LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, February 2, 1999   6:00 p.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 2, 1999 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, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Mrs. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, Mr. Joe Mitcham, and Mr. Rob Shadoin.

Mr. Wayne Barfield and Mr. Allen Tuten were absent.

President David Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Abrahm.  Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, members of the media, and the official staff.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Mitcham, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with an addendum to the personnel agenda.

Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mrs. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on January 5 and January 20, 1999 as printed.

At the Board's request, State Representatives Pinkie Wilkerson and Jay McCallum spoke to the Board and answered brief questions.  They appreciated the opportunity to visit with the Board and discussed a variety of subjects including raises, TOPS, MFP, unfunded mandates, accountability, public's perception of education, designated funds, bills, priorities, and respect for school personnel.  Both said budget shortfalls are expected this legislative session but money will be available for priorities.  Ms. Wilkerson and Mr. McCallum asked members to let them know their recommendations and suggestions on upcoming educational issues. 

The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Mr. Ronnie Suggs, Assistant Superintendent, presented items 1.-2.; Director of Auxiliary Services, Mr. Charles Owens, presented 3., 8., and 9.; and School Food Service Supervisor, Ms. Brenda Theodos, presented 4.-7.:  

                                    1.         Resignation of Ruston High School agriscience instructor, Regina Smart, effective January 22, 1999.

                                    2.         Employment of:

                                                Nicole Howard, effective January 19, 1999 as teacher at Secondary Alternative School replacing Toya Holiday who resigned.

                                                Christie Marino as agriscience instructor at Ruston High, effective January 25, 1999, replacing Regina Smart who resigned.

                                    3.         Employment of:

                                                Faye Dade, effective January 14, 1999 as receptionist at the central office replacing Terri Russell who transferred to purchasing secretary.

                                                Donna Cook in a new secretarial position at the central office effective February 1, 1999.

                                    4.         Disability retirement of Martha Lewis, S.F.S. technician at Glen View, effective December 25, 1998.

                                    5.         Resignation of:

                                                Elby Harrison, effective December 10, 1998, as S.F.S. 4 hour technician at Ruston High.

                                                S.F.S. clerk at Ruston Elementary, Dana Culpepper, effective January 15, 1999.

                                    6.         Points of Reference (transfers) of the following S.F.S. technicians effective February 1, 1999:

                                                Marcie Gray from part time to full time at Glen View due to Martha Lewis's retirement.

                                                Tracie McGowen from four hours to five hours due to an increase in participation at Choudrant.

                                                Janice Hennigan from four hours to full time at Choudrant due to an increase in participation.

                                    7.         Employment of the following S.F.S. employees:

                                                Sue Bowden, effective February 1, 1999, as 4 hour technician in a new position at Choudrant due to an increase in participation.

                                                Denise Thomas as clerk at Ruston Elementary, effective January 19, 1999, replacing Dana Culpepper who resigned.

                                    8.         Employment of Kenneth Wesley, effective February 1, 1999, as custodian at Ruston Elementary replacing Gary Perry who resigned.

                                    9.         Employment of Mary Minnifield, effective February 1, 1999, in a new custodial position at Ruston Elementary.

Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.

Mr. Wright called on Mr. Tim Green, C.P.A., who announced that the Lincoln Parish School Board is doing a good job managing money.  Mr. Green called attention to a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which deals primarily with financial numbers involved in school board operations and a Single Audit Report which deals more with federal programs.  He mentioned that there is still a little work to be done regarding fixed assets but a significant improvement over last year was noted.  This caused the subject to be addressed in a "management comment" instead of a "finding" in the current year's Single Audit Report.  He reviewed both reports and remarked that the Single Audit Report contained nothing significant except an opinion on page 38 which is "qualified" because of the year 2,000 issue.  He ended his Independent Auditor's report with the statement that he is very pleased with accounting and the business department this year.  In his opinion, Business Manager, Ms. Juanita Duke, is doing a very good job and has brought accounting to an even higher level with her background.

Record high sales tax collections may have been recorded for the month ending January 31, 1999, according to Ms. Duke.  Collections are up 18.44% over the same month last year primarily due to Christmas and construction in the parish.  Total collections year-to-date are 13.4% above the prior year.  Collected in the '67 and '79 fund was $391,969 and $235,181 was generated in the' 93 fund.  Monies recovered by audits for the month of January, 1999 were down to $4,037.                 

Ms. Duke presented the December 1998 financial report and called attention to the fund balances.  The general fund is a little low primarily because of health insurance claims and grant money being expended which has not been reimbursed. She summarized the report mentioning the 5 mill, child nutrition, sales tax, ad valorem, and district maintenance and operation funds.

Superintendent Gerald Cobb reiterated that Act 66 of the First Extraordinary Session of the 1998 Legislature requires six hours of training for all board members.  He has been informed by the Louisiana School Boards Association that one calendar year beginning January 1, 1999 has been given to accomplish the task.  They also said that a Board member can receive credit for up to five hours of training through attendance at the LSBA convention in Alexandria in March.  One half hour, as required by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), must be on the subject of accountability and has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m., March 2.  Prior to receiving this information, Superintendent Cobb was planning to propose three options concerning logistics for completing the requirements and five topic suggestions.  Several members said that they would like an overview of all five subjects Dr. Cobb mentioned, regardless of need to complete inservice requirements.  By acclamation the Board decided to wait until after the convention to determine inservice needs and a course of action. 

In order to canvass returns for the January 16, 1999 tax renewal election, Ms. Duke presented a resolution stating the vote for each precinct, including absentee votes, so that it becomes a part of the official record.  Consolidated School District #1 Equipment and Maintenance passed by a vote of 2,085 FOR and 202 AGAINST, Consolidated School District #1 Operating passed by a vote of 2,068 FOR and 207 AGAINST, and Dubach School District #5 Maintenance and Operating passed by a vote of 219 FOR and 33 AGAINST.  She said in order to comply with the Louisiana Election Code the Board must adopt a resolution canvassing the results of the election. 

Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted by roll call 10-0 to approve a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Consolidated School District #1 and Dubach School District #5 of the Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, January 16, 1999, to authorize the continuation of special taxes therein.

Dr. Cobb informed the Board that as a result of recent action by BESE, each school board is required to adopt a district test security policy that is in compliance with BESE's guidelines.  A statement of assurance regarding the policy and procedures must be submitted by each parish superintendent by March 1, 1999.  A proposed Testing Security policy was distributed for the Board's consideration.  In addition, Congress made amendments in 1997 to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) which have made invalid the Discipline Procedures of Bulletin 1706, Regulations for the Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act.  According to Dr. Cobb, that means policy JDF, Discipline of Students with Disabilities, must be deleted.  This policy has been replaced temporarily by four charts sent by the LA Department of Education entitled Interim Discipline Procedures which are to be used whenever disciplining a student with disabilities.  The delay in revising pertinent provisions of Bulletin 1706 by the LA Department of Education is because federal regulations have yet to be developed, in his opinion.  Once the federal regulations are put in place, the LA Department of Education can proceed to update Bulletin 1706.  Superintendent Cobb recommended the approval of the Testing Security policy (II) and the deletion of the Discipline of Students with Disabilities policy (JDF) with a vote to be taken at the next meeting.

In the Report from the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb:

                        1)         Congratulated President Wright on being appointed to the Louisiana Board of Supervisors, a well-deserved honor.

                        2)         Called attention to an article in the Sunday, January 31, 1999 edition of The Times comparing similar rural parishes, Natchitoches and Lincoln, and getting very different results.  He summarized, "Natchitoches spends more per pupil and has more personnel but we are doing a better job educating our children."  He expressed his pride.         

After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

_________________________________                      _______________________________

Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary                                                  David Wright, President