The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 29, 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. Stephanie Smith
Mr. James Mickey Traweek

Superintendent and Administrative Team:

Mr. Julian Gray
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Mrs. Teresa Foreman

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

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda as printed.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Report Item 5:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President made the following announcements:

• The school district will be closed on Friday, July 2 and Monday July 5, 2004, on observance of Independence Day.

• The Superintendent is on vacation and Mr. Julian Gray will carry out the duties of the Superintendent at tonight's board meeting.

The Board discussed and set the next board meeting for Thursday, July 8, 2004, at 6 p.m.

Discussion/Action Item 6:

Change in Sales Tax Supplement Distribution:

Mrs. Flowers presented a proposal for the change in certified sales tax supplement distribution checks. She further stated that this proposal was presented and approved by the Finance Committee on Monday, June 28, 2004.

• Certified employees will receive a flat rate payment in November of $1000.00.

•  Certified employees will  receive an estimated May payment based on clean-out of $1,150.00.

• Certified employees will receive a monthly supplement of $304.65. This amount is subject to Mr. Lawrence giving proper language to the plan to insure that the district can make adjustments with the rise and fall of sales tax.

•  A recommendation for classified employees will be provided as soon as reliable rates for retirement are received.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the certified sales tax supplement proposal for the 2004-2005 academic year subject to Mr. Lawrence giving the proper language to the plan to insure that the district can make adjustments with the rise and fall of sales tax.  This amount is to appear on the certified checks as a supplement.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for proposal.)

Action Item 7:

Local Personnel Evaluation Plan:

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the revised Local Personnel Evaluation Plan Section 2.0 and 12.0 as presented by Mrs. Hamilton.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.  (See addendum for evaluation plan.)

Action 8:

Federal Programs Consolidated Plan and Budget for 2004-2005:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the 2004-2005 Federal Programs Consolidated Plan/Budget as recommended by the Finance Committee.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.  The budget is on file in the Superintendent's Office.

Action Item 9:

Monroe City School Board Consolidated Budget and the 2003-2004 Revised Budget:

Mrs. Flowers presented the 2004-2005 Consolidated Budget and the 2003-2004 Revised Budget. In the 2004-2005 budget overview, Mrs. Flowers highlighted the following changes in the General Fund Budget:

• MFP fund will be based on previous year information, not on October first member count

• TANT will not fund the Pre-GED program in 2004-2005

• This budget reflects the addition of the ROTC program at Wossman

• The increase in our Group Insurance

• Employer's share in the teachers/school employees retirements.

• The increase in utilities.

Mrs. Flowers further stated that the general fund deficit that had been accumulating since 1995 has been eliminated.  To eliminate the deficit, it took a cooperative effort of all individuals/budget areas to work cooperatively to reach this goal.

Mr. Cain congratulated Mrs. Flowers and her staff along with all other individuals who helped in accomplishing this goal.  He further stated that it was Mrs. Flowers' goal to present a General Fund balanced budget prior to July First.  However, there are other areas in the budget that the Finance Committee along with the Central Office administrative staff will continue to work with to eliminate their deficit.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board  adopted the 2004-2005 Consolidated Budget and the 2003-2004 Revised Budget as presented by Mrs. Flowers.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.  (See addendum for budget.)

Action Item 10:

Insurance Proposal

Mrs. Dayton presented the proposal of insurance as follows:

Commercial General Liability:  Insurer:  Clarendon America Insurance Company

Commercial Automobile:  Insurer:  RLI Insurance Company

Local Agent:  Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. of Louisiana/Broussard, Bush & Hurst Division

Renewal Premium  $625,067.00

Mrs. Dayton read the following statement into the minutes:

Important note regarding charter use of School vehicles

The coverages and permissions offered in this proposal identified in the insurance submission as "School" buses or vans are based upon the warranty that they are used exclusively for the following purposes:  transportation of school students, teachers, administrators, coaches, parents or guardians of school students and other assistants or aides; to and from school, athletic competitions and other school related functions.  Liability coverage does not apply to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death sustained by any other person who is a passenger in the bus at the time of an accident other than those described in the previous paragraph.  

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adopted the insurance proposal of Clarendon America Insurance Company and RLI Insurance Company as presented by Mrs. Dayton.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.  (See addendum for insurance proposal.)

Action Item 11:

Time Management System:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the Time Management System in the amount of $96,975.00.  The system to be installed July 1^st or as soon as possible there after.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.  (See addendum for proposal.)

Action Item 12:

Principal for Sallie Humble Elementary School:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board appointed Mr. David Claxton to the principalship at Sallie Humble Elementary School, effective July 1, 2004.   The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13:

Principal for Clara Hall Elementary School:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Reverend Rodney McFarland, the Board appointed Mrs. Barbara Davis to the principalship at Clara Hall Elementary School, effective July 1, 2004.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The President congratulated Mr. Claxton and Mrs. Davis, and pledged the support of the Board.

Mr. Claxton and Mrs. Davis thanked the Board for their vote of confidence, and they reassured the Board  that they will maintain and/or improve the level of academic excellence.

Report Item 14:

Superintendent's Report and Announcements

The President re-announced that Dr. Cannon is on vacation.

Action Item 15:

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, The Board adjourned at 6:35p.m.  The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent