LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, August 9, 1999 6:00 p.m.
Because the officers were unable to attend the Regular Session scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, 1999, the Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Monday, August 9, 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 (arrived after the meeting began and left prior to the end), Ms. Priscilla Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley (arrived after the meeting began), Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Mr. Rob Shadoin and Mr. Allen Tuten were absent.
President David Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Mack gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed special guests, members of the media, and members of the official staff.
Mr. Anders and Dr. Beasley entered the meeting during Mr. Wright's welcome.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda with the addition of an item of New Business, Resolution on 1998-1999 teachers and other recognition and appreciation of efforts and results and plans for "Advisory Council on Continued Academic Success," and an addendum to the Personnel Committee agenda.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on July 6, 1999 as distributed.
Mr. Wright announced that this was the time specified for a public hearing regarding tax millages for 1999. Hearing no comments or questions, he returned to the agenda.
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.-11. and Director of Auxiliary Service Charles Owens presented 12. and 13.:
1. Mr. Suggs gave a brief report on professional personnel staff hiring for 99-00. 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 and the Choudrant Elementary and Simsboro principals from 93 through 99 were presented along with numbers of personnel recommendations made to the Board in each of those years. He also supplied Job Fair statistics from the three area universities for the past several years and the numbers of schools districts represented at the fairs. Mr. Suggs mentioned the continual decrease in the overall number of applicants and the increase in the number of vacancies. Seventy-four applicants were interviewed in 1999 to fill sixty slots. Thirty-one vacancies were filled in 1993 from one hundred and thirty-eight applicants. He feels that Lincoln Parish continues to attract quality personnel even with the smaller applicant pool.
2. Resignation of the following:
Jason Harvey, social studies at Choudrant High, effective July 15, 1999.
Jane Thorson, effective July 20, 1999, special ed. aide at Cypress Springs.
Alberta Foster, business at Dubach High, effective July 26, 1999.
Jonathan Zeno, effective July 28, 1999, social studies at Dubach High.
Sue Barfield, teacher at Hico Elementary, effective June 23, 1999.
Ophelia Smith, effective July 9, 1999, Title I tutor at Hico Elementary.
Linda Colvin, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, effective July 13, 1999.
Tammy Caldwell, effective July 9, 1999, teacher at I. A. Lewis.
Sydney Holstead, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective August 1, 1999.
Debra Jordan, effective July 9, 1999, teacher at Ruston Elementary.
Patricia Plummer, teacher at Ruston Elementary, effective July 27, 1999.
Mamie Hammock, effective July 1, 1999, P. E. teacher at Ruston High.
Will Magee, art teacher at Ruston High, effective July 19, 1999.
Christi Marino, effective July 20, 1999, vocational agriculture teacher at Ruston High.
Stacey Miller, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High, effective July 13, 1999.
Derrick Spurlock, effective July 18, 1999, social studies teacher/coach at Ruston High.
Lisa Taylor, math teacher at Ruston High, effective July 22, 1999.
Angie Sears, effective July 15, 1999, teacher at Ruston Junior High.
Robert Bratton, social studies teacher/coach at Simsboro, effective July 8, 1999.
Theodis Johnson, effective July 1, 1999, administrative assistant/coach at Simsboro.
Leigh Ann Moore, teacher at Simsboro, effective July 22, 1999.
3. Retirement of the following effective July 15, 1999:
Vickie Colvin, 1/2 time music at Choudrant Elementary.
Sandra Bice, social studies teacher at Ruston Junior High School.
4. Leave without pay request for the first semester of 99-00, effective July 20, 1999, for Sherita Lewis, science teacher at Ruston High School.
5. Points of Reference (Transfers) all effective August 18, 1999:
Terri Winbourne from Simsboro to an elementary position at Choudrant Elementary replacing Lucy Spillers who retired.
Becky Martin from Glen View to social studies at Choudrant High replacing Jason Harvey who resigned.
Susan Feduccia from Choudrant Elementary to librarian at Glen View replacing Jan Canterbury who transferred.
Sheila Barber from Dubach High to special education at Hillcrest replacing Debbie Pruitt who resigned.
Felicia Dunbar from Secondary Alternative School to math at Ruston High replacing Lisa Taylor who resigned.
Cindy Huckaby from A. E. Phillips to special education at Simsboro replacing Terri Winbourne who transferred.
6. Employment of the following persons effective August 18, 1999 unless otherwise noted:
Jodi Jones, in a new teaching position at Choudrant Elementary.
Stacey Martin, teacher at Choudrant Elementary, replacing Susan Feduccia who transferred.
Mickey Hollis, in a new math position at Choudrant High.
Donna Baldwin, social studies at Dubach High, replacing Jonathan Zeno who resigned.
Ray Butler, social studies/coach at Dubach High, replacing Scott O'Rear who resigned.
Sandra Maddry, English/P.E. at Dubach High, replacing Lora Hammons who transferred.
Harryette Tinsley, business at Dubach High, replacing Alberta Foster who resigned.
Tara Turner, special education at Dubach High, replacing Shelia Barber who transferred.
Marcy Houston, in a new K-3 ratio slot at Hillcrest.
Doris Noland, teacher at I. A. Lewis, replacing Tammy Caldwell who resigned.
Arabrian Lewis, teacher at Lincoln Center replacing Nicole Howard who resigned.
Mandy Bowden, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Debra Jordan who resigned.
Christy Brown, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Barbara Boyd who transferred.
Melissa Patrick, teacher at Ruston Elementary, replacing Patricia Plummer who resigned.
Delena Ashworth, art teacher at Ruston High, replacing Will Magee who resigned.
Richard Goulart, social studies/coach at Ruston High, replacing Mamie Hammock who resigned.
Eldred Hardison, social studies/coach at Ruston High, replacing Derrick Spurlock who resigned.
Shelley Henry, social studies/coach at Ruston High, replacing Stacey Miller who resigned.
Millie Hooper in a new choir/G.T. position at Ruston High.
Tami Odell in a half time fine arts slot at Ruston High, replacing Paula Pardue who transferred.
Veronica Ellis, special education teacher at Ruston Junior High, replacing Dorothy Carter who retired.
Loretta Clark in a new junior high slot at Secondary Alternative School.
David Jones, in a new vocational agriculture position at Secondary Alternative School, effective August 1, 1999.
Kay May, science at Secondary Alternative School, replacing Diane Madden who transferred.
Edward Smith, junior high at Secondary Alternative School, replacing Ben Green who resigned.
Jane Atchison, French at Simsboro, replacing Jennifer Green who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Kevin Bethea, in a new math position at Simsboro.
Shawn Burns, teacher at Simsboro, replacing Leigh Ann Moore who resigned.
Mike Canterbury, social studies/coach at Simsboro replacing Robert Bratton who resigned.
Effective August 4, 1999, Tim Nutt as administrative assistant at Simsboro, replacing Theodis Johnson who resigned.
Linda Leggett, itinerant gifted/talented replacing Virginia Suggs who transferred.
Kim Gresham in a new itinerant speech therapist position.
Tracey Morgan, itinerant speech therapist replacing Deborah Davis who was granted a sabbatical leave.
Kerri Whitson, itinerant speech therapist replacing Beth Harkleroad who resigned.
7. Sabbatical leave extension for the fall semester of 99-00, effective August 18, 1999 for Glen View special education teacher, Cheryl Garner.
8. Leave without pay request for the 99-00 school year from Rebecca Sain, special education teacher at Glen View, effective August 18, 1999.
9. Resignation of Sabrina Deason, special education teacher at Hico Elementary, effective August 3, 1999.
10. Points of Reference (Transfers) all effective August 18, 1999:
Sandra Jennings from I. A. Lewis to Hico Elementary as an aide, replacing Ophelia Smith who resigned..
Gwen Flannagan from Glen View to an aide position at I. A. Lewis, replacing Sandra Jennings who transferred to Hico.
Sharon St. Andre from 1/2 time remediation to vocational agriculture teacher at Ruston High, replacing Christie Marino who resigned.
Carolyn Smith from Glen View to a new computer proctor slot at Secondary Alternative.
11. Effective August 18, 1999, employment of:
Tammy Berry as an aide at Cypress Springs replacing Jane Thorson who resigned.
Kathy Davis, 1/2 time French at Dubach High, replacing Jenny Franks who transferred.
Marjorie Lester in a new special education position at I. A. Lewis.
Jana Lee as a teacher at Ruston Elementary replacing Susie Holstead who resigned.
Angie Brewer as a social studies teacher at Ruston Junior High replacing Sandra Bice who retired.
Leonard Booker in a new junior high slot at Secondary Alternative School.
Sonia LeGay in a new itinerant foreign language instructor position.
12. Retirement, effective July 30, 1999 of Maintenance Supervisor, Bobby McCullin.
13. Resignation of Johnnie Wilson, Ruston High custodian, effective June 29, 1999.
After several questions, upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel recommendations.
Ms. Juanita Duke, Business Manager, reported that sales tax collections for the month ending July 31, 1999 took a dive, which she expects to be the trend for the remainder of the year as no major construction projects are ongoing in the parish. The decrease was 12% over the same month last year. Collections in the '67 and '79 funds were $343,128 and $205,876 was the '93 sales tax total. Audit recoveries for the first month of the 99 fiscal year were $8,726 which she reiterated is extra money that is neither anticipated nor budgeted.
Mr. Wright presented background information and asked Transportation Supervisor, Howard Whitlock, to share the results of the meeting he had with the Bus Drivers' Association committee trying to facilitate better understanding and communication between the two as a result of their request for a pay increase which was postponed from the previous meeting of the Board. In a meeting with Epsey Samuel, Association President, Charlie Jones, Vice-President, and Jean Hendrix, President of the NE District Bus Drivers' Association, on July 29, 1999, Mr. Whitlock provided in depth responses to four items brought out by them at the July board meeting: no increase in base pay in the last eight years; all increases in pay have been to operational expenses; oil changes, telephone calls day and night, paperwork, etc.; and pre-trip inspections, fueling, and forty hours of inservice every two years. Basically, he said, the bus drivers were given 3% raises from local monies in 89-90 and 90-91, a $500 increase in 91-92 from the state, $100 additional monies in 92-93 from the state, and finally $350 from the state in 97-98. Other various tasks required of the drivers are very limited, are usually required by the state, take a minimal amount of time, and are not done by most drivers in a timely manner. He included a survey of 11 surrounding parishes' bus driver pay and benefits and also a break down of Lincoln Parish employee compensation to which he had added a beginning teacher and a teacher with a +30. He pointed out that driving a bus is a part time job with about 80% of the Lincoln Parish bus drivers having other jobs. In his opinion, the parishes' bus drivers are well compensated for the job that they perform. With benefits added to their actual salary, they make more money than any other parish surveyed. After allowing Ms. Bowden and Mr. Jones to share their thoughts and ask questions, he told them the same information they had discussed would be shared with the Board at their next meeting.
Mr. Wright asked Ms. Bowden and Mr. Jones to present the point of view of the Bus Drivers' Association and they were aided by several of the bus drivers who were in attendance. They said the above information was shared with them but the drivers still felt very deserving of a local raise. Although the general fund will end the fiscal year in a deficit mode, it is their opinion that monies could be redistributed and their 12.69% raises could be funded. They also continue to feel that it is unfair for a beginning bus driver to receive the exact same pay as a driver with 10, 15, or 20 years of experience. They repeated their plea for an increase in pay.
When asked for his opinion, Superintendent Cobb said it all boils down to a matter of money, or the lack thereof, and if one segment of employees was given a pay raise, others have informed him they will also come forward with their request for an increase.
After several minutes of questions and comments, it became clear that it was the consensus of opinion that the bus drivers were deserving of an increase in pay but additional monies would need to be found to fund pay raises. It was also agreed that pay raises would need to be funded for all employees and not just this one group of support personnel. Mr. Wright suggested that the Board consider the administration's recommendation to deny the Bus Drivers Association's request for a 12.69% pay increase and asked for their decision.
Mr. Mack asked if the matter could be postponed or delayed instead of denied and in fact decided to make that a motion.
Mr. Anders amended Mr. Mack's motion to take the request under advisement pending further immediate study and to include raises for all personnel in the request. Dr. Beasley seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous vote of those present.
Prior to the bus drivers' exodus from the meeting, President Wright reminded them that people do not like the word tax and 70% of the local residents don't have children in the school system. He said no raise was actually being promised but their best attempt would be made to get the people to support a tax or millage in order to give all employees a raise. He urged drivers to remember that, "We are all in this business of educating the children together."
Mr. Anders left the meeting.
Superintendent Cobb indicated that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has adopted a new standard dealing with locally initiated elective classes. It also requires Boards to submit to the State Department of Education a policy for approving local electives. In the past, local electives had to be submitted to the Department of Education and BESE for approval. Now this process can be handled locally by the central office staff. Under the revised Curriculum policy he is recommending, a committee composed of the Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Supervisor, and Elementary Supervisor would review, revise, approve, and/or reject elective proposals. This policy was combined with the parish's existing Curriculum policy and recommended by the Forethought Consulting Company. Dr. Cobb presented the policy for the Board's consideration until the next meeting.
Ms. Duke said each year ad valorem taxes must be levied. To be levied are maintenance and operation taxes as well as the millage to pay interest and principal on outstanding bonds in the Debt Service Funds. Maintenance and operation taxes are levied based on the millage passed by the voters. The bonded indebtedness taxes are levied based on the amount required to pay principal and interest on the bonds that come due in the following year in each school district. No changes are being proposed in the prior year's assessed millages. She did mention that the next reassessment is scheduled for next year for the year 2000 and she does anticipate a change in millages at that time.
Upon a motion by Mr. Abrahm, seconded by Mr. Kessler, the Board unanimously voted by roll call to adopt the resolution levying millages on the 1999 assessment roll for Lincoln Parish as follows:
I. Parishwide
A. 4.99 Mills Constitutional Tax
B. 5.14 Mills Special Repair & Equipment Tax
C. 5.14 Mills Special Maintenance & Operation Tax
D. 12.09 Mills Parishwide Maintenance & Operation Tax
II. District Taxes - For Bond and Interest Fund
A. 17.00 Mills Ruston School District #1
B. 18.20 Mills Simsboro School District #3
C. -0- Mills Dubach School District #5
D. 28.00 Mills Choudrant School District #6
III. District Taxes - Maintenance and Operation
A. 3.01 Mills Ruston School District #1
B. 3.19 Mills Simsboro School District #3
C. 3.33 Mills Dubach School District #5
Voting by roll call for the above motion were: Billy Abrahm, Priscilla Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Curtis Dowling, Mattie Harrison, Jim Kessler, George Mack, Joe Mitcham, and David Wright.
Voting against the motion: None
Absent and not voting: Otha Anders, Rob Shadoin, and Allen Tuten.
The only remaining item of New Business was a tentative Resolution prepared by Dr. Beasley concerning recognition and appreciation of teachers and others and also a plan for the formation of an Advisory Council on Continued Academic Success. Since copies of the Resolution were not mailed to Board members prior to the meeting but were given to them after they arrived at the meeting, she suggested that the Resolution should be taken under advisement with a decision to be made at the next meeting. By acclamation the Board decided to follow her suggestion.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Cobb related that Board members' portfolios contained:
1) A nepotism form which should be completed by the appropriate Board members for filing with the Board of Ethics within thirty days after the beginning of the 99-00 school year.
2) Opening of School Information from the Superintendent which is shared with all employees on the first day of school.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President