LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Ruston, Louisiana
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, October 20, 1999 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 20, 1999 at 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center. Members present were Mr. David Wright, Mr. Billy Abrahm, Mr. Otha Anders, Ms. Priscilla Barfield, Dr. Marty Beasley, Mr. Curtis Dowling, Ms. Mattie Harrison, Mr. Jim Kessler, Mr. George Mack, and Mr. Joe Mitcham.
Members absent were Mr. Rob Shadoin and Mr. Allen Tuten.
Prior to the business meeting, board members enjoyed a delicious lunch in the school cafeteria.
President Wright called the meeting to order and Mr. Abrahm gave the invocation. Mr. Wright led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and welcomed the staff, guests, and members of the media.
Upon a motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Dr. Beasley, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.
In the absence of the principal, Social Services Facilitator/Administrative Assistant, Rickey Burton, welcomed everyone to Lincoln Center. He briefly described the different programs in place and said the school's motto is Working Together. Board members were given a directory of Lincoln Center and invited to visit the classrooms at the completion of the Regular Session or at a future time.
The Board served as a Committee of the Whole and the following Personnel Committee agenda items were discussed after Charles Owens, Director of Auxiliary Services, presented them:
1. Resignation, effective October 15, 1999 of Jeanne Burns, secretary at Hico Elementary.
2. Resignation of the following custodians:
Betty Jenkins, Lincoln Center, effective September 29, 1999.
Lela McClelland, Ruston High, effective June 1, 1999.
3. Employment of Mary Jenkins as custodian at Ruston High, effective November 1, 1999 replacing Lela McClelland who resigned.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mack, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendations/requests.
In the absence of the employee, President Wright recommended going into executive session to discuss the final personnel item.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session at 12:38 p.m.
Upon a motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Dowling, the Board unanimously voted to return to Regular Session at 12:50 p.m.
Upon a motion by Ms. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Abrahm, the Board unanimously voted to uphold the recommendation of the administration to terminate a bus driver effective October 12, 1999 for failure to perform job duties.
Juanita Duke, Business Manager, called attention to the financial report with ending fund balances at the close of July, 1999. New salaries for the 99-00 school year have not begun to be paid. She quickly reviewed each fund balance.
According the Mr. Owens, the original contract amount for the addition to the T & I building at Ruston High School was $184,000. Because a driveway in the back of the structure was determined to be unnecessary, he presented a change order decreasing the contract amount by $5,000. Since Davis Construction Company went out of business prior to the completion of the additions, several items were left unfinished. Mr. Owens submitted a second change order which would decrease the contract amount by an additional $7,354 for: paint repairs, saw cut for expansion joints, liquidated damage assessment, toilet partitions, and completion of punch list. He requested Board approval of the change orders.
Upon a motion by Mr. Mitcham, seconded by Mr. Anders, the Board unanimously voted to approve Ruston High School T & I addition change order #1 for $5,000 and change order #2 for $7,354; thereby, causing the net contract amount to be $171,646.
Companies who have expressed an interest in providing claims administration and reinsurance services for the Board's employee benefit plan were recently given an opportunity to provide proposals, according to Ms. Duke. After reviewing proposals received from Benesys, Inc., our current administrator, Principle Financial, Health Plus (Willis Knighten), and Blue Cross & Blue Shield, it was determined that Benesys provides the most cost effective services for administering claims with a reduction in fixed costs from the previous year. Their claim service has proved satisfactory and an overwhelming number of complaints have not been received from employees. She did request that the annual plan renewal date be changed to January 1 in order to fall in line with the claims filing deadline and the prescription drug program renewal period. Although State insurance has risen annually by as much as 10 to 12%, the renewal from Benesys indicates no increase in premiums. It was mentioned, however, that a premium increase should be a proactive consideration for the future. The last health premium increase was in November, 1995 and health costs continue to rise. An additional recommendation from Benesys was the change in the reinsurance carrier from American United Life (AUL) to Lloyds of London (IMMS) mainly due to AUL's quote indicating an increase of approximately 24.5% in reinsurance rates and $967,000 in the aggregate limit. Ms. Duke said that IMMS is an A rated company. Benesys' renewal options included a 26 month contract which locks in the fixed costs and the reinsurance limit for aggregate claims for a period of 26 months. She closed with the notification that the life insurance renewal with Hartford, includes a 10% decrease in premiums for the basic $2,000 plus supplemental plan. This will be a decrease in cost for the Board which provides $2,000 at no cost to all employees and a decrease in premiums for all employees who elect an additional supplemental benefit under the plan. She asked for permission to renew the health insurance claims administration with Benesys, change the plan's annual renewal date, enact the 26 month reinsurance renewal with IMMS, and renew the life insurance plan with Hartford.
Upon a motion by Dr. Beasley, seconded by Ms. Harrison, the Board unanimously voted to renew the health insurance claims administration services with Benesys, Inc. for 26 months, change the plan renewal date to January 1st beginning with the year 2001, approve the 26 month reinsurance renewal with IMMS, and approve the proposed life insurance renewal with Hartford.
In a Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Gerald Cobb reminded those present that the initial Sales Tax/Millage Review Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. at the Title I Media Center.
After brief comments, the meeting was adjourned at 1:11 p.m.
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Gerald W. Cobb, Secretary David Wright, President