The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at the Monroe City School Board Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana, 71201. The meeting was called to order by the President. Prayer was offered by Reverend Rodney McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Members Present:

Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda M. Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Superintendent and Administrative Team:

Dr. George D. Cannon
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Miss Maria Maggio
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Administrators, employees, parents, representatives from professional organizations, and the news media were in attendance.

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board adopted the agenda with the deletion of agenda item 9 (Carroll High School Medical Program), as recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of December 16, 2003:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted the minutes of December 16, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6:

Election of Officers for 2004:

Dr. Cannon presided over the election of officers for 2004. He declared that the office of President and Vice President is now vacant and called for nominations for the office of President.

It was moved by Mrs. Dayton that the Board retain the same slate of officers for 2004, and it was seconded by Mr. Traweek. The motion carried five to two. Mr. Handy recused himself and Reverend McFarland opposed.

Mr. Handy: "I recused myself because of the additional stipend that is given to the President. However, I would have voted for Mrs. Smith if the motion had been separate."

Report: Item 7:

The President's Report and Announcements:

President Handy thanked the news media, central office staff, administrators, parents, and supporters of the System, for their presence. He also thanked the Board for electing him back as President and for the trust that they have placed in him . He further stated that he will always try to improve himself in his leadership in guiding the board in issues that requires board involvement.

Mrs. Smith wished everyone a "Happy New Year" and she also thanked the Board for allowing her to continue to serve as vice president in 2004. She also stated that she will do her very best to represent the district in a peaceful and mannerly way.

Agenda Item 8:

Field Trips:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the following field trips:

A. Minnie Ruffin School to New Orleans
Effective: January 30, 2004
Transportation: School Bus

B. Jefferson Upper Elementary School to Ruston
Effective: January 30, 2004
Transportation: School Bus

Prior to Board discussion/action, Dr. Cannon made the following announcement:

Dr. Cannon announced that Mrs. Shelling has been appointed by the Louisiana School Boards Association to serve as a member of the NSBA Federal Relations Network Conference, the 2004 NSBA Southern Regional Committee, and the Nominating Committee of the LSBA Board of Directors.

The Federal Relations Network 31st Conference will be held in Washington, D. C., February 1-3, 2004.

Mr. Cain stated that Mrs. Shelling's travel to these conferences should be added to the agenda. However, the Board had a motion on the floor.

This item will be added to the agenda as 16A.


The motion made on agenda item 8 carried with a unanimous vote. (See addendum for travel information).

Mrs. Dayton stated that the Transportation Committee should review the Board's Policy on use of school buses and bring a report back to the Board.

Action Item 10:

Annual Audit Report:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the Annual Audit Report for the fiscal year 2002-2003, as presented by Mr. Francis Huffman of Luffey, Huffman & Monroe. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (A copy of the Audit Report is on file in the Superintendent's Office and the Business Department.)

Action Item 11:

Permission to Advertise for Bids:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for bids for food products in the School Food Service Department.

Report Item 12:

The Monroe City School Board's Curriculum Committee:

Mrs. Smith briefed the Board on the curriculum committee meeting that was held on January 8, 2004. She stated that curriculum reports were given by those who are responsible for specific curriculum areas.

Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford briefed the Board on the elementary curriculum and Miss Maria Maggio briefed the Board on the junior and senior high school curriculum.

Mrs. Smith stated that the Curriculum Committee is looking at adding physical education and foreign language to the elementary curriculum.

Reverend McFarland congratulated Dr. Gunn-Ford for keeping board members informed on education issues.

Mrs. Shelling stated that all of the supervisors have done an outstanding job in keeping board members informed.

Action Item 13:

Board/Superintendent Work Session:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board set February 15th at 2 p.m. for their next work session. The Superintendent will finalize a place and inform the Board. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 14A - 14D - 14F - 15F:

Personnel Changes:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved all personnel changes that were recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Certified Resignations:

Rose Drew, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: November 26, 2003

Jocelyn Hebert, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: January 9, 2004


Willie Minchew, Martin Luther King Middle School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: January 8, 2004

Antonio Britton, Adult Education Center
Position: Classroom Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: December 19, 2003


Certified Leaves With Pay And Family Medical Leave:

Carolyn Moore, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Pre K Teacher
Effective: November 21 - March 17, 2004 (1/2 day)
Family Leave: March 17 (1/2 day) - May 28, 2004
A total of 111 days

Beverly Hodge, Clark Magnet School
Position: Pre K Teacher
Effective: January 23 (1/2day) - February 27, 2004
Family Leave: March 1 - May 28, 2004
A total of 81 days

Certified Extended Sick Leaves:

Adrianne Freemont, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Third Grade Teacher
Effective: December 12-19, 2003
A total of 6 days

Becky Gasca, Madison James Foster School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: November 13, 2003-February 9, 2004
A total of 30 days

Adele Gremillion, Madison James Foster School
Position: Third Grade Teacher
Effective: January 13 (1/2 day) - February 27, 2004
A total of 31.5 days

Sherry Bell, Lee Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective November 6 - December 18, 2003
A total of 27 days
Lisa Durham, Lee Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: January 7 - May 24, 2004
A total of 90 days

Alye Jones, Martin Luther King Middle School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: December 18 (1/2 day) - May 19, 2004 (1/2 day)
A total of 90 days

Carolyn Brass, Wossman High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: January 7 - February 18, 2994
A total of 24 days

Certified Salary Change:

Rayne Adams, Pupil Appraisal Center
Position: School Psychologist
From: 10 months
To: 09 Months
Effective: August 14, 2003

Employment of Certified Retired Applicant - One Semester:

Patricia A. Jackson, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: First Grade Teacher
Replacing: Nancy Hodges
Effective: December 1, 2003

Certified Applicants - One Semester Only:

KeMario Elliott, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: In-House Suspension Teacher
Effective: November 5, 2003

Jennifer Kimble, Sherrouse - Alternative School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Replacing: Rosa Jones
Effective: January 5, 2004

Michael Stone, Sherrouse School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Effective: January 5, 2004


Certified Applicants - One Year Only:

Betty Guthrie, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Pre- K Teacher - rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Barbara Slack, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
New Position
Effective: October 23, 2003

Khajana Green, Lexington Elementary School
Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
New Position
Effective: December 1, 2003

Derrick Elliott, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Second Grade Teacher
Replacing: Rose Dew
Effective: December 9, 2003

Deidra Lewis, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Fifth Grade Teacher
Replacing: Jennifer Staten
Effective: December 15, 2003

Virginia Rutherford, Martin Luther King Middle School
Position: Seventh Grade Teacher
Replacing: DeWarda Aamler
Effective: December 1, 2003

Sally Williams, Sallie Humble Elementary School
Position: Third Grade Teacher
Replacing: Victoria Silk
Effective: December 8, 2003

Classified Resignations:

April Williamson, Lincoln School
Position: Title One Tutor
Effective: December 1, 2003

Donald Reese, Neville High School
Position: Food Technician
Effective: December 8, 2003

Classified Retirement:

Gloria Ard, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Custodial Worker
Years of Service: 28
Effective: December 1, 2003

Classified Medical family Leave Without Pay:

Tina Brown, Sherrouse School
Position: Food Technician
Effective: October 3 - January 9, 2004

Classified Change in Employment Status:

Georgia Ellis, Sallie Humble Elementary School
From: Bus Operator
To: Food Technician
Effective: October 27, 2003

Classified Applicants - One Semester Only:

Debbie Bradley, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Food Technician
Effective: October 6, 2003

Latreacia Matthews, Madison James Foster Elementary School
Position: Title One Tutor
Effective: November 11, 2003

Classified Applicants:- One Year Only:

Katrina Johnson, Clara Hall Elementary School
Position: Title One Tutor
Effective: November 3, 2003

Jennifer Hill, Cypress Point University School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Nancy Henry
Effective: December 1, 2003

Christie Curtis, Lee Junior High School
Position: Interpreter
(To assist Kathy Rasco - ESL Teacher)
Effective: October 28, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 14E:

Transfer of Certified Employees:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the transfer of the following certified employees as recommended by Dr. Cannon:

Harvey Hanson, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
From: Classroom Teacher
To: Accountability Specialist
Effective: November 3, 2003

Patsy Powell, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Principal Intern
From: Classroom Teacher at Barkdull Faulk School
Effective: December 15, 2003

Victoria Silk, Sallie Humble School
From: Classroom Teacher
To: Principal Intern
Effective: December 8, 2003

The motion carried five to two. Mr. Cain and Reverend McFarland opposed.

Action Item 16:

Review of School Zone Lines:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the Board President to appoint a sub committee of board members to review school zones lines and their effect on school population as recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Review of School Zone Lines Committee:

Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mr. James "Mickie" Traweek
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton - (Alternate)
Mr. Jessie L. Handy - (Ex-officio)

Addition of Agenda Item 16A

Travel for Mrs. Shelling to National School Board FRN Conference:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board added to the agenda board travel of Mrs. Shelling to the FRN Conference, Washington, D. C. The motion carried six to one. Mrs. Shelling recused herself.

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board approved the travel of Mrs. Shelling to the FRN Conference, February 1-3, 2004, Washington, D.C., at a cost not to exceed $1,500.00. The System's Budget for "Board Travel" is to be revised to reflect this amount.

Report Item 17:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

Dr. Cannon made the following announcements:

The System will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2004
The School System will take part in the Black Heritage Month activities
The B. A. "Gus" Petterson 80th birthday celebration will be on Friday, January 23, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at the Chateau Restaurant. The public is invited.

Action Item 18:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adjourned at 7:51 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent