The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, Monroe City School Board Media Center, 2009 Auburn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana. The meeting was called to order by the President. The prayer was offered by Reverend Rodney McFarland. 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 Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mr. Mickey Traweek

Superintendent and Administrative Team:

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

Administrators, employees, parents, citizens, 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. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda with the following deletion and addition:
Deletion of Agenda Item 15: Employment of a Maintenance Manager. Action will be taken at the September 16th meeting of the Board

Addition of Agenda Item 18D:. An Executive Session

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Minutes of August 19, 2003:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the minutes of August 19, 2003. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President thanked the parents, teachers, administrators, and the news media for their presence. He also stated that their presence makes a difference.

Presentation Item 7:

Mr. Wynn Lawrence, a representative of BellSouth presented the following teachers with a grant award in the amount of $500.00:

Dr. Susan Cole, Clark Magnet School and
Mrs. Amy Johnston, Sallie Humble School.

The Superintendent and board members thanked Mr. Lawrence and Bell South for their interest in the education of the students in the Monroe City School System. They also congratulated Dr. Cole and Mrs. Johnston for their accomplishments.

Action Item 8:

Awarding of Instructional Supplies Bid:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board awarded the instructional bid as indicated on the tabulation sheets. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheets).

Action Item 9:

Awarding of Pest Control Services Bid:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the pest control bid as follows:

Group I (Cafeteria) to Redd Pest Control ­ total bid $10,032.00 and

Group II (School and Departments) to Smith Exterminators ­ total bid $18,000.00.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheet)

Action Item 10:

Interagency Agreement Between Monroe City School Board and Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program:
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the interagency agreement as recommended by Dr. Cannon. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for interagency agreement).

Action Item 11:

Declare A Surplus on Miscellaneous School Furniture, Equipment, and School Buses:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling, seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for sealed bids on miscellaneous school furniture, equipment, and school buses. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 12:

Transfer of a Certified Employee:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the recommendation of Dr. Cannon to transfer Andrew Hill, principal of Minnie Ruffin Elementary School, to the Media Center, as a title one supervisor. Effective after a principal has been name for Minnie Ruffin Elementary School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Dr. Cannon, board members, and Mrs. Douzart, congratulated Mr. Hill and voiced their mixed feelings on his transfer. Mr. Hill pledged his continued support to all students within the Monroe City School System. He also thanked the Superintendent and Board for their vote of confidence and trust.

Action Item 13:

Permission to Advertise for an Administrative Position:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for the position of principal at Minnie Ruffin Elementary School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Information Item 14:

Rehabilitation Act and Dyslexia Act:

Each board member received a copy of Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Dyslexia Act 1120, for information only. The Board will take action at its September 16th board meeting.

Action Item 16:

Election of Board Officers:

Reverend McFarland presented three proposals that rotate the office of president. He further stated that the procedure that is being used now, it is more than likely that the office of president will not rotate according to race. Each proposal guaranteed each board member an opportunity to serve as president of the Monroe City School Board.

Proposal # 1

It was moved by Reverend McFarland, seconded by Mrs. Shelling, that the Board adopt Proposal # 1. The motion failed on a vote of five to two. Mrs. Shelling and Reverend McFarland voting in favor of the motion.

Proposal # 2

It was moved by Reverend McFarland, seconded by Mrs. Shelling that the Board adopt Proposal # 2. The motion failed on a vote of six to one. Reverend McFarland voted in favor of the motion.

Proposal # 3

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling, seconded by Reverend McFarland, that the Board adopt Proposal # 3. The motion failed on a vote of five to two. Mrs. Shelling and Reverend McFarland voted in favor of the motion.

See addendum for proposals.

Action Items 17A Through 18A & C:

Personnel Changes:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved all personnel changes as recommended by Dr. Cannon.
17A. Extended Sick Leave:

Eunhee Choi, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Fifth Grade
Effective: August 14 ­ October 17, 2003

17B Certified Resignations:

Virginia Rutherford, Berg Jones School
Position: Fourth Grade
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 14, 2003

Cynthia Ragan, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Pre-K Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: June 30, 2003

Alberta Richardson, Lincoln School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 13, 2003

Nancy Absher, Lee Junior High School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 13, 2003

Jesse Burnette, Carroll High School
Position: Social Studies
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 13, 2003

17C Certified Applicants ­ One Year Only: - Effective: August 14, 2003

Jimmy Owens, Berg Jones School
Position: Special Education
Replacing: Virginia Ruthereford

Cynthia Cooper, Carver School
Position: Fifth Grade Teacher
Replacing: Jimmy Owens

Miranda Lynn Givens, Carver School
Position: Second Grade Teacher
Replacing: Deborah Fortner
Sylvia E. Brass, Martin Luther King School
Position: Classroom Teacher
Replacing: Alfred Martin
Effective: September 2, 2003

Gina Kennedy, Neville High School
Position: Home Economics
Replacing: Sallie Sutherland

Courtney Cole, Wossman High School
Position: Resource Teacher
Replacing: Mary Sue Nichols

Jana Chowns, Alternative Center
Position: GOAL Teacher
Replacing: Cindy Scott

18A Classified Resignations:

Tammy Young, Cypress Point University School
Position: Title I Tutor
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 14, 2003

Betty Woods, Jefferson Upper Elementary School
Position: Food Technician
Reason; Not listed
Effective: August 18, 2003

Charlotte Russ, Madison James Foster School
Position: Special Education Aide
Reason; Not listed
Effective: August 14, 2003

Tisa Elzie, Alternative Center
Position: Tutor
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 15, 2003

Wesley Jones, Transportation Department
Position: Bus Attendant
Reason: Not listed
Effective: August 18, 2003

18C ­ Classified Applicants ­ One Year Only ­ Effective: August 14, 2003:

Glenda Fluellen, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Theodis Tarver

LaMar Gene, Carroll Junior High School
Position: Special Education Aide
Replacing: Lillie Hunter

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 18B ­ Change in Employment Status:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the following changes in classified employment status, effective August 14, 2003.
Katherine Ambrose, Sallie Humble School
Position: Interpreter
From: Contract Services
To: Regular Employment

Christie Middleton, Sallie Humble School
Position: Interpreter
From: Contracted Services
To: Regular Employment

Melodie Leporati, Lee Junior High School
Position: Translator
From: Contracted Services
To: Regular Employment

Charlene Adkins, Neville High School
Position: Interpreter
From: Contracted Services
To: Regular Employment

Kimberly N. Evans, Neville High School
Position: Interpreter
From: Contracted Services
To: Regular Employment

Tammy Ramsey, Neville High School
Position: Interpreter
From: Contracted Services
To: Regular Employment
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.


Action Item 81D

Executive Session:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board went into executive session at 6:30 p.m., for a period of time not to exceed ten minutes, to discuss the settlement negotiations in Henry Walker ­vs- Monroe City School Board, 3:02 CV1110 (USDC Western District of Louisiana). The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

The Board reconvened at 6:40 p.m. with no action taken.

Report Item 19

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements.

ÿ The Personnel Committee will meet on Thursday, September 4th at 12:30 p.m. ­ Central Office.
ÿ The administration will advertise for the position of MIS Manager in out-of-town newspapers for ten days.

ÿ Monroe City Schools Title I & IV Image Experience Group - "A Chance of Choice"
A Kick-Off Event on Thursday, September 4th at Martin Luther King School at 6:30 P.M..

Action Item 20:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adjourned at 6:45 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.



Mr. Jessie Handy, President

George D. Cannon, Ed.D., Superintendent