By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — The Lincoln Parish School Board held its February meeting at Hillcrest Elementary School Tuesday and covered various topics including the recent audit results and updates in special education programs.
Following the prayer and pledge, Hillcrest Principal Becky Sutherland welcomed the board members and attendees.
Amy Tynes of the Monroe CPA firm of Allen, Green & Williamson then presented the most recent fiscal audit results, and for another consecutive year, the report issued was unmodified, which is the highest opinion the parish can receive.
“Last year, we had some food service findings to where we had maybe not gotten the right bids, but through corrective action and working with state auditors, all of that came back good,” Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “We had a great audit with no findings. (Tynes) and her crew do an excellent job.”
Tynes reviewed the high points of both reports.
“I want to thank the staff at the parish for working with us,” Tynes said. “We sort of turn everybody’s world upside-down when we come, and we don’t just bother the accounting department. We appreciate everyone’s hospitality. You guys have a great team here.”
Later in the meeting, both Special Education Director Phaedra Blake and Student Services Director Justin Barron discussed updates about special education programs in the district. Blake detailed how she was selected to participate in the SPED Fellows Academy sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education — a yearlong comprehensive program with only 22 leaders from the state selected to participate.
“Our SPED department is in great hands,” Durrett said of Blake and Barron. “We’re going to see some great future results due to the leadership and (Mrs. Blake) and her forward thinking with being inclusive with our special needs kids in their classes and trying to find ways to provide them extra opportunities, extra time for learning while not taking away the core instruction that they need.”
Barron also emphasized the importance of inclusion in the success of SPED students within the parish, highlighting the efforts of the Bearcat Buddies Program as a visible means to that success.
Ruston High senior Marijah Heard talked specifically about how the Bearcat Buddies changed her when she volunteered to be part of it.
“I used to be one of those students that didn’t (SPED) students as normal,” Heard said. “I used to pick on them. But now, being a Bearcat Buddy, I have a couple of buddies running around calling me their “sister.” It really made me grow and see them for who they are.”
Blake also gave a report on the LPSB diversity committee, noting that the first official meeting was on November 21 of last year.
“We want to make sure that we’re communicating the opportunities we have in Lincoln Parish for all students of all ethnicities,” Durrett said of the purpose behind the diversity committee. “This is another avenue for the community to be involved and give us feedback on what we’re doing or not doing.”
The board members also voted unanimously to allow the parish to put out bids for HVAC units at both Simsboro School and Ruston Elementary. Simsboro will need to replace 28 units, while RES will need to replace 18.
Prior to the meeting, community member and school board officials were given a tour to see how the UFLI curriculum is being implemented in the elementary schools.
As previously reported, the board members also voted for in favor of Choudrant Elementary School to begin wearing school uniforms in the 2025-26 school year. The board also released the 2025-26 school calendar.
George Mack, Jr., and Hunter Smith were both absent.
The school board will meet again Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. in the LPSB boardroom.
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