approximately 150 from the prior year.
President Wright expressed the Board's appreciation to all of the persons involved in this good, smooth school opening.
Dr. Cobb voiced his appreciation to the staff and the best principals for their hard work. He also said pending Board approval, the annual Lincoln Parish Academic Awards Banquet has been scheduled for Monday, October 20, 1997, at the Ruston Civic Center, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
By acclamation, the Board approved the date of October 20, 1997 for the Academic Awards Banquet.
Elementary Supervisor, Danny Bell, reminded the Board that permission was granted at the August meeting to advertise for bids for library books for all public schools in Lincoln Parish. Bids were reviewed by Wanda Mitchell, RHS Librarian; Sandra Stokley, I. A. Lewis Librarian; Pam Roy, Business Manager; and him. It was the unanimous decision of the committee to award Baker & Taylor the contract primarily because of the single flat discount and the cost per book for bar coding.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid by Baker & Taylor as the library book vendor for the 97-98 school year with the option to renew for the 98-99 school year.
Mr. Bell also informed the Board that $30,000,000 was allocated by the State during the 97 Regular Session of the Legislature to improve reading and mathematic skills of Louisiana's K-3 students. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved guidelines for K-3 reading and math initiatives. Each school district must develop a plan on how to work with those targeted students that are having difficulty. Lincoln Parish's focus will be on reading. Mr. Bell formed a committee of teachers to develop a plan for the district. After considering several projects, the K-3 Reading Initiative Committee has chosen Johnny Can Spell as a total language program. Extensive time and training for teachers are required to make any new program work. Therefore, Alice Nine, author and consultant for Johnny Can Spell, will hold an extensive training workshop on November 6-8, 1997. She is only available after school on Thursday, November 6; all day on Friday, November 7; and on Saturday, November 8. The Committee is requesting that school be dismissed on Friday, November 7, for grades K-3 so these teachers may attend this workshop.
After several comments and questions, upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to cancel school on November 7, 1997 for all K-3 students.
The last item for the Board to consider was a revision to the Public Participation, BCBI, parish policy. Dr. Cobb related that Act 895 of the 1997 Louisiana Legislative Session requires that at any meeting of a school board, a public comment period be allowed before all agenda items requiring a vote. He distributed revised copies of BCBI for the Board to consider with a vote to be taken at the October meeting.
In the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb noted that the Legislature also said for each $30,000,000 allocated for teacher raises, one teacher work day without student or parent contact would be added to the year. Since $60,000,000 was allotted, two days must be added to this year's calendar. He said he is allowing teachers to vote on whether they prefer to give up scheduled vacation days or to extend the school year into June. All schools will add the same two work days and something worthwhile will be planned. Dr. Cobb said support personnel are not included.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President