The Monroe City School Board met in a call meeting at the Monroe City School Board Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana. The meeting was called to order by the President. The prayer was offered by Reverend Rodney McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Members Present:

Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Mr. Anthony Cain
Mrs. Vickie Dayton
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie Smith

Superintendent and Administrative Team:

Dr. George D. Cannon
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Edith Lowe Douzart
Miss Maria Maggio
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Administrators, employees, parents, citizens, and the news media were in attendance.

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda with the deletion of agenda items 10B 3 & 4 (Extended Sick Leaves) and agenda items 12 & 13 (Executive Session and Collective Bargaining). The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of June 10 and 30 and July 29, 2003:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adopted the board minutes of June 10 and 30, and July 29, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President announced that Mr. Traweek is attending a funeral out of town and asked, if possible, for the removal of agenda items 12 and 13 from tonight's agenda so that he could be a part of the board when action is taken on collective bargaining. President Handy thanked the public for their support and asked for their continued support.

Action Item 7:

Audit Engagement Letter:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the engagement letter from Luffey, Huffman, and Monroe Auditing Firm, effective the fiscal years of 2003 and 2004. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for engagement letter).

Report Item 8:

Board ­ Superintendent Retreat:

The Board and Superintendent will meet in the final phase of their retreat on Monday, August 25th beginning at 4:P.M. This meeting will be held at the Media Center.

Report Item 9:

Schedule of Board Meetings for August and September:

The Board set the following meeting schedule for August and September, 2003:

Monday, August 4th,
Tuesday, August 19th
Tuesday, September 2nd
Tuesday, September 16th

The Board will finalize the remaining dates at its meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2003.

Action Items 10A through 11E:

Personnel Changes:
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved all personnel changes as recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Sabbatical Leave ­ Rest and Recuperation:

Mary Wilhite, Lexington School
Position: Special Education Teacher
Rest and Recuperation
Years of Service: 25
Effective: August 3 through May 4, 2004

Extended Sick Leaves:

Anne-Marie Martin, Berg Jones School
Position: Speech Therapist
Effective: October 7 through November 4, 2003 (A total of 20 days)

Wendy Buttitta, Clark Magnet School
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Effective: October 14 through January 9, 2004 (A total of 46.5 days)

Certified Resignations:

Nicole Rudolph, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Fifth Grade Teacher
Reason: Not given
Effective: May 30, 2003

Kimberly Vogt, Clara Hall School
Position: K-Three Reading Specialist
Reason: Not given
Effective: August 13, 2003

Roberto Bonitta, Clark School
Position: Art Teacher
Reason: Not given
Effective: June 30, 2003

Erin Riley Brown, Sallie Humble School
Position: First Grade Teacher
Reason: Not given
Effective: May 30, 2003

Felton L. McGhee, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Mathematics
Reason: Not given
Effective: May 30, 2003

Delton Dearman, Lee Junior High School
Position: Social Studies
Reason: Not given
Effective: May 29, 2003

Nicola Vrabel, Lee Junior High School
Position: Special Education Gifted
Reason: Not given
Effective: July 14, 2003

Fritz Winke, Carroll High School
Position: Spanish Teacher
Reason: Not given
Effective: June 26, 2003

John Brandin, Wossman High School
Position: French Teacher
Reason: Not given
Effective: August 1, 2003

Classified Retirements:

Gloria Clark, Lincoln School
Position: Pre-K Tutor
Years of service: 32
Effective: May 30, 2003

Samuel McMillan, Maintenance Department
Position: Class A Foreman
Years of Retirement: 21
Effective: August 1, 2003

Classified Resignation:

Lillian Staten Kelly, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Reason: Not given
Effective: June 16, 2003

Classified Leaves Without Pay:

Patricia Garrett, Lexington School
Position: Comp. Lab. Manager
Effective: August 14, 2003 ­ May 28, 2004

Velma Standifer, Wossman High School
Position: Tutor
Effective: April 7 ­ May 30, 2003

Extended Sick Leave:

Barbara Clary, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Effective: September 17 ­ October 8, 2003 (A total of 15 days)

Upgrading of Positions:

Monica Robinson, Media Center
Position: Project Accountant/Coordinator
Replacing: Ramona Ashbrook
Effective: July 1, 2003

Belinda Davis, Media Center
Position: Project Accountant/Secretary
Replacing: Monica Robinson
Effective: July 28, 2003

Katherine Diane Harris, Special Service Department
Position: IEP Facilitator
Upgrade: From 10 months to 11 months
Effective: July 16, 2003

Shirley Jordan, Special Services Department
Position: IEP Facilitator
Upgrade: From 10 months to 11 months
Effective: July 16, 2003

O. C. Willis, Jr., Maintenance Department
From: Laborer
To: Maintenance A
Replacing: Ocie Hall
Effective: March 31, 2003

Steven Crittle, Maintenance Department
From: Laborer
To: Maintenance D
Effective: July 1, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 14:

Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

ÿ The Community Meeting for Carver Principal will be held on Thursday, August 7th at 6 PM - Carver School.

ÿ Interviews for Carver School Principals will be held Friday, August 8that 4:30 PM - Media Center.

ÿ Board members will give their names for the interviewing process toShirley Pine.

ÿ The Principalship for Wossman High School will be re-advertisedandboard members will be informed.

Other:

The Personnel Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 13th at 4:00 PM. This meeting will be held in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the Central Office.

The Finance Committee Meeting's update was given by Mr. Cain that included the following:

ÿ Distribution of sales tax checks.
ÿ Proposal I: Continue current method of distribution.
ÿ Proposal 2: Add all supplemental checks to monthly salary.
ÿ Proposal 3 : Pay out a flat amount in November and clean out all funds in June.
A survey will be sent to each employee to vote on the proposal they prefer. The results of the survey will be given to the Board for action.

Adoption of the Budget:

ÿ A copy of the Budget will be sent to board members on Friday, August 8, 2003
.
ÿ The Budget Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 12th at 4:00 PM. This meeting will be held in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the Central Office.

ÿ The Budget will be presented to the public on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.

ÿ The news media will be notified of the public hearing.

ÿ The Board will adopt the Budget at its meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2003.

Action Item 15:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adjourned at 6:20 P.M. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie Handy, President

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent