The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 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
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda M. Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. Mickey Traweek

Superintendent and Administrative Staff:

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

Administrators, employees, 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 Mrs. Shelling, the Board adopted the agenda with the addition on an executive session.

Mr. Traweek offered the following friendly amendment: Table action item 9 ­ Employment of a Maintenance Manager until the October 7th board meeting.

The friendly amendment was not accepted.

The motion carried five to one. Mr. Traweek opposed.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Board Minutes of September 2 & 9, 2003:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. TraweeK, the Board adopted the minutes of September 2 & 9, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Report 5A:

The President's Report and Announcements:

President Handy thanked the administrative staff, teachers, support workers, parents, and the news media for their support of the Monroe City School System.

Discussion/Action Item 6:

Rehabilitation Act and Dyslexia Act:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Dyslexia Act 1120 Policy as presented and recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 7:

Sales Tax Supplement ­ Employee Survey of Payment Options:

Mrs. Derenda Flowers presented the results of the Sales Tax Supplement ­ Employee Survey of Payment Options The survey was as follows:

Option # 1: Continue paying supplements as currently distributed.

Option # 2 Add supplements into current monthly checks.

Option # 3 Add a portion of the total current supplements to regular monthly
checks, give all employees an additional check with a fixed amount
each November and a clear out check in June.

The majority of employees who participated in the survey voted for Option # 1.

The Board discusses all options as presented and took the following action:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board tabled action on the Sales Tax Supplement ­ Employee Survey of Payment Options. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 8:

Renovation at Berg Jones School:

Mr. George Pickering gave an update of all school projects. The Board addressed concerns with Berg Jones School cafeteria renovations, walk-way, and cafeteria bathroom, Lincoln, Sallie Humble, Barkdull Faulk Cafeteria, Martin Luther King sixth grade lockers, Wossman High field house, and Georgia Tucker bid.

Mrs. Shelling asked Dr. Cannon to schedule a meeting with Mr. Pickering and the Board to re-visit all school projects.

Action Item 9:

Employment of a Maintenance Manager:

Mrs. Flowers briefed the Board on the advertisement and interviewing process for the position of Maintenance Manager. She further stated that the Superintendent and Business Manager recommends Mr. Charles Monroe for the position of Maintenance Manager, effective September 29, 2003. The motion carried five to one. Mr. Traweek abstained.

Mr. Traweek, "I abstained because of what Dr. Cannon said to me on yesterday as it relates to this position."

Action Item 10:

Telecommunications Facilitator:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for the position of Telecommunications Facilitator. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for information).

Action Item 11:

Contracted Services:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board entered into contracted agreements as indicated below:
A. Ms. Anjelque Liles, Physical Therapist, September 15, 2003 through
May 26, 2004.

B. Ms. Sharbono, Occupational Therapist, August 19, 2003 through
May 26, 2004.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote

Action Item 11C

Executive Session:

Attorney Lawrence briefed the Board and Mr. Richard Wilson on the procedure that gives the rights of an individual for going into executive session without the proper time line. He asked Mr. Richard Wilson if he was willing to waive the required time line and proceed with the executive session. Mr. Wilson replied yes.

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board went into executive session at 7:15 p.m. for a period of time not to exceed fifteen minutes to discuss a personnel issue. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The Board reconvened at 7:36 p.m.

Add to the Agenda Item 11D:

Temporary Authority to Teach Teachers:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board added to the agenda an action item on Temporary Authority to Teach Teachers. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Shelling stated that, at the Louisiana School Boards Association Board Meeting, the Board discussed the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education language for the Louisiana definition of "highly qualified" teachers. She further stated that at the September board meeting of BESE, the Board will consider defining the certification structure for the "highly qualified" definition for Louisiana. Hopefully, by the 2005-2006 school year, all schools will have certified teachers.

(See addendum for memorandum received from State Superintendent Cecil J. Picard as it relates to Highly Qualified Definition for No Child Left Behind Act of 2001).

TAT Teachers Who Have Received Letters for One Semester Only:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board employed the following TAT teachers for only semester only, unless they meet the certification requirements to be rehired, effective August 14, 2003:

Wanda Scurfield Carver Elementary School
Ramona Martin Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Denise Evette Smith Lincoln Elementary School
Ashley Perkins Sallie Humble Elementary School
Joyce Hebert Carroll Junior High School
Jennifer Sweeney Lee Junior High School
Cynthia Dunlop Martin Luther King Middle School
Maurice Pollard Martin Luther King Middle School
Albertine Willis Martin Luther King Middle School
Travis Stanley Neville High School
Jesse Esters Wossman High School
Thomas Aitken Sherrouse Alternative School
Greg Burton Sherrouse Alternative School

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

TAT Teachers Who Received Letters of Dismissal:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Andrew Bias, Carroll Junior, effective September 12, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Daryl Savage, Carroll Junior, effective September 16, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Richard Wilson, Carroll Junior, effective September 16, 2003. The motion carried five to one. Reverend McFarland opposed.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Acie Freeman, Jr., Carroll High School, effective September 16, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was second by Mr. Cain, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Ruby Johnson and Otis Robinson, Wossman High School, effective September 10, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was second by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the recommendation not to re-hire Linda Woods, Adult/Vocational Education Center, effective September 15, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 12:

Certified Contracts:

The Board discussed the certified contracts with changes as presented by Dr. Cannon.

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board tabled action on certified contracts until the next meeting of the Board. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13A:

Request to Rescind Sabbatical Leave:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the request to rescind Diane Lewis previously granted sabbatical leave for professional improvement, mathematics teacher, Neville High School, effective August 14, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13B:

Certified Resignation:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the resignation of Eva Laviolette, classroom teacher, Minnie Ruffin School, effective September 8, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13C:

Principal Intern:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved Lisa Wilmore as principal intern at Minnie Ruffin School, one year only, effective August 7, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13D:

New Hires ­ One Semester Only:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board tabled action on new hires for one semester only until the next meeting of the Board. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 13E:

Employment of Certified Applicants:
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board tabled action on all certified applicants until the next meeting of the Board. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 14A:

Termination of Classified Employee:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the termination of Ernanda White, special education aide at Lexington Elementary School, effective September 8, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 14B:

Classified Applicants:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board employed the listed classified applicants as recommended by Dr. Cannon.

Marvin Williams, Berg Jones School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Frank Stewart
Effective: September 5, 2003

Annie Madison, Carver Elementary School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Clarice Shoulders
Effective: August 14, 2003

Michelle Holmes, Clara Hall school
Position: Pre-K Teacher Aide
Replacing: Nicki Johns
Effective: August 14, 2003

Lesley Anne Carter, Cypress Point School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Erin Shaffott
Effective: August 18, 2003

Gail Holland, Cypress Point School
Position: Special Education Aide
New Position
Effective: August 25, 2003

Charlene Bingham, Madison James Foster School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Virginia Turner
Effective: August 14, 2003

Brondalyn Jackson, Madison James Foster School
Position: Title I Aide
Replacing: Chharlotte Russ
Effective: August 14, 2003

Mary Nelson, Madison James Foster School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Pathina Anderson
Effective: November 20, 2003

Yvonne Watson, Madison James Foster School
Position: Special Education Aide
New Position
Effective: August 26, 2003

Rebecca Lin Gay, Carroll High School
Position: Secretary
Replacing: Wanda Gardner
Effective: August 14, 2003

Renee B. Wright, Johnny Robinson's Boys Home
Position: Tutor
Effective: August 25, 2003

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 15:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

1. School membership is constantly improving.
2. Friday, September 19,th is the deadline for receiving applications for Minnie Ruffin School Principal.
3. A community meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 23,rd.
Minnie Ruffin School at 6:00 p.m.

4. Interviews will be held on Wednesday, September 24th.
Media Center at 5 p.m.

The public is invited to both meetings.

Action Item 16:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adjourned at 8:40 p.m The motion carried on a unanimous vote.



Mr. Jessie Handy, President

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent