LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, November 4, 1997 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 4, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish School Board, 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, Mr. Allen Tuten, and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
No members were absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Mitcham. Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. He welcomed members of the official staff, media, and special guests which included the President of the Louisiana School Board Association, Mrs. Carolyn Boyette; her husband; a student from Grambling State University; and others to be recognized later in the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on October 7 and 22, 1997 as distributed.
Elementary Supervisor, Mr. Danny Bell, reported that several Lincoln Parish teachers have been awarded nearly $30,000 in grants for the 97-98 school year. This additional funding has a significant impact on teachers and learning in the school system. The grants have been awarded from a variety of sources including Louisiana LEARN, 8(g) Competitive, Louisiana Department of Agriculture, Louisiana Early Childhood Association, and Presidential Award for Excellence. The teachers demonstrated, in Mr. Bell's opinion, tremendous initiative as they spent many extra hours completing grant proposals. Those recognized, their school, source of grant, and monetary amount were as follows:
Kelly Colvin Ruston Elementary LEARN 1,000.00
Mandy Bain Ruston Jr. High LEARN 987.39
Linda Dick Ruston Jr. High LEARN 1,000.00
Peggy Fallin
Sue Guilatt
Gail Sullivan
Bobbi Adams Ruston Jr. High Urban & Community Forestry 1,000.00
Cathi Cox Choudrant High Presidential 7,500.00
LEARN 1,000.00
Challenger Learning Center 225.00
Libby Manning A. E. Phillips LEARN 1,000.00
Glenda White A. E. Phillips LEARN 742.12
Anna Belle Nihart I. A. Lewis LEARN 1,000.00
Trudy Ireland I. A. Lewis LEARN 1,000.00
Virginia Suggs Cypress Springs LEARN 989.94
Traci Kraesig Cypress Springs LEARN 1,000.00
Cheryl Garner Glen View LEARN 968.25
Barbara Hammond Hillcrest LA Early Childhood Association 500.00
Jim Smith Grambling High 8(g) Competitive 9,750.00
President Wright and Mr. Anders, on behalf of the Lincoln Parish School Board, congratulated the teachers for bringing money into the system to be used toward classroom instruction.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Mr. Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented the following personnel items:
1. Retirement of Selma Davidson, effective December 31, 1997 as payroll clerk at the central office.
2. Transfer of Bonnie Lowe from accounts payable clerk at the central office to the payroll clerk position effective December 1, 1997 replacing Selma Davidson who retired.
3. Retirement of Jack Snow, effective November 7, 1997 as a bus driver in the Ruston area.
4. Employment of James Patton, effective November 7, 1997 as a bus driver in the Ruston area replacing Jack Snow who retired.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the above recommendations.
Ms. Barbara Kirkland, Vocational Supervisor, told the Board that Career Night will be held Monday, November 17, 1997 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ruston Junior High School. Parish juniors, seniors, and their parents are invited to attend. Representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi; Louisiana technical colleges; beauty schools; financial institutions; and all branches of the armed forces will be available to meet with those interested in attending the various schools. Information on scholarships, financial aid, ACT requirements, and admission policies will also be presented. This annual event is coordinated by Ms. Kirkland and the parish high school guidance counselors.
Board members were invited to a ribbon cutting/grand opening ceremony for the Title I Family Resource Center which will be held on Friday, November 21, 1997 from 10:00-11:45 a.m. by Ms. Sallie Evans, Parental Involvement Coordinator.
Principal of Ruston High School, Mr. Randy Moore, also issued an invitation to attend the Open House for the Ruston High Auditorium which was recently renovated due to a fire. The Open House is scheduled for Sunday, December 16, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. with a short dedication ceremony at 2:15.
Dr. Charles Scriber, Secondary Supervisor, was delighted to report that all schools now have Internet access. Work stations (computers) are continuing to be added through a technology grant from the state. The parish received approximately $82,000 from a LEARN grant and $240,000 from a technology grant for 97-98 to be used for the project. He thanked the principals, school site coordinators, and Debbie Sandidge who have all worked extremely hard and have cooperated when problems have arisen.
Sales tax collections were up for the month ending October 31, 1997 as reported by Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager. She told the Board that the 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections were up 27% over last month and 1.73% for the year. This increase is probably due to new construction in the parish. She said that salary supplement checks issued from the 93 sales tax fund will be distributed December 1 in the amount of $1,000 for certified and $500 for non-certified employees.
A financial report for the month ending September, 1997 was also presented by Ms. Duke. After calling attention to the fund balances, she said the general fund balance shows a small decrease this month primarily because the first payment of salaries for the new school year is made in September. The 5 mill maintenance fund balance is also down for the month, which is usual, as we are waiting on collections after the first of the year. We are also waiting on adult education reimbursement. Child nutrition has a healthy fund balance. Currently our sales tax collections are faring well. She is not spending money from the district maintenance and operation funds until collections at the beginning of the calendar year begin. General fund bond surplus is stagnant at this point.
Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Ronnie Suggs, reminded the Board that last year's October I count of 6965 students showed a decrease of about 150 which resulted in large cuts in Minimum Foundation Program monies. On October 1, 1997 6,948 students were enrolled in Lincoln Parish schools. This loss of about 17 students should result in almost no change in M.F.P. funds. He called attention to the list of schools with totals by grade provided for informational purposes.
The Ruston High School track is in need of repair in several areas according to Dr. Cobb. He circulated pictures of the defective sections and produced a drawing with the problem areas marked. A letter from Mr. Ayres Bradford of No Fault Industries outlining the projected scope of the needed repairs was mentioned. Also discussed was an estimated cost of the work which totaled approximately $11,085. He recommended that School Board personnel complete $3,680 of the project. No Fault would be commissioned to complete the remainder of the project totaling of $7,405. These repairs would be done in December and monies for payment would be taken from the maintenance and repair portion of the 1993 ad valorem taxes. He turned the floor over to Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore suggested that the flood in 1991 was the major cause of the damage to the track and he believes that it has taken this long to show up. The drainage system proved to be inadequate when the track was changed from cinder to an asphaltÂ-based, rubberized surface. Heavy equipment was brought in to correct the drainage problem and that put some unnecessary weight on the runways. Since larger drainage pipes have been installed, Mr. Moore and Mr. Bradford do not foresee any more problems because of drainage.
After brief questions, upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve $11,085 for track renovations at Ruston High School as outlined by Superintendent Gerald Cobb.
The final item of New Business was the renovation of the Ruston High tennis courts. Dr. Cobb said the Ruston Park and Recreation Board is requesting assistance in the renovation of six of the eight tennis courts at R.H.S. These six are in unplayable condition. He called attention to a letter from Mr. Jack Love, Chairman R.P.&R., and a copy of the lease agreement with R.P.&R. Although responsibility for maintenance and repair of the courts lies with the City of Ruston, Dr. Cobb recommended that $5,000 be given by the Board toward the projected cost of $150,000. He feels that this would be in order considering the cost of the project, the use of the courts by Ruston High, and the assistance the City of Ruston donates to all Ruston schools. The funding source would be the maintenance and repair portion of the 1979 sales tax and the work is projected to be done by January 1.
It was the consensus of the Board that the public bodies of the parish should work together and keep an amicable relationship. Therefore, upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve $5,000 toward the renovation of the Ruston High tennis court playing surface.
Mr. Wright recognized L.S.B.A. President, Mrs. Carolyn Boyette, at this time and asked for her comments. She thanked Mr. Wright and Superintendent Cobb and brought greetings to all from the L.S.B.A. staff and Board of Directors. She shared good wishes for the Board for the remainder of the school year as they face the many challenges and important decisions to be made each day in order to continue to provide a quality education to all children in Lincoln Parish. She urged members to call upon the L.S.B.A. whenever help is needed.
President Wright thanked Mrs. Boyette and extended an open invitation to her to visit the Lincoln Parish School Board at any time.
In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb informed the Board that construction of the Secondary Alternative School is finally underway.
After brief comments and questions, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President