1. **State the problem:** Solve for $s$ in the equation $$\frac{-11s - 4}{8} = 5.$$\n\n2. **Use the formula:** To solve for $s$, first eliminate the denominator by multiplying both sides by 8.\n\n3. Multiply both sides by 8:\n$$8 \times \frac{-11s - 4}{8} = 8 \times 5$$\n$$\cancel{8} \times \frac{-11s - 4}{\cancel{8}} = 40$$\n$$-11s - 4 = 40$$\n\n4. **Isolate $s$:** Add 4 to both sides to move constants to the right.\n$$-11s - 4 + 4 = 40 + 4$$\n$$-11s = 44$$\n\n5. Divide both sides by $-11$ to solve for $s$:\n$$s = \frac{44}{-11}$$\n$$s = -4$$\n\n**Final answer:** $$s = -4.$$