LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, August 4, 1998 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 4, 1998 at 6:00 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, Mr. Wayne Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Mr. Rob Shadoin.
Mr. Allen Tuten and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson were absent.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Dr. Beasley gave the invocation. Mr. Wright welcomed special guests, members of the media, and members of the official staff. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with the addition of an item of Unfinished Business, Resolution declaring an emergency to exist at Ruston High School's James Stadium.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 7, 1998 as distributed.
President Wright decided to vary from the agenda and introduced new Grambling State University President, Dr. Steve Favors, and former Lincoln Parish student, Mr. Albert Jackson, who both spoke briefly to the Board.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Assistant Superintendent Ronnie Suggs presented 1.-5., School Food Supervisor Brenda Theodos presented 6.-8. and Director of Auxiliary Service Charles Owens presented 9.:
1. Background information on the selection process which was followed with the unanimous recommendation of the Interview Committee and Superintendent Gerald Cobb of Ms. Judy Mabry as the new principal at Simsboro, replacing Harry Jones who resigned. This would be effective August 10, 1998.
He said that he chaired the Committee which consisted of Howard Brown, Eric Carter, Ronald Crawford, Barbara Kirkland, and Charles Owens. The only two applicants were Ms. Mabry and Mr. James Smith.
2. Resignation of the following:
Lisa Dollar, kindergarten at Cypress Springs effective July 16, 1998.
Eashell Reed, effective July 23, 1998, special education at Dubach High.
Beth Johnson, special education at Hico effective July 30, 1998.
Susan Hinton, effective July 30, 1998, elementary at Hillcrest.
Anna Belle Nihart, elementary at I. A. Lewis effective July 5, 1998.
Michelle Northcott, effective July 7, 1998, elementary at Ruston Elementary.
Allison Hanson, elementary at Simsboro effective July 23, 1998.
James Nail, effective July 1, 1998, social studies teacher/coach at Simsboro.
3. Points of Reference (Transfers) all effective August 19, 1998 unless specified otherwise:
Lisa Skains from Lincoln Center to kindergarten at Choudrant Elementary replacing Rebecca Roach who was granted a sabbatical.
Vickie Wheelis from Ruston Elementary to a teaching position at Choudrant Elementary replacing Tammi Coates who resigned.
Jason Harvey from Dubach High to a social studies position at Choudrant High replacing Doug Postel who transferred to an interim administrative assistant position.
Terry Singleton from Cypress Springs to an elementary position at Hico replacing Betty Ward who was granted a sabbatical.
Alisa Antley from Simsboro to an elementary position at I. A. Lewis replacing Anna Belle Nihart who resigned.
Carolyn Peace from Dubach High to a business position at Ruston High effective August 5, 1998 replacing Ruby Moore who retired.
Yolanda Dade from I. A. Lewis to a junior high position at the Secondary Alternative School replacing Luveal Lewis who resigned.
Christy Reeves from Ruston Junior High to a junior high position at Simsboro replacing Alisa Antley who transferred to I. A. Lewis.
4. At this point in the meeting, Mr. Suggs gave a brief report on professional personnel hiring for 98-99. He explained, step by step, the process followed when a certified teacher applies for a job in Lincoln Parish. Statistics regarding the number of applicants interviewed by the 5 Ruston principals from 93 through 98 were presented along with numbers of personnel recommendations made to the Board in each of those years. An alarming trend he mentioned was a significant decrease over the years in the overall number of junior high, secondary, and minority applicants.
5. Employment of the following persons effective August 19, 1998 unless otherwise noted:
Doug Postel, interim administrative assistant at Choudrant High effective August 5, 1998 replacing James Payton who transferred.
Eldonta Osborne, interim administrative assistant at Ruston Junior High effective August 5, 1998 replacing Robert Surnmerlin.
Linda Telford, coordinating teacher effective August 12, 1998 at Simsboro High School in a new position.
Tracy Bennett, preschool teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Sharon Hemphill who is deceased.
Amy Grigsby, preschool teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Aleece Shepherd who resigned.
Kelly Keyes, kindergarten at Choudrant Elementary replacing Sandy Hogan who was granted a sabbatical.
Tina Brownfield, kindergarten at Lincoln Center replacing Lisa Skains who transferred.
Shana Canutson, teacher at Choudrant Elementary replacing Donna Williams who resigned.
Jennifer Salvail, teacher at Choudrant Elementary in a new position.
Amy Green, teacher at Glen View Elementary replacing Lori Braddock who resigned.
Debbie Joyner, teacher at Hico Elementary replacing Judy Crawford who was granted a sabbatical.
Patricia Jones, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Felicia Davis who resigned.
Gail Reeder, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary replacing Susan Hinton who resigned.
Michelle Lockhart, teacher at I. A. Lewis replacing Yolanda Dade who transferred.
Sherri Rogers, teacher at I. A. Lewis replacing Lisa Moody who was granted a sabbatical.
Allison Carodine, teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Vicki Wheelis who transferred.
Sylvia Duck, teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Michelle Northcott who resigned.
Elaine Beavers, teacher at Simsboro replacing Allison Hanson who resigned.
Polly Durrett, teacher at Simsboro replacing Doug Pierrelee who resigned.
Leigh Ann Moore, teacher at Simsboro replacing Linda Telford who transferred to coordinating teacher.
Annie Jones in a new home economics position at Choudrant High.
Sherry McConathy, math teacher at Choudrant High replacing Charles Patterson who was granted a sabbatical.
Sharon Morgan, junior high teacher at Choudrant High replacing Diane Madden who transferred.
Angela Dison, junior high teacher at Dubach High replacing Michelle Rosenberger who resigned.
Alberta Foster, business teacher at Dubach High replacing Carolyn Peace who transferred.
Michael O'Rear, social studies/coach at Dubach High replacing Jason Harvey who transferred.
Tami O'Rear, science teacher at Dubach High replacing Pam Pruden who resigned.
Debra Anderson, librarian at Ruston Junior High replacing Mattie Harrison who retired.
Penny Crawford, teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Kim Billberry who was granted a sabbatical.
Melissa Harvey, teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Sue Gullatt who transferred to Administrative Assistant.
Melissa Harwell, teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Christy Reeves who transferred.
Barry Mitchell, science/coach at Ruston Junior High replacing Bobbie Adams who retired.
Mark Spradling, teacher/coach at Ruston Junior High replacing Whitney Myers who resigned.
John Stutzman, teacher/coach at Ruston Junior High replacing Eldonta Osborne who transferred to Administrative Assistant.
Melanie Bump, business at Ruston High replacing Barbre Trigg who was granted a sabbatical.
Anita Greenwood, French at Ruston High replacing Tammy Nettles who resigned.
Kristie Johnson, English/coach at Ruston High replacing Felicia Evans who transferred.
Stacey Miller, science/coach at Ruston High replacing Ruby Fields who is deceased.
Walter Moss, band/music at Ruston High replacing Mellie Neaville who retired.
Chad Reeder, social studies/coach at Ruston High effective August 5, 1998, replacing Glenn Hunt who resigned.
Nancy Roger, math teacher at Ruston High replacing Dorothy Clark who retired.
Lydia Smith, science teacher at Ruston High replacing John Curry who resigned.
Derrick Spurlock, social studies/coach at Ruston High replacing Michael Hunter who resigned.
Len Bryan, social studies/coach at Simsboro replacing James Nail who resigned.
Sue Price, junior high teacher at Simsboro replacing Dana Daughty who resigned.
Cedric Secoundiata, social studies at Secondary Alternative School replacing Kecia Theodore who resigned.
Sabrina Deason, special education at Cypress Springs replacing Gay Ramsey who resigned.
Sharon Boose, special education at I. A. Lewis replacing Debra Minnifield who was granted a sabbatical.
Sheila Barber, special education at Simsboro replacing Jennifer Ham who resigned.
Elizabeth Harkleroad, itinerant speech therapist in a new position.
Gloria Scott, special education aide at Cypress Springs replacing Pam Williams who transferred.
Mary Johnson, special education aide at Lincoln Center replacing Patricia O'Brien who resigned.
6. Resignation of the following School Food Service employees:
Betty Holland as technician/4 hour worker at Cypress Springs effective July 1, 1998.
Eva Nell Brazzel, effective July 28, 1998, as technician/4 hour worker at Hico.
Dee Dowling as clerk at Simsboro effective August 1, 1998.
7. Employment of the following school food service personnel effective August 19, 1998:
Darcie Flowers, technician/4 hour worker at Cypress Springs replacing Betty Holland who resigned.
Tammy Russell in a new technician/4 hour position at I. A. Lewis.
Patsy Gray, technician at Ruston Elementary, replacing Dorothy White who was terminated.
Elbe Harrison, technician/4 hour worker at Ruston High, replacing Teresa Anderson who transferred.
Edna McDonald, technician/ 4 hour worker at Ruston High, replacing Annette Davis who moved into a 7 hour slot.
Margie Pike as technician at Hillcrest replacing Karen Otwell who transferred.
8. Transfer, effective August 5, 1998 unless otherwise noted, of the following school food service personnel:
Robert Curry, from Grambling High, to technician at Cypress Springs, effective August 19, 1998, replacing Sandy Spillers who resigned.
Annette Davis, from 4 hour to 7 hour technician at Ruston High, effective August 19, 1998, replacing Becky Pickett who transferred.
Teresa Anderson, from Ruston High, to clerk at Grambling High replacing Nancy Marshall who was terminated.
Becky Pickett, from Ruston High, to clerk at I. A. Lewis in a new position.
Karen Otwell, from Hillcrest, to clerk at Simsboro replacing Dee Dowling who resigned.
9. Employment of the following effective August 1, 1998 unless otherwise specified:
Allen Arnold, in a new maintenance position at the central office.
Glenda Jones, custodian at the central office, replacing Deborah Pringle who transferred to secretary at the Secondary Alternative School.
Arthur Thomas, in a new maintenance position at the central office.
Johnny Wilson, custodian at Ruston High replacing James Hatter who resigned.
Sharon Samuel, in a new custodial position at the Secondary Alternative School effective August 12, 1998.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Mr. Wright shared with the Board regarding his recent attendance at the National School Board Association's Southern Region Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Overall the conference, Preserving Our Heritage: Public Schools, was quite interesting and motivational according to Mr. Wright.
Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, was delighted to report that sales tax collections for the month ending July 31, 1998 soared 30% over the same month last year, mainly because of new construction in the parish which will probably level out in the near future. A slight increase in automobile sales also contributed to the large sales tax figure. Collections in the '67 and '79 funds were $91,784 and $55,070 was the '93 sales tax total. Audit recoveries for the first month of the 98 fiscal year were $5,678 which is up 6.13% from last year.
Ronnie Suggs had more good news concerning state test scores. He called attention to three pages which contained comparisons on the IOWA and LEAP tests and ranking among parishes on the IOWA. Since grades 1 - 11 took the IOWA test for the first time in the spring of '98 and scores were predicted by the State Department to drop about 30%, he was pleased to report that all of Lincoln Parish's 1-11 grade levels scored above the 50th percentile in core subjects. On the LEAP, which is about 8-9 years old, the students' scores went up in 4 grade levels, down in 4 grade levels, and were consistent in 3. Beginning next year, he reported, elementary and junior high students will have a new LEAP test which is to be much tougher with national and international standards. "Overall, these are excellent, consistent test scores and the administration is very pleased," he said. He attributed the scores to the instructional staff, students, and parents.
Superintendent Cobb presented a revised Administration of Medication (JGCD) policy which was introduced at the previous meeting. He also reiterated that Code of Ethics for School Board Members (BH-E) and Health Examinations (GCRA) have become obsolete because of recent changes in other policies. He recommended that the Board adopt the Administration of Medication policy and delete BHE and GCRA from the policy manual.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised Administration of Medication policy JGCD) and the deletion of Code of Ethics for School Board Members (GH-E) and Health Examinations (GCRA) policies.
Mr. Owens said bids were opened on July 24, 1998 for the additions to the technical and industrial building at Ruston High School. He recommended that the Board accept the base bid from Davis Construction for $159,000 and the alternate bid #1 in the amount of $20,000 for a total cost of $179,000 and reject the alternate bid #2 for $5,000.
Mr. Abrahm suggested leaving the $5,000 alternate bid #2 for a new driveway near the cooling tower in the project and in fact made the motion to accept the bids as indicated by Mr. Owens with the inclusion of the base, alternate #1 and alternate #2 for a total of $184,000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Anders and the Board unanimously voted to accept the bids.
At the July meeting permission was given to have four concrete poles installed at Ruston High School's James Stadium at a projected cost of $13,500, Mr. Owens reported. A request for quotes was sent to five companies but only one responded. All-Terrain Leasing and Highline Construction, Inc. proposed to furnish and install four 70' concrete poles and connect all associated lights and public address equipment for the price of $22,755. Since safety is a factor, and football games will be played in the stadium shortly after the start of school, Mr. Owens requested that an emergency be declared at Ruston High School in order to get the poles replaced as soon as possible and to comply with applicable bid laws since the quote exceeds the $15,000 cap.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, In accordance with provisions of Section 2211 of Title 38 of the Revised Statutes of Louisiana, authority granted to the Lincoln Parish School Board to declare an emergency to exist because of the weakening of four wooden light poles at Ruston High School's James Stadium.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in view of the emergency existing, authority is hereby given for the installation of four new concrete poles.
The only item of New Business was concerning a grievance which had been filed by an employee. Dr. Cobb asked how the Board wanted to dispose of the matter. He shared their options when an employee files a grievance which are: use background materials only, hear the grievance, or take no action.
Dr. Beasley moved that the employee's grievance be heard and Mr. Mack seconded the motion. By a show of hands vote, Mr. Mack, Dr. Beasley, and Mr. Anders voted for the motion. Voting against the motion: Mr. Kessler, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, and Mr. Barfield. The results were 3 for and 6 against the motion; therefore, the motion failed.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board voted 6 for and 3 against the motion to take no action. Voting for the motion by a show of hands: Mr. Kessler, Mr. Abrahm, Mr. Shadoin, Mr. Mitcham, Mr. Dowling, and Mr. Barfield. Voting against the motion: Mr. Mack, Dr. Beasley, and Mr. Anders. The employee's grievance was not heard.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb related that:
1) The qualifying period for all Board slots will begin on Wednesday, August 19, 1998 and end on Friday, August 21, 1998.
2) The next meeting of the Board, September 1, will begin with a 5:45 p.m. Finance Committee meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary
David Wright, President