The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Thursday, June 17, 2004, at 5 p.m., 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 Shelling
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Superintendent and Administrative Team:

Dr. George D. Cannon
Mr. Julian Gray
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Miss Maria Maggio
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Teresa Foreman

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. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda with agenda item 16 taken out of sequence to follow item 6 and with the deletion of agenda item 13. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of May 25, 2004;

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted the minutes of May 25, 2004. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President thanked the public, parents, central office staff, and the news media for their support and attendance at tonight's meeting. He further stated that Mrs. Stephanie Smith did know about tonight's meeting but was unable to attend. The Board will meet again on Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at 5 p.m.

Agenda Item 16: Taken Out of Sequence:

Executive Session:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board went into executive session at 5:14 p.m. for a period of time not to exceed thirty minutes to discuss the following lawsuits:

Carrie Burks -vs-MCSB (UDC-W.D. of La.) No. CV03-1751-M
Kenneth Mason-vs-MCSB 03-5891 (4th JDC-Parish of Ouachita).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The Board reconvened into open session at 5:55 p.m.

Action Item 7:

Awarding of Bid:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the Milk and Orange Juice bid to Borden Milk Products, LP, in the amount of $614,856.00 as indicated on the tabulation sheet. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheet.)

Action Item 8:

Student Information System:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board authorized the administration to purchase/lease a new student information system. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. See addendum for District Lease Agreement.

Report Item 9:

Retirement/Health Care Cost:

Dr. Cannon briefed the Board on the additional impact to the System's Budget if the State Legislature does not appropriate the funds for the retirement/health care that is imposed upon all school districts in the state. The increase to our System will be as follows:

Teachers Retirement System from 13.8% to 17.3%
Louisiana School Employees Retirement System from 8.5% to 18.8%

Discussion/Action Item 10:

Change in the 1968 Sales Tax Distribution:

During the discussion on the requested change in the distribution format of the 1968 Sales Tax. Mrs. Flowers asked the Board to delay action on this agenda item and allow her to present to the Finance Committee a plan to implement all sales tax contributions.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board tabled action on this agenda item until the June 29th board meeting. Mrs. Flowers will present a plan for implementation of all sales tax funds. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11:

Local Personnel Evaluation Plan:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board tabled action on this agenda item until the June 29th board meeting as requested by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 12:

Contracted Services:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board entered into contracted services with Dr. Sherlyn Powell as an educational consultant, effective August, 2004 through May, 2005. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. See addendum for contract.

Action Items 14A through 15H:

Personnel Changes:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board approved all personnel changes as recommended by the Superintendent.

Extended Certified Sick Leaves:

Maude Mason Walls, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Teacher
Effective: March 19, April 7, 8, 26, 30, 2004
A total of 5 days

Dorothy Johnson, Minnie Ruffin Elementary School
Position: Teacher
Effective: April 20 (1/2 day) - 23, 2004
A total of 3.5 days

Kim Barr, Sallie Humble Elementary School
Position: Speech Therapist
Effective: September 17 through October 6, 2004
Maternity Leave Adjustment Dates
A total of 14 days

Pamela Smith, Pupil Appraisal Center
Position: School Psychologist
Effective: May 7 (1/2 day) through May 28, 2004
A total of 15.5 days

Family Medical Leave Without Pay:

Kim Barr, Sallie Humble Elementary School
Position: Speech Therapist
Effective: October 7 through December 17, 2004
Maternity Leave

Certified Resignations:

Anne-Marie Martin, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Speech Therapist
Reason: Relocating
Effective: May 28, 2004

Pretesia Brice, Carver Elementary School
Position: Teacher
Reason: Relocating
Effective: May 28, 2004

Michael Bryan, Martin Luther King Middle School
Position: Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: May 28, 2004

Certified Applicants:

Helen Ash, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: First Grade Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Tonia Buckley
(Was hired for one year only)
Effective: August 12, 2004

Debbie Davis, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Special Education Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Jimmy Owens
Transferred to area of Certification (Health and P. E.)
Effective: August 12, 2004

Melinda Dickens, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Second Grade Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Laura Turner - Resigned
Effective: August 12, 2004

Pamela L. Williams, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Speech Therapist
One Year Only
Replacing: Anne M. Martin - Resigned
Effective: August 12, 2004

Stephanie Stewart, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: First Grade Teacher
Replacing: Self
Effective: August 12, 2004

Erin Turner, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: First Grade Teacher
Replacing: Self
Effective: August 12, 2004

Rena Lucas, Clara Hall Elementary School
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Jean Dunham - Resigned
Effective: August 12, 2004

Marisa Ann Bible, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Second Grade Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Kendra Stanley - TAT
Effective: August 12, 2004

Shirley Cannon, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Special Education Teacher
One Year Only
Replacing: Diane Plum - Retired
Effective: August 12, 2004

Certified Upgrading of Position:

Shirley Hollinquest, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Curriculum Coordinator
From: 9 months to 10 months
Replacing: Evelyn Gilbert
Transferred to Librarian
Effective: July 29, 2004

Classified Extended Sick Leave:

Henry Shaw, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Effective: April 14 (1/2 day) 15, 21(1/2 day), 22, 2004
A total of 3 days

Family Medical Leave Without Pay:

Mary Johnson, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Effective: April 5 through May 28, 2004

Disability Retirement:

Alice Caston, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Years of Service: 10
Effective: May 28, 2004

Classified Retirement:

Ida Haywood, Lexington Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Years of Service: 17
Effective: June 1, 2004

Classified Resignations:

Jennifer Hill, Cypress Point University School
Position: Special Education Aide
Reason: Not listed
Effective: May 28, 2004

Yvonne Benton, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Reason: Not listed
Effective: May 28, 2004

Sharon Braden, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Reason: Not listed
Effective: May 28, 2004

Debra Kolb, Lincoln Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Reason: Returning to School
Effective: May 28, 2004

Classified Professional Leave Without Pay:

Ushula Ashley, Sherrouse School
Position: Computer Operator
Effective: 2004-2005 School Year
One Year Only

Classified Upgrade of Position:

Michael Jackson, Berg Jones Elementary School
From: Acting Cafeteria Manager
To: Cafeteria Manager
Replacing: Margie Jenkins - Retired
Effective: June 7, 2004

Classified Applicants:

Nicey Winters, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
One Year Only
Replacing: LaTaarsha Goins
Day by Day Substitute
Effective: August 12, 2004

Linda Rucker, Berg Jones Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
One Year Only
Replacing: Neysa Newill
Day by Day Substitute
Effective: August 12, 2004

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 17:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

Dr. Cannon stated that the Clara Hall and Sallie Humble Elementary Schools process have been completed. A recommendation will be brought forward at the next board meeting.

Other Announcements:

The Finance and Transportation Committees will meet on Monday, June 28th at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Central Office.

The Insurance Committee will meet on Monday, June 28th at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Central Office.

Superintendent Search Update:

Mrs. Derenda Flowers gave an update on the Superintendent Search process. There is a possibility the representatives from Ray and Associates will be in Monroe to complete their community interviews.

Action Item 18:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adjourned at 6:09 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote
 

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent