LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, October 22, 1997 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 22, 1997 at 12:30 p.m. at Glen View Elementary School. Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson (arrived after the meeting began).
Members absent were Dr. Marty Beasley 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, gave the invocation, and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. He welcomed the staff, guests, and members of the media.
Mr. Wilkerson arrived at the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda, as amended with an item of New Business: Ratify poll vote accepting bid for the Secondary Alternative School.
Principal of Glen View, Mr. Cecil Barham, welcomed everyone to the school on behalf of his faculty and staff. He said that Glen View has 603 students, is the 3rd largest school in the parish, and is the largest elementary school. Mr. Barham thanked the Board for their support. He also mentioned that during his 4 1/2 years as principal, Superintendent Gerald Cobb and Assistant Superintendent Ronnie Suggs have always been helpful and have made his job much easier. He said that with new content standards to put in place; new standardized test, including the Iowa and LEAP; new supplemental reading program; along with everything else that is supposed to be done; the 97-98 school year is going to be a very unique, interesting year for teachers and principals. He invited everyone back to Glen View to visit at anytime in the future.
Mr. Wright thanked Mr. Barham and urged him to convey thanks to the cafeteria staff for a delicious lunch.
Dr. Cobb reminded the Board that they were given copies of the Discipline, JD; Suspension, JDD; and Expulsion, JDE, policies which had been revised because of Acts passed during the 1997 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. A new policy, Discipline of Students with Disabilities, JDF, has also become necessary. According to Lincoln Parish policy, additions or revisions to policies are to be presented at one meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting.
After brief questions and comments, upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed revisions to the Discipline, Suspension, and Expulsion policies and the addition of a Discipline of Students with Disabilities policy.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, reported that a poll vote was conducted October 21, 1997 declaring an emergency to exist at Ruston High School because of buckling to the northwest wall of the gym. Ten members had voted in the affirmative with Mr. Anders and Mr. Dowling not contacted. Mr. Owens said lightening may have contributed to the situation. Principal, Randy Moore, said the area has been roped off for safety reasons. In addition to declaring an emergency, Mr. Owens recommended that Mr. Mike Walpole be engaged as architect for the project.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to ratify the October 21, 1997 poll vote declaring an emergency for the purpose of making structural repairs to the northwest wall of the Ruston High School gym and engaging Mr. Mike Walpole as architect for the project.
Dr. Cobb updated the Board on the Secondary Alternative School project. The original plan presented called for the construction of six classrooms, administrative offices, and restrooms. Along with the proposed new construction was the renovation of the old Lincoln High School vocational shop and music building. This new construction plus renovation was projected to cost approximately $240,000-$250,000. After inspecting the shop/music building it was determined that renovating this facility alone would be projected in the range of $100,000-$125,000 because of asbestos and other structural problems associated with the facility. This necessitated adding a satellite cafeteria and a vocational shop building to our original plan for new construction. This increased our projected cost of the project to the area of $350,000 to $360,000. Funding available for the project is a State Alternative School Grant of $295,000 and a State 8g Grant of $55,000 which equals $350,000. Superintendent Cobb recommended the following:
1. Accept the low base bid minus the vocational shop building of J. O. Bailey Construction Company in the amount of $361,618.
2. Accept change order reducing the base bid in the amount of $54,613 resulting in a base bid amount of $307,005. (Lincoln Parish will be responsible for securing the items deleted on the change order.)
3. Reject all alternative bids for the vocational shop building.
4. Grant permission to readvertise for bids for the vocational shop building.
A lengthy period of questions and comments ensued. Mr. Abrahm confirmed that the Board would be voting on the bid amount of $361,618 minus $54,613 in change orders resulting in $307,005 for the construction of the Secondary Alternative School.
Upon a recommendation by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to: ratify the poll vote of October 21, 1997 accepting the lowest base bid of J. O. Bailey in the amount of $361,618; accepting a change order reducing the base bid in the amount of $54,613 resulting in a base bid of $307,005; rejecting all alternative bids for the vocational shop building; and granting permission to readvertise for bids for the vocational shop building.
Mr. Wright expressed congratulations to Mr. Anders on his election Saturday to the Ward 1 - E slot vacated by Mrs. Loyace Braggs in January, 1997. Mr. Anders said he was humbled by the support of others and pledged to continue to do his best.
In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb said Randy Moore is planning an auditorium dedication on Sunday, November 16, from 2:00-4:00 with the actual ceremony to take place at 3:00 p.m. Board members are invited to attend.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President