By Kyle Roberts
The Lincoln Parish School Board held its inaugural 2024 session at Glen View Elementary School Tuesday and honored the 2023 state champion Ruston High football team, elected new officers, and approved a cooperative endeavor with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
Glen View principal Phaedra Blake welcomed the board members and recognized them all for School Board Appreciation Month.
“Thank you guys for coming,” Blake said. “First, let me say Happy School Board Appreciation Month. Thank you for what you do for all the students, not just at Glen View, but for all the students in Lincoln Parish. We could not do what we do without your help and support. It shows that we all have the same goal that we want the best for students of the year for Lincoln Parish.”
The school board followed with a public recognition of the Ruston Bearcats, who were represented by multiple seniors players and head coach Jerrod Baugh.
“We appreciate what you all do to help us,” Baugh said to the board members. I think we all know that everybody in this room are working together to make things great for kids. At the end of the day, we may disagree on some things, but we all want to try to agree that we’re doing what’s best for kids.”
Lincoln Parish director of Homeland Security Kip Franklin addressed the the board members to discuss Linc Alert, a notification system designed to send emergency messages to residents via text, email or phone call.
Officer elections were held next, with Gregg Phillips of District 8 being nominated by Danny Hancock of District 5 for president and Dr. Danielle Williams of District 1 being nominated by David Ferguson of District 2. Both unanimously passed, and will be the first new officers of the school board in eight years after replacing both President Joe Mitcham and Vice President Lynda Henderson, who will both remain on the board.
The board then voted unanimously to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce as a renewal, which will allow the chamber to help support the Adopt-A-School program, oversee awards from local businesses for Teacher, Principal, and Student of the year, and assistance with placing students in various chamber programs, including S.A.I.L. (Students Actively Involved in Leadership).
The funding of these services are valued at a minimum of $4,000.
Lastly, Dr. Williams was given recognition for earning more than 20 training hours during the calendar year by the Louisiana School Board Association and was given her certificate before adjourning.
The school board will meet against on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 12 p.m. at Ruston Elementary.
