LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
SPECIAL SESSION
Wednesday, November 19, 1997 5:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Session on Wednesday, November 19, 1997 at 5:00 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, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent were Mr. Wayne Barfield and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Anders gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed guests, members of the official staff, and media to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as amended with the addition of. Accept bid on vocational shop at the Secondary Alternative School.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb reported that the annual renewal of the self-insured health plan was November 1, 1997. He gave brief explanations for the following insurance changes: a change in our Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) from Advantage Health to American LIFECARE; the re-insurance carrier was changed from Lincoln National to CNA which resulted in an 11% annual savings of approximately $418,000 due to reduction of premium and aggregate factors reducing claims exposure; current deductibles are $300 per person with a $900 maximum per family, but effective January 1, 1998 deductibles will decrease to $250 per person and $750 maximum per family if a PPO is used and increase to $500 per person/$1500 maximum family; copayments after deductibles are met are currently 20% of reasonable and customary charges and any charges above RCC for non-PPO benefits which will change to 30%; a 5% increase in dental premiums; and finally group life insurance premium will increase 3/4%. It was mentioned that the State Group Insurance, of which the parish is a former member, has a $500 deductible and if non-PPO providers are used, the reimbursement rate is 50%. Dr. Cobb introduced Mr. Denny Bass, President of Benesys, which is the new name for Self-Insurance Administrators, and Ms. Wendy Telford, Representative from American LIFECARE. A brief period of comments and questions followed.
Mr. Kessler arrived during Dr. Cobb's report.
Superintendent Cobb shared background information regarding the Margaret Rhone Center's (M.R.C.) use of the old Greenwood School. At the August 5 meeting the Board had commissioned Mr. Andy Shealy, Assistant District Attorney, to negotiate with Mr. Bill Autrey regarding their lease of the building which had expired. After numerous attempts by Mr. Shealy, with no success, Dr. Cobb called this Special Session of the Board and invited Mr. Autrey to the meeting. Mr. Autrey informed the Board of plans to relocate to a new facility and vacate the building no later than March 30, 1998. He requested permission to remain until that time rent free. Several minutes were spent with comments and questions by Board members and answers and comments from District Attorney Bob Levy. An issue with the Board was the fact that rent was being charged to a for-profit business of which the Board was unaware. Mr. Autrey explained that all of the rental monies were used in the maintenance of the facility. It became evident that the Board was willing to allow M.R.C. to remain in the school until March but not without a reasonable rental fee.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted for the Executive Committee and legal counsel to enter into immediate negotiations with Mr. Bill Autrey and his representatives in order to find a fair figure for rent on the old Greenwood School. This should be done within one week.
The parties concerned agreed to meet immediately following the conclusion of the meeting.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, said bids were opened November 18 for the Alternative School's vocational shop. He recommended acceptance of the low alternative bid of Bailey Construction in the amount of $38,450 and that a change order be issued deleting the dirt work from the bid. This would result in a $2,400 savings causing the net bid to be $36,050 which is $1,050 above the estimated cost.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to accept Bailey Construction's bid of 38,450 for the construction of a vocational shop at the Alternative School and to issue a change order deleting the dirt work from the bid which would result in a $36,040 net bid amount.
There being no further business as the Consideration of termination of a faculty member had been deleted from the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President