The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, Monroe City School Board Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana. The meeting was called to order by the President. Prayer was offered by Reverend James B. Johnson, Pastor, New Light 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
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Miss Maria Maggio
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

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

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

Dr. Cannon recommended that agenda item 16 through 20 be deleted from the agenda to be discussed by the administration.

Mrs. Shelling asked that an executive session be added to the agenda to discuss the Superintendent's contract.

During the discussion of the additions, Attorney Lawrence, briefed the Board on the procedure to be used when adding to the agenda prior to a motion and the procedure to be used when adding to the agenda after a motion has been made.

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda with the deletions and addition. The motion carried five to two. Mr. Traweek and Mrs. Smith opposed.

Mrs. Smith: "I oppose because we have already adopted the Superintendent's Contract. However, if Mrs. Shelling has some other issues, they should have been included in her motion."

Mrs. Shelling: "I have no issues but the Board has some issues."

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of September 16 and 30, 2003:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was adopted by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the minutes as corrected. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

President Handy recognized the presence of former board member Curtis Armand. Mr. Handy thanked the public for their support and asked that they continue their support for the Monroe City School System.

Presentation Item 7:

Image Experience Group Program:

Dr. Cannon stated that agenda item 7 will be taken out of sequence because some of the participants have not arrived.

Action Item 8:

Field Trips:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the field trip of Clark Magnet School to travel to Baton Rouge, November 13, 2003. Transportation to be provided by the Transportation Department. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 9:

Distinguished Educator Program:

Dr. Cannon gave a progress report on the application submitted to Superintendent Cecil Picard, as it relates to the Distinguished Educator Program for the Monroe City School System. He further stated that when he receive the official approval letter, the Board will be notified.

Action Item 10:

Awarding of Pizza Bid:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board awarded the pizza bid to Domino's Pizza as indicated on the tabulation sheet. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheet).

Action Item 11:

Science Furniture and Supplies:

Dr. Cannon stated that this science bid is for all elementary schools with the exception of Clark, Madison James Foster, and Lincoln Elementary School. These schools already have science labs and furniture.

Mr. Gray stated that science materials will be ordered for Clark, Madison James Foster, and Lincoln Elementary School's science labs.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board awarded the science furniture and supplies bid as indicated on the tabulation sheet. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheet).

Action Item 12:

Janitorial Supplies Bid:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the janitorial supplies bid as indicated on the tabulation sheets. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheets).

Action Item 13:

Surplus Sale Bids:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board awarded surplus sale items as indicated on the tabulation sheets.

Mr. Cain offered the following friendly amendment: "I request that board attorney obtain an advisory opinion."

The friendly amendment was accepted and the motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheets)

Discussion/Action Item 14:

Policy on Employment of Interns:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the revised policy on the Principal Intern Program that also included the name change from Principal Intern Program to Instructional Facilitators, effective the 2003-2004 academic year.

Mr. Cain offered the following friendly amendment: "We should grandfather those who are already serving as interns under the previous standards, if there are any."

The friendly amendment was accepted and the motion carried on a unanimous vote to include the friendly amendment (See addendum for policy).

Out of Sequence
Presentation Item 7:

Image Experience Group Program:

Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart briefed the Board on the Image Experience Group Program that is housed at Martin Luther King Middle School. Mrs. Douzart presentation included the Image Experience Group's Goals, Objectives, Indicators, and Mission Statement. Staff members and students were presented to the Board by Mrs. Douzart.

Each board member and the Superintendent received a copy of Mrs. Douzart's presentation.

Discussion/Action Item 15:

Students Approved for A Transfer:

Dr. Cannon presented the list of students recommended for administrative transfer for the 2003-2004 academic year.
Mr. Cain made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Traweek that the Board deny the transfer of these students who are attending school out of zone. Instruct the administration for the next board meeting to bring all administrative approved transfers of students to the Board for action.

Mrs. Shelling stated, "my motion is to let these two students stay where they are, and bring all other student transfers to this Board at its next meeting for action. This is my motion."

Dr. Cannon and Mr. Gray explained the process using board policy in checking the residences of students. This process includes all documents the parents present. When the documents have been proven to be correct the students are allowed to transfer.

Mrs. Dayton: "In following the rule, I agree in principal only. in no way should a set of rules outweigh what is best for the child. We should follow the rules, however, there are times when we must take into consideration what is best for the child."

Dr. Cannon: "Is it the intent of the Board not to let these two students transfer? If this is your intent, I am not in favor of this and it is not my recommendation."

Mr. Cain: "My motion is to deny this recommendation as I stated in my motion." Mr. Cain also discussed why the policy was put in place.

Mr. Cain withdrew his previous motion and made the following motion:

It was moved by Mr. Cain, that the Board approve these two student transfers with the understanding that a policy change be made beginning October 8th, that no administrative transfers be made unless it be under the guise of the emergency health concerns of the student. In case of an emergency situation, the emergency must be brought to the Board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting for action.

Mr. Traweek withdrew his second to Mr. Cain's previous motion.

Mr. Traweek: " I will not second this motion, but I am asking the Board to table action on this agenda item and bring it back at the next board meeting along with the other student who have been given a transfer.

Dr. Cannon: "We are talking about two different issues. One is administrative transfers, and the other is the loss of kids from other schools. What the Board should be addressing is what we are doing in some schools that is not working in other schools.'

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board tabled agenda item 15 with the understanding that no administrative transfers be permitted from this point forward without prior approval by this Board. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 15A:

Issues of Concern:

Mrs. Shelling asked the Board to go into executive session to discuss some issues of concern that the Board has regarding misconduct.

Mrs. Shelling made a motion that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, that the Board go into executive session to discuss the Superintendent's Contract. The vote was recorded as five in favor and two opposed. Mrs. Smith and Mr. Traweek opposed.

The board attorney stated it takes a 2/3 vote to go into executives session.

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

The President called for action of agenda items 21A through 21D:

Classified Personnel:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved all classified personnel as recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Classified Retirements:

Carolyn Chisley, Sallie Humble School
Position: Food Technician
Years of Service: 28
Effective: September 15, 2003

Kay Burch, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Years of Service: 26
Effective: August 11, 2003

Classified Resignation:

Gary Clements, Clark Magnet School
Position: Lab Manager
Effective: August 29, 2003

Upgrade of Classified Position:

Eselener McCoy, Berg Jones School
From: Acting Building Supervisor
To: Building Supervisor
Effective: August 7, 2003
Employment of Classified Applicants ­ One Year Only:

Jero Dodson, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Title I tutor
Repalcing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Terry Sherman, Barkdull Faulk School
Position: Food Technician
Replacing: Martha Colman
Effective: August 14, 2003

Evelyn Hall, Berg Jones School
Position: Food Technician
Effective: August 14, 2003

Daryl Seay, Clara Hall School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Sarah Teats
Effective: August 26, 2003

Barbara Hawkins, Clark Magnet School
Position: Custodian
Replacing: Cure Jackson
Effective: September 2, 2003

Funda Smith, Cypress Point School
Position: Title I Tutor
Effective: August 18, 2003

Ruth Garey, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Food Technician
Replacing: Betty Woods
Effective: August 14, 2003

Quonita Cooper, Lexington School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Ernande White
Effective: September 29, 2003

Marla Platt, Sallie Humble School
Position: Interpreter
Effective: September 15, 2003

Annie Broadway, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Food Technician
Replacing: Dorothy Etiel
Effective: August 14, 2003

Lorene Nicholson, Lee Junior High School
Position: Secretary
Replacing: Maurine Pyburn
Effective: September 15, 2003

Malcolm Gay, Wossman High School
Position: Title One Tutor
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Aubrey Crawford, Vocational Education Center
Position: Custodian
New Position
Effective: September 10, 2003

Paula Browhow, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Mark Eleam, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Eleanor Gaines, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Corie Hamilton, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Wanda Hill, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Lillian Kelly
Effective: August 18, 2003

Sharon Jackson, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Janet Lancaster, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Malvern Lewis, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Glenda Miley, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Vincent McGhee, Transportation Department
Position: Mechanic I
Replacing: Charles Qualls
Effective: August 14, 2003

Basil Nwufoh, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Wanda Rogers, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Leonard Sampson, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Ingrid Shaw, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Operator
Replacing: Self ­ Rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

Michelle Williams, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Replacing: Self ­ rehire
Effective: August 14, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The President called for the Superintendent's Report and Announcements;

Prior to the Superintendent's Report and Announcements Mrs. Shelling read a prepared statement, "Issues of Concerns," that addressed personnel issues, finance, and the Superintendent following board policy.
IReport Item 22:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

The Superintendent stated that the agenda items 16 through 20 that were removed from the agenda tonight will be brought back to the Personnel and Finance Committees. The Board will take action at its October 21st board meting.

Mr. Cain asked for a copy of a retirement letter that was received from an employee.

Action Item 23:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adjourned at 8:18 p.m. The motion carried on a majority vote.


Mr. Jessie Handy, President

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent