LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, April 6, 1999 6:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 6, 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, 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.
No one was absent.
President Wright called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Anders. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and expressed his joy that Wayne Barfield was feeling well enough to attend the meeting. He also welcomed special guests, members of the official staff, and of the press.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as amended, with the deletion of #11.4: Appeal of student recommended for expulsion. The student's mother indicated prior to the meeting that she would like to withdraw the appeal.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Shadoin, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Sessions held on March 2 and March 17, 1999 as corrected.
The RadioShack/Tandy Scholars program was created ten years ago in order to inspire innovation, quality and competitiveness in mathematics, science and computer science. Principal of Choudrant High School, Ronald Crawford, recognized Ms. Cathi Cox to the Board as one of this year's 100 Tandy Scholars. Besides the recognition and accolades, she will receive a $2,500 award and a Certificate of Recognition from RadioShack. Mr. Crawford presented a proclamation from Governor Mike Foster to Ms. Cox for being selected as a Tandy Scholar. She spoke briefly and said that this recognition is nothing she could have accomplished by herself but a culmination of work her parents began in the home. Her educators taught her to use the tools she learned at home and Lincoln Parish allowed her to use them. She said it is, therefore, as much recognition to the parish as it is her. Mr. Wright congratulated her on behalf of the Board.
Director of the Ruston/Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Andy Halbrook, issued a verbal invitation to the Board for an Elected Officials' Reception to be held on Monday, April 12, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ruston Civic Center. This is the first reception of its kind and has been planned in order to express appreciation for the commitment of time and resources by elected officials from all parts of the state.
The next item of business was to consider a Memorandum of Understanding and Resolution submitted by Ruston Parks and Recreation Director, Jay Ellington. In his absence, the Board reviewed the written materials and had questions about RPAR's insurance covering liability for accidents and whether principal permission should be secured before RPAR sports teams/leagues utilize indoor school facilities. At Superintendent Gerald Cobb's suggestion, upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to table the matter.
Administrative Supervisor of Title I, Willie Washington, told the Board that the LEA Consolidated Application for Federal Programs is designed to improve teaching and learning by encouraging greater cross-program coordination, planning and service delivery under the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA), and to enhance integration of programs under IASA, Goals 2000, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, and with other educational activities carried out with state and local funds. He presented his annual request for permission to submit an application for the grant.
Upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to submit an application for grant--"LEA Consolidated Application for Federal Programs," Improving America's Schools Act of 1994.
Since Randy Moore was named Interim Secondary Supervisor last June, Dr. Cobb proposed to open the application process for the position on Wednesday, April 7, 1999. The application period would close at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 1999. Advertisements for the position would be sent to school systems and newspapers across North Louisiana seeking applicants. Interviews would be scheduled for April 26 and possibly April 27 with a recommendation to fill the position to be presented to the Board at its May 4, 1999 meeting. He asked for the Board's permission to advertise and interview for the secondary supervisor position as outlined above.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise April 7 through April 20, 1999 and interview April 26 & 27, 1999 for the secondary supervisor position.
The Hopewell School in Dubach has not been used as a school since the early 1970's, Dr. Cobb narrated. The gymnasium is presently leased to the Town of Dubach. The remaining facilities, a cafeteria and two classroom wings, are unoccupied and so seriously dilapidated that repair is not cost effective. They are of no further use to the school board; therefore, he requested permission to advertise for bids to demolish them.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids to demolish the cafeteria and classroom wings of the Hopewell School.
Juanita Duke, Business Manager, informed members that for the first time in years, Lincoln Parish has two newspapers that meet the qualifications to be named the Board's official journal. To be eligible a newspaper must have maintained a general paid circulation in the district for five consecutive years or have been in existence on May 11, 1970. She proposed that the Board utilize the bid process, giving both newspapers an equal opportunity to compete and also to lower the cost of advertisement to the Board.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Tuten, the Board unanimously voted to grant permission to advertise for bids for the official journal for fiscal year 1999-2000.
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.-3. and Director of Auxiliary Services Charles Owens, presented 4.-5.:
1. Resignation effective March 18, 1999 of Tami Alexander, teacher at Ruston Junior High School.
2. Retirement of the following effective June 2, 1999 unless otherwise noted:
Frances P. Burford, teacher at Cypress Springs Elementary.
Effective June 30, 1999, Howard Brown, principal at Dubach High.
Gail Reeder, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary.
Helen Bissic, teacher at Ruston Elementary.
Effective January, 2000, Martha Callendar, teacher at Ruston Elementary.
3. Requests for professional development sabbaticals from the following:
Kelly Caldwell, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective January, 2000 and for the second semester of 99-00.
Deborah Davis, itinerant speech therapist, effective August, 1999 and for the 99-00 school year.
Mr. Suggs said these meet both state and local guidelines for sabbatical leave requests.
4. Resignation of Hillcrest Elementary custodian, David Smith, effective February 9, 1999.
5. Employment of George Bolton, effective April 1, 1999 as custodian at Hillcrest Elementary replacing David Smith who resigned.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel items.
Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, reported that 1967 and 1979 sales tax collections for the month of March, 1999 were $275,024 which is up $16,196 over the same month last year. Collections in the 1993 sales tax fund also showed an increase of $9,717 compared to last year, with $165,014 being collected. This is a 6.26% increase compared to the same month last year. A large recovery from audits, $14,439, was also received this month. Year-to-date collections in this fund are up about 11.78%.
Ms. Duke called the Board's attention to the shaded row on the February, 1999 financial statement. Fund balances are pretty good, in her opinion, other than the general fund which she suspects will be reduced by a deficit mainly because of insurance claims and not receiving reimbursements from the insurance carrier until after the end of the fiscal year. February's reimbursement from the state has also not been received to be debited to the child nutrition fund.
The Board was reminded by Ms. Duke that permission was given at the January 5, 1999 meeting to advertise and accept proposals for the purchase of new phone systems for the Central Office, Ruston High, Ruston Junior High, and Simsboro High Schools. After evaluation by representatives from each site and Ms. Duke, the Turner Teleco system was selected from the four submitted proposals. She said purchase orders are currently being issued for installation and payment to occur during the 99-00 fiscal year.
Ms. Duke briefly discussed vendor proposals, e-rate percentages/discounts, and total cost from local monies and from Title I monies. Cost for the Central Office's phone system: $36,242.00; Ruston High: $60,839.40; Ruston Junior High: $34,342.00; and Simsboro High: $37,230.00. Total cost for all four of the phone systems with Turner Teleco is $168,653.50, minus the e-rate discount of $95,943.73, for a total local cost of $69,081.01. Since Title I is to have new phones installed as part of the Central Office system, they will contribute $3,628.76 toward the purchase. The total cost includes equipment, wiring, installation, and voice mail. She reiterated that initial estimated local cost was projected to be $60,000 to $75,000. No board action was required but board members did make brief comments and had a few questions for Ms. Duke.
Three companies submitted bids for three new school buses and two used school buses, Interim Transportation Supervisor James Payton explained. He recommended that the bid from Ross Bus Sales be accepted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Dowling, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to accept Ross Bus Sales' $48,592.00 bid for each of the three 2000 Bluebird School Buses and $35,200.00 for each of the two 1995 International-Thomas buses. These five 72-passenger buses increase the total of board owned buses to 68. It was suggested that the administration look into the possibility of getting a shop in order to do most of the maintenance and repair work on the buses.
Charles Owens recommended that the $21,350 and $20,440 bids received from the advertisement to purchase a food service maintenance vehicle be rejected. He requested permission to purchase the vehicle from the state contract list instead.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to reject the bids received to purchase a food service maintenance vehicle and to purchase the vehicle from the state contract list for $16,062.00 from Crescent City Dodge in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Owens also presented bids received for the site or modular construction of four classrooms at the Secondary Alternative School. He recommended that the Board accept the bid from Murphy Construction Company for one building with two labs and the low bid from E. J. Murphy Roofing for one building with two classrooms.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Mack, the Board unanimously voted to accept the bid from Murphy Construction Company for one building with two labs for $43,125 and the low bid from E. J. Murphy Roofing for one building with two classrooms for $38,450.
According to Mr. Owens, the contract for the construction of the T & I addition at Ruston High School was to be substantially completed within 120 days. The project was not substantially completed by the completion date, December 29, nor was the facility able to be occupied on March 22. The contract provides for the assessment of $100 per day in damages for every day past the completion date. There were some adverse weather conditions and also loss of electricity during the time period. Instead of assessing the damages for the entire 86 days, Dr. Cobb requested that the Board allow the administration to get together with an attorney and find a reasonable, realistic number of days to figure damages.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Barfield, the Board unanimously voted to allow the administration and an attorney to negotiate with the contractor to find a number of days for which to assess damages resulting from the construction of the T & I addition at Ruston High School.
The Superintendent's Advisory Council met on March 16 for the purpose of reviewing the calendar options for the 99-00 school calendar, Dr. Cobb communicated. There were only two choices because of state mandated tests and dates they must be given, which doesn't allow much leeway for spring break options. Council members were instructed to take the information to their schools, give employees an opportunity to vote for the calendar option of their choice, and call the results in to the office. Central office personnel were also given an opportunity to vote. Dr. Cobb recommended the proposed option 1 calendar as the choice of 80% of school employees.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the proposed 99-00 school calendar as follows:
Lincoln Parish School Calendar
1990-2000
Teacher Workday August 18, 1999
Labor Day Holiday September 6, 1999
Thanksgiving Holiday November 22-26, 1999
Christmas/New Year Holidays December 20-31, 1999
End of First Semester January 13, 2000
Parishwide Inservice January 14, 2000
Martin Luther King/Great Americans' Day January 17, 2000
Spring Break March 27-31, 2000
Easter Holiday April 21 & 24, 2000
Last Day of School May 31, 2000
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Superintendent Cobb said that it is imperative that the Governor and the Legislature keep their commitment to fully fund the Minimum Foundation Program which has never been fully funded since it establishment in 1991. He feels that with the mandates caused by the new accountability program and summer school required programs, unrestricted full implementation of the MFP is critical.
At his request, upon a motion by Mr. Shadoin, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Lincoln Parish School Board urges and requests the Louisiana Legislature and the Governor to fully fund the minimum foundation program for 1999-2000, and to ensure that these new monies be unrestricted so that the school system can meet the requirements of Accountability and the specific needs of the school system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Lincoln Parish School Board urges and requests that the Governor and Louisiana Legislature continue to support and fund the K-3 Reading and Mathematics, Accountability, and Technology Initiatives as provided in the Executive Budget.
For the first time in his ten year term as Superintendent, Dr. Cobb related that it has become necessary to employ outside legal assistance to deal with the very specialized area of special education litigation. Due to problems associated with the placement of a child, a parent has requested a due process hearing. A due process hearing requires a quasi-courtroom process with a certified hearing officer, court reporter, witnesses, testimony, and specialized legal expertise. He asked the Board to approve a Resolution to employ outside legal counsel.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve a Resolution to employ the firm of Hammonds and Sills as special counsel for the special education due process hearing and any related litigation as necessitated by the parent.
Mr. Owens said that schools could not continue to exist without the hard work of the support staff. This staff includes secretaries, bus drivers, bus aides, cafeteria workers, custodial and maintenance staff, and teacher aides. Their jobs being a vital part of the overall education of each child in Lincoln Parish, he recommended that the Board adopt a resolution declaring a Support Personnel Week.
Upon a motion by Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
That the Lincoln Parish School Board designates the week of April 19-23, 1999 as Support Personnel Week in Lincoln Parish and copies of this Resolution be sent to all of the schools in the parish, and made a part of the official minutes of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb mentioned:
Government Exemption forms, which will allow the Board to be exempt from local sales taxes, to be completed by those who attended the recent LSBA convention and turned in to Becky Gemelli.
After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President