LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 6, 1998 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 6, 1998 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, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Dr. Marty Beasley and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson were absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Anders. Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, members of the official staff, and media.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda, with the addition of one item to the agenda: Agreement allowing the Ruston High School baseball team use of an old airport hangar.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on December 2, 1997 as distributed.
Election of officers for 1998 was the next agenda item to be considered and the floor was opened for nominations for board president.
Mr. Mack nominated Mr. Wright to serve as president.
Mr. Tuten, citing an informal agreement made several year earlier that 4 years would be the maximum that a president would serve, nominated Mr. Barfield.
Mr. Mitcham moved that nominations cease and Mr. Dowling seconded that motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of those present.
Voting for Mr. Barfield by roll call vote: Mr. Dowling and Mr. Tuten.
Voting for Mr. Wright by roll call vote: Mr. Anders, Mr. Mack, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Kessler, Mr. Shadoin, and Mr. Mitcham.
Abstaining from the vote: Mr. Barfield and Mr. Wright.
The result of this vote was 6 for Mr. Wright and 2 for Mr. Barfield; thereby electing Mr. Wright to serve as president of the Lincoln Parish School Board for the 1998 year.
Mr. Wright thanked the board of his peers for their vote of confidence and pledged to do his best.
The floor was opened for nominations for the office of vice-president for 1998.
Mr. Anders nominated Mr. Barfield to serve as vice-president. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mack who also moved that nominations cease.
Mr. Mitcham seconded the motion that nominations cease.
The Board unanimously voted by voice vote to elect Mr. Barfield to serve as vice president of the Lincoln Parish School Board for the 1998 year.
Principal of Choudrant High School, Mr. Ronald Crawford, gave a brief history of the school's F.F.A. program and recognized the sponsor, Mr. Ricky Edmiston. His teams were the area and state sweepstakes winners for the second consecutive year. He took 4 teams, composed of 19 students, to Kansas to compete nationally. They brought 2 bronze and 2 silver medals back to the school. Mr. Edmiston introduced several of the team members who were in attendance at the meeting. He thanked Mr. Crawford; Vocational Supervisor, Ms. Barbara Kirkland; and Mr. Kessler for backing and support and thanked the Board for their cooperation and for recognizing the teams. Superintendent Gerald Cobb presented a plaque to Mr. Edmiston in recognition of winning the F.F.A. State Sweepstakes title. He and Mr. Wright commended the students, Mr. Edmiston, and Mr. Crawford for the outstanding F.F.A. program which teaches the young people life skills. They were urged to continue their good work.
Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, was pleased to report that the 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the month ending December 31, 1997 were up again: 6% over last month and 3% for the year. Audit revenue was down 74% compared to last year but she reminded members that an unusually large collection was received in August, 1996.
Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Ronnie Suggs, said a staff inservice day is scheduled for January 16, 1998 was included by the administration in the 97-98 school calendar. Times and general information on the different sessions; instructional personnel, bus drivers, maintenance, food service, and school secretaries; were included and additional information will be mailed to Board members before the inservice. He invited members to attend any of the meetings.
The Board was reminded by Mr. Willie Washington, Title I Supervisor, that permission was granted at a previous meeting for Title I to enter into a lease-purchase agreement in the amount of $137,000 for a computer lab at Alma J. Brown Elementary School. Mr. David Wolf, Bond Counsel to the Board, advised Mr. Washington that Certificates of Indebtedness in the amount of $100,000 would cover the need and represent a savings. Based on that information, Mr. Washington recommended that the Board rescind the previous action regarding the lease-purchase agreement and approve a Resolution allowing the Lincoln Parish School Board to incur this debt.
Mr. Wolf said in order to purchase the computer equipment out right, have a cleaner document, and to save money, he recommends purchasing the Certificates of Indebtedness. On a loan amount of $100,000 Community Trust Bank of Ruston offered the lowest interest rate, 4.35%. Semi-annual installments would be due with a scheduled pay off date of February, 2002.
After several comments and questions, upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to rescind the previous action of October 7, 1997 regarding the lease-purchase agreement and approve the Resolution authorizing the incurring of debt and the issuance, sale, and delivery of $100,000 of Certificates of Indebtedness, Series 1998, of the Parish School Board of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb remarked that changes to the policy manual were discussed at the December 2 meeting. He recommended adoption of the new and revised policies.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised School Board Ethics, Investments, Bids and Quotations, Student Transportation Management, Health Examinations, Substitute Teachers, Support Personnel Employment, and School Food Service Management policies and the new Short Term Notes policy.
Dr. Cobb also related that several laws passed during the 1997 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature necessitated revisions to the School Admission, Grading, and Student Health Services policies. One new policy has been formulated, ID, Curriculum. He explained the recommended changes to each policy and the Curriculum policy. These were presented for informational purposes only with approval to be requested at the January 21 meeting.
In order to recognize the vital role of school nurses in the educational process and in the health and well-being of school children throughout the state, Governor Mike Foster has proclaimed Wednesday, January 28, 1998 as School Nurse Day in the state of Louisiana. Superintendent Cobb requested Board approval of Governor Foster's proclamation.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tuten, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proclamation declaring January 28, 1998 as School Nurse Day in the state of Louisiana.
Ms. Juanita Duke shared Mr. David Wolf's opinion that now is a good time to refinance the 1987 Choudrant bond issue which currently has outstanding bonds of $410,000 and a 33% millage rate. Approximately $40,000 in savings would be realized at this time due to the current lower interest rates available and the lower administrative cost for refinancing an issue of this size. She anticipates an expected millage reduction of .55. Mr. Wolf explained the procedure and said this is the best time to refinance this issue.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted by poll vote to adopt the Resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not to exceed Four Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 1998 of Choudrant School District No. 6 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana; providing certain terms of said bonds; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mr. Wolf shared a couple of other suggestions for the Board for future consideration: refunding Ruston's 1991 bond issue in order to save about 1% and three tax millages which bring in approximately $1,300,000 and expire after 1998.
President Wright expressed the Board's appreciation to Mr. Wolf and said the Board will respond appropriately at the proper time.
Dr., Cobb presented the addendum which was a request from the Ruston High School Baseball Booster Club for the Board to enter into a lease-agreement with the City of Ruston for the use of one of the hangars for baseball practice in inclement weather. This lease would require no monies, is for a period of 3 - 4 months, and is similar to the agreement between the City and LA Tech last year. Basically, Dr. Cobb explained, the agreement indemnifies the City of Ruston against accidents and makes the Board responsible during the period of time the property is used. Since this would be very beneficial and is at no cost, Dr. Cobb recommended that the Board sign the lease and indemnify the City of Ruston.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to enter into a lease-agreement with the City of Ruston regarding the use of one of the hangars by the Ruston High School baseball team.
In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb informed the Board that:
1) L.S.B.A. convention information was included in appropriate packets.
2) The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for January 21, 1998 at Hillcrest Elementary School.
3) They had his personal invitation to attend the workshops scheduled for January 16.
4) Committee Assignment Preference for 1998 forms should be completed and turned in to Mr. David Wright.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President