The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at the Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana. The meeting was called to order by the President. The prayer was offered by Reverend James B. Johnson, Pastor, New Light Missionary Baptist Church. 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
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Dr. Laverne Gunn-Ford
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Administrators, members of professional organizations, employees, parents, citizens, and the news media were in attendance.

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

Dr. Cannon recommended the addition of 7A and B ­ Awarding of Bids: A. School Food Service Food Products and B. ­ School Food Service Department

Mr. Lawrence requested an executive session to discuss Henry Walker ­ vs ­ Monroe City School Board, 3:02 CV1110 ­ Western District of Louisiana.

Addition of 12E ­ Henry Walker ­ vs­ Monroe City School Board, 302 CV1110 (USDC- Western District of Louisiana) was added to the agenda..

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adopted the agenda with the additions as recommended by Dr. Cannon and Mr. Lawrence and deleted action item 13 ­ Executive Session. The vote was recorded as follows. Voting in favor of the motion were Mr. Cain, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Traweek, and Mr. Handy. Opposed were: Mrs. Dayton, Mrs. Shelling, and Reverend McFarland. The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda with the additions as recommended by Dr. Cannon and Mr. Lawrence. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of August 4, 2003:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted the minutes of August 4, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President thanked the public for their support and asked for their continued support.

Action Items 7-7A & 7B:

Lida Benton Demolition:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board awarded the bids as listed below:

7. The demolition of Lida Benton School to Hudleston's Tractor & Dozer, in the
amount of $28,000.00.

7A. School Food Service Food Products to Sysco, in the amount of $$522,982.05.

7B School Food Service Department Paper and Cleaning Supplies bid as
indicated on the tabulation sheets.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote (See addendum for tabulation sheets).
Action Item 8:

Monroe City Schools Revised School Calendar ­ 2003 ­ 2004:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the revised Monroe City Schools calendar as presented by Mr. Gray and recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for calendar).

Action Item 9:

Schedule of Board Meetings:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the schedule of board meetings, subject to call meetings, when needed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for schedule).

Action Item 10:

Ratification of Employment:

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board ratified the employment of Phedra Owens as principal of Carver Elementary School, on a two-year contract, effective August 11, 2003 and ending on June 30, 2005. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11A:

Certified Retirements:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the following certified retirements:

Geraldine Jones, Carroll High School
Position: Special Education Teacher
Years of Service: 23
Effective: July 2, 2003

Ann Myers, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Special Education Teacher
Years of Service: 26
Effective: September 1, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11B:

Certified Resignations:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the list of certified resignations as recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Mandy Condell, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 1, 2003

Angela Krantzman, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Sixth Grade Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 11, 2003

Abby Mauwong, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: ESL Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 6, 2003

Sonja M. Smith, Martin Luther King School
Position: Sixth Grade Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: June 30, 2003

Mariko Hall, Carroll High School
Position: Social Studies
Reason: Not listed
Effective: May 30, 2003

Rebecca Wiley-Samuel, Carroll High School
Position: Business Education
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 6, 2003

Marilyn Rawls, Neville High School
Position: English Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: June 30, 2003

Viki L. Lyons, Adult Education Center
Position: Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: July 28, 2003
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action 12A:

Classified Retirement::

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the listed classified retirement:

Eula Moore, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Years of Service: 11
Effective: August 1, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 12B:

Classified Resignations:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was second by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved listed classified resignations.

Ella Mae James, Carver School
Position: Food Technician
Effective: August 1, 2003

Nicki Johns, Clara Hall School
Position: Special Education Aide
Effective: August 8, 2003

Virginia Turner, Madison James Foster School
Position: Special Education Aide
Effective: July 29, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 12C:

Adjustment in Employment Schedule:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the adjustment in the classified employment scheduled as listed below.

Sylvia Hudson, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Computer Operator
From: 12 Months
To: 10 Months
Effective: July 30, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 12D1-9:

Classified Applicants:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board employed the listed applicants for one year as indicated below.

Emma Rodgers, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Special Education Aide
New Position
Effective: August 14, 2003

Michelle Holmes, Clara Hall School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Nicki Johns
Effective: August 14, 2003

Sharon Braden, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Eula Moore
Effective: August 14, 2003

Leslie Joseph, Lexington Elementary School
Position: Computer Lab
Replacing: Pat Garrett
Effective: August 12, 2003

Ernanda White, Lexington School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Sharon Pohlman
Effective: August 14, 2003

Lori Lauve, Lexington Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
New Position
Effective: August 14, 2003
.
Kathie Hall, Carroll High School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Marvin Williams
Effective: August 14, 2003

Bettie Hampton-Owens, Carroll High School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Traskeike Johnson
Effective: August 13, 2003

Alisha A. Love, Transportation Department
Position: Operation Specialist One
Replacing: Timpelle Price
Effective: July 1, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote

Agenda Item 12E:

Executive Session:

Attorney Lawrence asked the Superintendent and the Board to go into executive session to discuss a settlement negotiation in Henry Walker ­ vs ­ Monroe City School Board, 302 CV1110 (USDC ­ Western District of Louisiana).

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs .Dayton, the Board went into executive session at 6:35 for a period of time not to exceed 30 minutes to discuss Henry Walker vs Monroe City School Board, Case 302 CV1110 (USDC - Western District of Louisiana). The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The Board reconvened at 7:22 p.m. with no action taken .

Action Item 13:

Executive Session:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board went into executive session at 7:25 for a period of time not to exceed 20 minutes to discuss collective bargaining issues. The motion carried six to one. Mr. Cain opposed.

The Board reconvened at 7:40 p.m.

Action Item 14:

Collective Bargaining:

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, that the Board give school employees the right to vote by secret ballot, on whether they want collective bargaining. Voting for the motion were: Mrs. Shelling, Mrs. Smith, and Reverend McFarland. Voting against the motion were: Mr. Cain, Mr. Traweek, Mrs. Dayton, and Mr. Handy. The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on this agenda item.

Action Item 11C:

Employment of Certified Applicants:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the employment of all certified applicants as recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Stacie Sylvestri, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: First Grade Teacher
Replacing: Kim Landry
Effective: August 14, 2003

Tonia T. Buckley, Berg Jones School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: August 14, 2003

Tracy Lee Basco, Berg Jones School
Position: Special Education Teacher
Replacing: Willie Peterson
Effective: August 14, 2003

Jennifer Lawson, Clark Magnet School
Position: Fifth Grade
Replacing: Marsha Nola
Effective: August 13, 2003

Pamela McKeither Plummer, Cypress Point School
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Effective: August 14, 2003

Michael Esters, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Pre Kindergarten Teacher
Replacing: Barbara Candelle
Effective: August 14, 2003

Vicki Williams, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Accountability Specialist
Replacing: Barbara Simmons
Effective: July 29, 2003

Eva Laviolette, Minnie Ruffin Elementary School
Position: Special Education Teacher
New Position
Effective: August 14, 2003

Carol McDonald, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Mathematics
Replacing: Felton McGhee
Effective: August 13, 2003

Patti Cogburn, Lee Junior High School
Position: Gifted Reading
Replacing: Patricia May
Effective: August 13, 2003

Jeffrey Gregory, Lee Junior High School
Position: Social Studies
Replacing: Delton Dearman
Effective: August 13, 2003

Rebecca L. King, Lee Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
New Position
Effective: August 13, 2003

Barry Wade Mitchell, Lee Junior High School
Position: History Teacher
Replacing: Sarah Mabry
Effective: August 13, 2003

Anthony Tisdale, Lee Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Replacing: Nancy Absher
Effective: August 14, 2003

Pamela Ann Wilkins, Lee Junior High School
Position: Gifted Mathematics
Replacing: Nicole Vrabel
Effective: August 13, 2003

Willie T. Minchew, Martin Luther King School
Position: Mathematics
Replacing: Rotena Russell
Effective: August 13, 2003

Eric Mulkey, Martin Luther King School
Position: Sixth Grade Teacher
Replacing: Benjamin Bynum
Effective: August 13, 2003

Nicole Rudolph, Martin Luther King School
Position: English Teacher
Replacing: Evelena Johnson
Effective: August 13, 2003

Tamla M. South, Martin Luther King School
Position: Sixth grade Teacher
Replacing: Patricia Johnson
Effective: August 13, 2003

Lisa C. Murray, Special Services Department
Position: School Psychologist
New Position
Effective: July 30, 2003

Kevin Riley, Systemwide Music Program
Position: Orchestra Instructor
Effective: August 14, 2003

Mao Mao Zhang, Systemwide Music Program
Position: Orchestra Instructor
Effective: August 14, 2003

The motion carries on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 15:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

The Personnel Committee will meet on Monday, August 25 at 4 p.m. The Finance Committee will meet immediately after the Personnel Committee. Both meetings will be held at the Central Office in the Superintendent's Conference Room.

The Board and the Superintendent will meet in its final phase of the Retreat on Thursday, August 28 from 4:30 to 9 P.M. This retreat will be held at the Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana.
Open House Information:

Mr. Cain requested that Dr. Cannon see to it that board members be given a copy of all schools open house information.

Martin Luther King School invited the Board and the Superintendent to a Back-To-School Community Block Party, Friday, August 22, 2003, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Mr. Kirk Clark thanked the Superintendent and Board for the cleaning equipment that was budgeted and purchased for the custodial staff in all schools. He also asked the board members to stop by the schools, when possible, to see the difference that the equipment has made. The janitorial staff is pleased with the new equipment.

Action Item 16:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie Handy, President

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent