LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 1, 1998 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 1, 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. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Mr. Joe Mitcham and Mr. Calvin Wilkerson were absent.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Shadoin gave the invocation. Mr. Wright welcomed special guests, members of the press, and of the official staff. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum containing one item of New Business: Resolution opposing private and parochial school vouchers.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on August 4, 1998 as printed.
District Judge Cynthia Woodard who recently began presiding over juvenile court in the parish, came before the Board to share her plans to work with the schools through Superintendent Gerald Cobb in order to offer her services. She briefly explained two programs already in place which she plans to continue, Families in Need of Services (FINS) and a video series with crisis counseling. She introduced the Crisis Counselor, Kathy Ayo, and the FINS Coordinator, Susan Hollis, to the group. Judge Woodard discussed three more programs, truancy school, litter van, and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) which she is planning for the future. She asked for the Board's support and involvement and she pledged to do her best to help the children of the parish become contributing members of society.
The Board expressed their support and deep appreciation for her help putting teeth in some preventative-type measures in working with children and their parents.
Mr. Wright announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing for the proposed 98-99 budget. After brief comments and questions regarding the budget, Mr. Wright closed the public hearing time.
The Finance Committee attempted to meet just prior to the 6:00 meeting of the Board but a quorum was not present. Therefore, the Board served as a Finance Committee of the Whole and Business Manager Juanita Duke delivered a budget summary presentation and quickly provided detailed information that she felt was necessary. Total revenues projected for the year ending June 30, 1999 from local, state and federal sources for the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds are $33,808,011. Estimated expenditures for the 98-99 fiscal year from the same funds are $34,787,668.
Finance Committee Chairman Mr. Tuten offered the motion, seconded by Dr. Beasley, to approve the beginning budget for 98-99. The Board unanimously voted by roll call vote in favor of the motion. Mr. Mitcham and Mr. Wilkerson did not vote because of their absence.
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 Service Supervisor Brenda Theodos presented 6.- 9., Interim Transportation Supervisor James Payton presented 10.- 11., and Director of Auxiliary Services Charles Owens presented 12.:
1. Request for a leave without pay for the first semester of 98-99, effective August 3, 1998 for Katherine Keil.
2. Requests for sabbatical leave for:
The second semester of 98-99, effective January 14, 1999 for Tammy Schales, teacher at Glen View Elementary.
The 98-99 school year, effective August 5, 1998 for Ruston Junior High School Assistant Principal Robert Summerlin.
3. As a point of reference, he mentioned the following transfers, effective August 19, 1998 unless otherwise stated:
Janet Hammock, from Hillcrest to special education at Cypress Springs replacing Paulette Johnson who resigned.
Melanie Saunders from Ruston High to special education at Cypress Springs replacing Sabrina Deason who transferred.
Sheila Barber from Simsboro to special education at Dubach High replacing Eashell Reed who resigned.
Sabrina Deason from Cypress Springs to special education at Hico replacing Beth Johnson who resigned.
Debbie Pruitt from homebound to special education at Hillcrest replacing Janet Hammock who transferred.
Ben Green from I. A. Lewis to a new junior high position at the Secondary Alternative School.
Nancy Wallace from Pupil Appraisal to a new, special education, itinerant, interim behavioral interventionist position, effective August 5, 1998.
Marilyn Gray from Lincoln Center to a new special education aide position at Simsboro.
4. Resignation of the following:
Effective August 7, 1998, of Paulette Johnson, special education at Cypress Springs.
Lisa Thigpen, kindergarten at Cypress Springs, effective August 4, 1998.
Effective August 17, 1998, of Kathryn Davis, French at Hico/Dubach.
Barbara Smith, math at Ruston High School, effective July 31, 1998.
5. Employment of the following persons all effective August 19, 1998 unless otherwise noted:
Alexis Defreese as kindergarten at Choudrant Elementary in a new position and effective September 10, 1998.
Amanda Pierot as language arts at Choudrant High in a new position.
Patricia Saber as teacher at Cypress Springs, effective August 31, 1998, replacing Lisa Thigpen who resigned.
Marjorie Almond as preschool at Hico Elementary in a new position.
Reggie McLeroy as discipline coordinator in a new, Title I/Drug Free, itinerant position.
Diane Helferich as assessment teacher for pupil appraisal replacing Nancy Wallace who transferred.
Patsy Lewis as speech at Ruston High replacing Katherine Keil who was granted a first semester leave without pay.
Joe Taylor in a new special education position at Ruston Junior High.
Shirley Boyd as special education at Simsboro replacing Sheila Barber who transferred.
Natarsha Davis as music teacher at Simsboro replacing Cindy Boudinot who resigned.
LaRhonda Burks in a new Title I aide position at Glen View.
Gwen Flanagan in a new Title I aide position at Glen View.
Carolyn Smith in a new Title I computer proctor position at Glen View.
Natasha Ellis in a new special education aide position at Hico.
Virginia Stringfellow in a new 8g aide position at Hico.
Robbie Burnham as special education aide at Lincoln Center effective August 26, 1998 replacing Marilyn Gray who transferred.
6. Retirement of Stella Richards, effective August 19, 1998, as school food service technician at Ruston Junior High.
7. Resignation of the following school food service personnel:
Misty Everett, effective August 3, 1998, as clerk at Ruston Junior High.
Effective August 6, 1998, Marci Mathis as technician at Ruston Junior High.
8. As a point of reference, effective August 5, 1998, school food service transfers as follows:
Renee Jones from Ruston Elementary to clerk at Simsboro replacing Karen Otwell who transferred.
Karen Otwell from Simsboro to clerk at Ruston Junior High replacing Mistry Everett who resigned.
Effective August 19, 1998:
Darcie Flowers from Cypress Springs to technician at Ruston Junior High replacing Marcie Mathis who resigned.
Linda Norred from Choudrant to technician at Ruston Junior High replacing Stella Richards who retired.
9. Employment of the following school food service personnel effective August 19, 1998 unless otherwise noted:
Angie Emanuel as technician at Ruston Elementary replacing Renee Jones who transferred.
Tracie McGowen as 4 hour technician at Choudrant replacing Linda Norred who transferred.
Dana Culpepper as 4 hour technician at Cypress Springs replacing Darci Flowers who transferred.
10. Resignation of the following Ruston transportation employees: Barbara Manning, bus aide, effective August 25, 1998. Tommy Simmons, effective August 11, 1998 as bus driver.
11. Employment, effective August 19, 1998 of Salvin Albritton as bus driver in the Ruston area replacing Tommy Simmons who resigned.
12. Retirement effective July 29, 1998 of Sharon Marshall, custodian at Glen View.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Mr. Suggs said each year the parish applies and receives federal money under Title I of Public Law 81-874 which provides funds for general operation and maintenance. Eligibility is based upon the number of federally-connected children in the parish. To qualify, children must have a parent employed on federal property, on full-time active duty in any branch of the armed forces, or live on federal property. Approximately 300 students are identified each year which brings in about $10,000 in aid to be placed in the general fund to be used to defray extra costs that may be incurred as a result of these students moving into our system. He requested permission to apply for these funds.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to apply for Impact Aid funding for 98-99.
During the past six years, through the efforts of the Lincoln Parish School Board, the town of Choudrant, and the Community Development Block Grant Agency, Choudrant High School has developed an athletic complex for the school and community use, Charles Owens reported. This complex consists of a softball field, a baseball field, and tennis courts but there are no rest room facilities. He proposed the construction of a 720 square foot building which would contain rest room facilities, concession facilities, and storage area for the three sports. The shell, which would be of cinder block construction with an "A" frame composition roof, and roughed-in plumbing and electricity would be the responsibility of the Board. Choudrant High School and the athletic booster club would be responsible for the partitioning, fixtures, and finish work. He projects the cost to the Board to be $16,000 which would be paid out of the '93 ad valorem tax fund. He requested permission to advertise for bids.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the construction of this facility at Choudrant High School through the shell stage.
Juanita Duke reminded Board members that each year schools are allocated funds from the 1979 sales tax fund for library supplement ($1.75), classroom supplies ($3.00), office supplies and equipment repair/purchase ($3.00), student services ($3.00), debate and speech ($1.50), and kindergarten ($100 per teacher). These funds are distributed on a per pupil basis and sent directly to the schools to be disbursed by the principal. She recommended sending the per pupil allotments shown above which are the same as 97-98 amounts and included the Secondary Alternative School. Ms. Duke mentioned that the total to be disbursed to the schools would be $96,134.
By unanimous vote the Board approved the annual school allocation of funds for 98-99 from the 1979 sales tax as outlined by Ms. Duke.
Ms. Duke was delighted to again report that sales tax collections are up, mainly because of ongoing construction in the parish. Compared to this month last year, collections are up 17.17% and so far this year 22.22% of the total receipts from last year has been accumulated. Year-to-date as of this month last year, we are 24.5% above our year-to-date collections at this time last year. She said that $13,610 has been recovered by audits which is about 14.69% of the amount received last year.
Ms. Duke went over the Financial Statement as of and for the year ended June 30, 1998. She shared fund balances in each account.
It was a very good opening of school again this year with the usual adjustments being made, Ronnie Suggs reported. He commended the central office staff and school personnel for doing an exceptional job getting the school year started. Simsboro and Choudrant have grown, the city kindergarten numbers are down, and between 60 and 70 students are attending the Secondary Alternative School. Preliminary numbers today totaled approximately 6,800 which is down about 50-60 from this time last year. He estimates that October 1 numbers will be a little short of last years 6,948.
Dr. Charles Scriber, principal of Ruston High School, reported major scheduling changes at the school with block scheduling. On the block schedule each student has four 90 minutes classes compared to six 50 minutes classes. Consequently, each absence on the block is equal to 1.8 absences when compared to the regular six period day schedule. The state attendance law allows for 10 absences per semester and 20 per year for a regular six or seven period day, but recommends 4 absences per nine week period and 8 absences for the full term of the course, which is eighteen weeks. Since one class period missed is significantly more on the block schedule, he recommended that the Board approve an absentee policy for RHS allowing only 4 absences per semester and 8 per term.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the revised absentee policy at RHS allowing only 4 absences per semester and 8 per term.
Superintendent Cobb summarized changes necessary to the following Lincoln Parish School Board policies because of laws which were passed during the 1998 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature:
School Year: Establishes a 182 day work year for teachers instead of 180 days
School Day: Adds 30 minutes to the mandated 330 minutes per day of instructional time for a total of 360 minutes of instructional time per day
School Superintendent:
Changes period of Superintendents' appointment to a period which shall not extend longer than two years after the expiration of the term of office of the membership of the Board electing the Superintendent
Substitute Teachers:
Deletes unnecessary language
Professional Personnel Hiring:
Adds the wording that if the Board rejects a personnel recommendation made by the Superintendent, it is the Superintendent's responsibility to present another, adds the word teachers to the list of persons the Superintendent will consult with, whenever possible, in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and assigning all personnel; and adds information concerning rehiring of retired teachers
Sabbaticals: Updates some of the wording but mostly deals with rest and recuperation and the fact an employee cannot work for another employer during an R&R sabbatical.
Board Member Continuing Education:
Introduces this new policy which will be discussed more in depth at a later meeting.
These policy changes were submitted for consideration only and will be on the agenda of the October 6 meeting for Board approval.
The United States Congress is considering several options to strengthen the social security program, Dr. Cobb shared. The one option that seems to be gaining momentum is to mandate social security coverage for all state and local government employees. If this occurs, he feels that future retirement benefits for new employees could be significantly reduced. Employer and employee contributions would have to be dramatically increased to cover the social security contributions unless these reductions occur. Dr. Cobb said the Congressional delegation needs to hear the concerns of their constituents and he strongly suggested that they be contacted to indicate the Board's opposition to mandatory social security coverage for state employees and teachers. He presented a sample letter for their approval.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the letter to the congressional delegation verbalizing the Board's opposition to mandatory social security coverage for state employees and teachers.
The last item for the Board to consider was a resolution opposing private and parochial school vouchers. Dr. Cobb said the National School Boards Association is requesting that local Boards pass a resolution opposing vouchers which will send a message to members of Congress that private and/or parochial vouchers are not supported by their constituency. The message should be clearly stated that it is fundamentally wrong to spend public tax money to finance private and/or parochial schools. He presented a resolution for their perusal.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following:
RESOLUTION
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Tax revenues paid into the federal, state, or local treasuries by citizens of this community should be utilized to support public school children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we urge policy makers to oppose any efforts to use public tax dollars to finance private and parochial school vouchers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we urge policy makers to oppose providing tax breaks for the tuition and fees of private and parochial schools; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That we urge policy makers to work with our local community to ensure that our public schools provide world-class educational opportunities for all our children.
In the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb noted that Board election time is fast approaching and a schedule of the schools' open houses was included in packets.
After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary
David Wright, President