The Monroe City School Board met in a call meeting at the Monroe City School Board Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana 71202. 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 M.. Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. Mickey Traweek
Superintendent and Administrative Team:
Dr. George D. Cannon
Mr. Julian Gray
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Miss Maria Maggio
Mrs. Teresa Foremen
Attorney L. Doug 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 as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5:
Adoption of the Minutes of June 10 and 30, 2003:
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board tabled action on the adoption of the minutes of June 10 & 30, 2003 until the next meeting of the Board.
Report Item 6:
The President's Report and Announcements:
President Handy thanked the parents, administrators, faculty members, and citizens for their support.
Action Item 7:
Permission to Advertise for Bids:
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for bids for mobile science labs and furniture. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 8:
Awarding of Bids:
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the following bids:
Bread and Bread Products bid
to Flowers in the amount of $46,303.56 as
Indicated on the tabulation sheet.
Milk and Orange Juice to Bordens
in the amount of $501,774.00 as
Indicated on the tabulation sheet.
Janitorial Equipment bid as indicated on the tabulation sheet.
Air Conditioning System for Special
Education School Buses bid to Ross
Bus and Equipment in the amount of $21,600.00 as indicated on
the
Tabulation sheet
Dumpster Service bid to Waste
Management in the amount of $54,633.54
As indicated on the tabulation sheet.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheets)..
Action Item 9:
Appointment of Administrative
Position:
Dr. Cannon briefed the public on the procedure that was used in
the selection process of all administrative positions. He made
the following recommendations, which includes two- year contracts,
effective July 30, 2003 and ending June 30, 2005:
Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Cook, principal
of Cypress Point University School
Mrs. Deborah D. Martin, principal of Jefferson Upper Elementary
School
` Mr. Donald R. Green, principal of Carroll High School
He also requested permission to re-advertise for the position
of Wossman High School. Mr. James Benton will remain as principal
of Wossman High School and Mrs. Tamara McCarter as assistant principal
at Wossman High School.
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, that the Board approved the recommendations as presented by Dr. Cannon.
Mrs. Shelling offered the following amendment: That the Board vote on these recommendations one at a time. Mr. Cain accepted Mrs. Shelling friendly amendment.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Cook, principal
of Cypress Point University School
The vote was recorded on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Deborah D. Martin, principal
of Jefferson Upper Elementary School
The vote was recorded on a unanimous vote.
Mr. Donald R. Green, principal
of Carroll High School
The vote was recorded on a unanimous vote.
Prior to taking action on permission to re-advertise for the position of principal of Wossman High School, Mrs. Shelling read the following statement and asked that it be included in the minutes:
"I want to take this opportunity to thank the community, parents and staff of this school board for participating in our selection process. We were fortunate to have had a pool of candidates from which to choose. Unfortunately, we were unable to offer all of the candidates a position.
Community meetings were organized to give all of the communities an opportunity to meet and pose questions to the candidates regarding their concerns. The applicants appeared before interested and concerned parties including the community, parents, and employees of the district and staff members from the individual schools to discuss their visions, goals, philosophies and credentials. Those in attendance also rated each candidate.
The committees were given the charge of selecting the top three candidates from each pool. They, the committees, diligently reviewed and took into consideration candidates experiences, credentials and ability to provide leadership for our schools. Based on the results of the interviews, the committees made recommendations of the top three candidates to the superintendent. From the recommendations, the superintendent interviewed the top three candidates. As a result, the top candidate for each school was chosen for recommendation to the board for final approval.
This process was supposed to be a politically, flawless process that was designed to give the community and parents an opportunity to participate in the selection of the new principals. However, because a very small nucleus of people did not agree with all of the selections, politics crept into the process.
Telephone calls were made with an attempt to arouse the community and staff members at one school. Cruel and unnecessary comments were made regarding one candidate. Even statements by a district representative to criticize and or discredit one candidate were made.
As a board member, I am saddened by the actions of the few who have chosen to make a mockery of our attempt to do the right thing for children. It was our desire, as a board, to give each school a choice of who would best serve as the school's leader. It was our desire to select an academic leader for each school who could provide the vision necessary to take the school to another level. Unfortunately, in one case this did happen. At some point the process broke down because of selfish, unmitigated motives.
As a board member, I am embarrassed that this has happened and would like to apologize to the public and the candidate who has been unfairly scrutinized at the hands of selfish motivated people. And to say to those who played a role in this that, "It is all right to discuss but it is the manner of which we disagree that matters." Thus, to Dr. Sheryllynn Loche who withdrew her name as the leading candidate for Wossman High School principalship on yesterday, I apologize to you.
With such, I would like to nominate Dr. Billye Burns for the position of Principal of Wossman High School for the 2003-2004 school year."
The president called for a second to Mrs. Shelling's motion. The motion died for a lack of a second.
The President called for a vote on permission to re-advertise for the principalship of Wossman High School. The motion carried six to one. Mrs. Shelling opposed for the reason as stated.
Supervisor of Elementary Education:
Dr. Cannon recommended Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford for the position of supervisor of elementary education.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend Rodney McFarland, the Board appointed Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford to the position of supervisor of elementary education. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Other:
Mrs. Shelling announced that a reception will be planned for the newly appointed administrators. Time, date, and placed will be announced later. She also stated that anyone who would like to work on the committee should get in touch with her.
Mr. Cain announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Monday, August 4, 2003, at 3:30 p.m. This meeting will be held in the conference room at the central office.
Mr. Handy thanked everyone who served on the committees.
Action Item 11:
Adjournment:
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that
was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr. Jessie Handy, President
George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent