By Kyle Roberts
The Lincoln Parish School Board met Tuesday in the Simsboro School auditorium for its monthly meeting to discuss its annual audit report and to honor both Dubach School principal Tiffany Curry for being named a semi-finalist for Louisiana State Principal of the Year and the Bearcat Nation Network for winning first place in the Community Spirit in School Athletics contest put on by the Louisiana School Board Association.
Following the call to order, Simsboro School principal Lacey Holcombe welcomed the board members and crowd and thanked them for joining. Brandon Sutherland then gave the honors to Curry and Bearcat Nation Network.
“I think it’s great for both,” Lincoln Parish superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “For Tiffany, I think what she’s done by bringing the community together in support of Dubach School and the kids’ performance over the last couple of years — going from talk of closing the school to now being one of the top performing schools for us — her being recognized as a state finalist, I just think it’s a wonderful thing for Tiffany and for the Dubach community.
“And I think the Bearcat Nation has been something that started with a radio station has just kind of evolved.The job that these kids are doing, the experience they’re getting, the service they’re providing for our community and our former graduates of Ruston High School to be able to watch in other cities all across the state, all across the country and in other countries. To be able to watch Ruston Athletics is a great thing.
Durrett added that he is pleased with how the network is giving the students real world experience.
“It’s something they can take and use, whether they want to go into that profession or do that as a part-time job while they’re going to college or something else,” Durrett said. “I think it’s just one of the many things Ruston High provides and Lincoln Parish has for our students to give them options and opening their eyes to seeing what’s all out there for them.”
The finance committee then presented the 2024 mid-year health plan changes and a proposal for a cooperative endeavor with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. The school board unanimously approved both.
Amy Tynes of the Monroe CPA firm of Allen, Green & Williamson followed with her presentation of the audit report findings.
“It’s an unmodified report, which is the best opinion that we can receive,” Lincoln Parish School Board chief financial officer Juanita Duke said. “The statements that were issued are reliable, and it shows we have an operating surplus.”
Absent were Otha Anders (District 10) and Lynda Henderson (District 9).
