LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 5, 1999 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 5, 1999 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, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Rob Shadoin, and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Absent: None.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation 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.
District Judge Cindy Woodard was present and administered the Oath of Office was given all reelected board members and Ms. Mattie Harrison, Ward 2A, who replaces recently retired Mr. Calvin Wilkerson.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda, with the addition of one item of New Business to the agenda: Resolution declaring an emergency to exist at Hico Elementary.
Mr. Kessler requested to go on record as supporting the resolution honoring Mr. Calvin Wilkerson which the Board approved in his absence.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on December 1, 1998 as distributed.
Election of officers for 1999 was the next agenda item to be considered and the floor was opened for nominations for board president.
Dr. Beasley nominated Mr. Wright to serve as president and Mr. Mack seconded the motion.
Mr. Shadoin moved that nominations cease and Mr. Anders seconded that motion.
The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of those present.
Mr. Wright thanked the board of his peers for their vote of confidence and said he will serve the Board as presiding officer to the best of his ability.
The floor was opened for nominations for the office of vice-president for 1999.
Mr. Barfield, prior to nominations, voiced his preference to step down as vice-president for the year due to health reasons.
Mr. Mack nominated Mr. Shadoin to serve as vice-president. The motion was seconded by Mr. Abrahm.
Mr. Barfield moved that nominations cease and Mr. Mitcham seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Wright congratulated Mr. Shadoin on his selection as vice-president for 1999.
Mr. Shadoin also expressed his thanks to the Board and pledged to do everything he can to serve the Board and more importantly the children.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after the were presented by Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent:
1. Resignation of the following teachers:
Joe Taylor, effective December 18, 1998, special education at Ruston Junior High School.
Effective December 14, 1998, Simsboro's social studies/coach, Len Bryan.
Alice Higginbotham, effective December 31, 1998, special education at A. E. Phillips.
2. Emergency sabbatical for the remainder of 9899 for Beth Vosburg, Title I teacher at Ruston Elementary.
Mr. Suggs said this meets all local and state guidelines for emergency sabbaticals.
3. Point of Reference/Transfer of Betty Wall from Pupil Appraisal Coordinator into a new job classification as 504/dyslexia coordinator and K3 reading/screening coordinator at the central office, effective January 4, 1999.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
At this point in the meeting President Wright recognized newly-elected Board Member, Ms. Mattie Harrison, who pledged to work diligently, listen, and familiarize herself with the policies of the Lincoln Parish School Board. She expressed her total commitment to quality education for all children and her willingness and readiness to work.
Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, was pleased to report that the 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the month ending December 31, 1998 were up again:
9.84% over last month and 12.44% for the year. Audit revenue collected for the month was $5,395 which brought the yearly total collected by audits to $66,154.
Ms. Duke also presented a November, 1998 financial statement and said the general fund balance is $1,762,000 which is a good balance. Ad valorem, 5 mill, and maintenance and operation balances have dropped as expected for this time of the year. Operating transfers of approximately $200,000 to the 5 mill and 93 ad valorem funds have been executed which was expected and budgeted, she related.
One of two state-mandated instructional staff inservice days is scheduled for January 15, 1999 according to Ms. Barbara Kirkland, Vocational Supervisor. Dr. Mamie McCullough, a nationally known motivational speaker from Dallas, Texas, will be the keynote speaker during the morning general session.
Fifty parish teachers and administrators will present approximately 10 group interest sessions and 17 workshops in the afternoon. She reviewed the schedule and invited members to attend any of the sessions.
Superintendent Gerald Cobb remarked that when plans began for the Secondary Alternative School, very goods ideas abounded, but there was no money. The problem was solved by Senator Randy Ewing. He was able to get the funding from the Legislature for the initial construction of the facility and additional funding this year for equipment, supplies, and possible expansion of the building. Without his assistance the school would still be in the planning stage. In recognition of his role in the establishment of the school, Dr. Cobb requested the Board's permission to present Senator Ewing with an appreciation plaque from them.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve an appreciation plaque for Senator Randy Ewing for his assistance in securing funding for the Secondary Alternative School.
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 27, 1999 as School Nurse Day in the state of Louisiana.
Superintendent Cobb stated that Lincoln Parish's nurses do an excellent job and 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 27, 1999 as School Nurse Day in the state of Louisiana.
Dr. Cobb also related that approval was given by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) of a policy regarding the withholding of grades if reimbursement is not received for damages to textbooks, instructional materials, supplies, and/or equipment. Following the recommendation of the Board's policy manual consulting firm, he submitted a new Student Fees, Fines, and Charges policy, JS). This policy tracts the requirements as specified by BESE in accordance with a 1997 legislative mandate.
Approval of the proposed policy would make the old Student Fees, Fines, and Charges policy, JS-R) obsolete.
These policy changes were presented for the Board's consideration with approval to be requested at the January 20 meeting.
Ms. Juanita Duke reminded the Board that the purchase of a much needed phone system for the Central Office was approved last year. Only one bid was received which was in excess of amounts budgeted; therefore, the bid was rejected. In addition, realizing that several schools have outdated phone systems, now is the time to seize the opportunity for subsidizing through E-Rate in order to begin updating the older systems in our schools and in the central office. The E-Rate program is administered by an organization appointed by Congress and phone systems are given first priority approval in funding. E-Rate will subsidize a percentage of funding of the cost of the phone system for each site with the percentage based on the number of students and the economic need at each school. She said they are currently waiting for the approved E-Rate percentages for the 9798 application, which she anticipates will be as follows: Ruston High School 60% or 80%, Ruston Junior High 70% or 80%, and Simsboro High 80%, Central Office not applicable. If the application is not approved, the acceptance of the proposals for the purchase of the phone systems at the schools would be voided. The cost of the system for the central office and the remaining cost after E-Rate will be budgeted in the 99-00 school year in the 1993 Ad Valorem Fund. Estimated cost to the Board is $60,000 to $75,000 for all four phone systems. Ms. Duke requested permission to advertise and accept proposals for new phone systems at the central office and the three schools.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise and accept proposals for new phone systems at the central office, Ruston High School, Ruston Junior High, and Simsboro High School.
Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, presented the addendum which was a resolution declaring an emergency to exist at Hico Elementary in order to expedite repairs to the roof. A recent ice storm severely damaged a portion of the roof which caused leaks in several classrooms and in the office area. He sought permission to spend up to sixteen thousand dollars for the repairs.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
Resolved, In accordance with provisions Section 2211 of Title 3S of the Revised Statutes of Louisiana, authority is granted to the Lincoln Parish School Board to declare an emergency to exist because of the damages sustained to the roof at Hico Elementary School as a result of a severe ice storm which occurred on December 23, 1998.
Further Resolved, That in view of the emergency existing, authority is hereby given for the purchase of certain materials and labor required for the repair of the roof at Hico Elementary School not to exceed sixteen thousand dollars.
In a report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb informed the Board that:
1) Committee Assignment Preference for 1999 forms should be completed and turned in to Mr. David Wright.
2) Absentee voting for millage renewals is scheduled for this week, January 4-8.
3) The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for January 20, 1999 at the Secondary Alternative School.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President