LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, January 21, 1998 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 12:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary School. 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, and Mr. Rob Shadoin.
Absent were Mr. Allen Tuten and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Vice President Barfield. Mr. Wright led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, media, and members of the official staff to the meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as distributed.
Principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, Ms. Patrice Hay, was glad to welcome visitors to the school. She shared her appreciation for recent painting done inside the building, repair of roof leaks, and a special thank you to Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, and his maintenance staff. As a recently appointed principal, Ms. Hay, also treasures the Board's confidence in her abilities. She invited members to visit the classrooms at the conclusion of the meeting.
Prior to the Personnel Committee Report, Assistant Superintendent Suggs reported that the faculty, chosen by Principal Clifton Lewis and himself, is in place for the Secondary Alternative School. A three to four week orientation period has been planned for the faculty. The school will possibly be open to students in the latter part of February. Applications for students are currently being accepted. Mr. Clifton Lewis will present a more in depth report at the February meeting of the Board.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed:
Mr. Ronnie Suggs presented items 1.-3. and Mr. Howard Whitlock, Transportation Supervisor, presented 4.:
1. Resignation of Tracy Waldrop, effective January 16, 1998 as math teacher at Ruston Junior High School.
2. Points of Reference/Transfers to the Secondary Alternative School effective January 26, 1998:
Diane Madden, science teacher at Choudrant High School, to teach science.
Shirley May, junior high alternative teacher at Lincoln Center, to teach English.
Felicia Evans, math teacher at Ruston High, to teach math.
3. Employment of the following effective January 20, 1998 unless otherwise stated:
Toya Holiday as alternative teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Cheryl Buggs who transferred.
Effective January 26, 1998, Luveal Lewis as junior high alternative teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Shirley May who transferred.
Donna Fitts as teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Julie Holmes who was granted a sabbatical.
Sandy Crawford as math teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Mandy Bain who was granted a sabbatical.
Steven Murphy as math teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Tracey Waldrop who resigned.
Angela Sears as science teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Kathryn Boddie who was granted a sabbatical.
Effective January 26, 1998, Billy Graham as a vocational teacher/coordinator in a new position at the Secondary Alternative School.
Kecia Theodore as social studies teacher at the Secondary Alternative School in a new position.
4. Retirement, effective December 15, 1997 of Richard McFadden, bus driver in the Ruston area.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the requests and recommendations.
Mr. Wright pointed out that members received a list of Committee Assignments for 1998 which he compiled from their committee assignment requests forms from the January 6 meeting. This was adopted by acclamation.
Dr. Cobb reminded the Board that they were given copies of the School Admission, JBC; Grading Systems, IHA; and Student Health Services, JGC; policies which had been revised because of Acts passed during the 1997 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. A new policy, Curriculum ID, has also become necessary.
After brief questions and comments, upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed revisions to the School Admission, Grading Systems, and Student Health Services policies and the addition of a Curriculum policy.
Mr. Charles Owens said bids for the construction of a special education classroom at Glen View Elementary were opened January 9, 1998. He recommended acceptance of the only bid submitted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Murphy's Construction Company in the amount of $33,860 for the construction of a special education classroom at Glen View.
The final item of business to be heard by the Board involved a parental concern of Mr. Bill Smith regarding the Ruston High School basketball program. He expressed his opinion that his son was discriminated against by not being allowed to try out for the varsity team. Mr. Smith felt the discrimination stemmed from the fact that his son is black, his dad is Bill Smith, and he is a freshman. He requested that the Board require coaches to allow all interested students to try out for teams.
Principal of Ruston High School, Mr. Randy Moore, distributed information on credentials considered when Head Basketball Coach Jack Thigpen was hired, his past coaching experience, and his teams' records. He shared comments regarding 9th graders' participation in sports, specifics regarding B. J. Smith, and issues mentioned by Mr. Smith. He emphatically stated that B. J. is not playing on the varsity team because he is a freshman.
Finally Coach Thigpen said all players are evaluated by him and other coaches on a daily basis and he is going to put the best team on the floor regardless of color, parents, grade, etc. He has a black freshman on his varsity team this year for the first time in his coaching career. He feels that this young man has the potential to make a major, positive contribution to the varsity team which is the standard for varsity team participation by younger students. He feels that younger ball players almost always require more fundamentals which are taught and practiced on the freshman level before entering the junior varsity and varsity playing fields. Coach Thigpen said although he is interested in winning ball games, he is also concerned with the end product which is making better people out of the students he coaches. In his opinion, B. J. is a good basketball player who is playing on the freshman team, which is where he needs to play at this time.
During a lengthy period of questions and comments, Mr. Mitcham and Mr. Barfield left the meeting.
Mr. Wright asked the Board if they should dictate policy to the coaches regarding try outs as Mr. Smith requested.
Mr. Kessler moved that the coaches be allowed to make their own determination and be allowed to coach. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dowling.
Mr. Mack voiced his disagreement, Dr. Beasley voiced her agreement, and more discussion ensued. Randy Moore suggested taking no action and allowing school personnel to take care of school business as the Board was wont to do, as long as no discrimination was suspected. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Kessler and Mr. Dowling if they would like to withdraw their motion. They expressed their desire to do so; therefore, there was no motion on the floor.
Mr. Kessler shared his impressions regarding the faculty inservice and workshops conducted on January 16. He predicts the system will continue its good work because of the hard work done organizing these worthwhile sessions.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President