The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at 6:00 p.m. 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 McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Agenda Item 4: Roll Call

Members Present:

Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda M. Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton was absent due to a prior commitment.

Superintendent, Administrative Staff and Board Attorney:

Dr. James A Dupree
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mrs. Vickie Irvin
Mrs. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Julia Staley
Mrs. Mai Bui
Mr. Andrew Hill

Administrators, parents, citizens, and the news media were in attendance.

Action Item 5

Adoption of the Agenda:

The Superintendent recommended that agenda items 11 and 15 be deleted from the agenda due to a request from Mrs. Dayton. These items will be brought to the Board for action at its May 24th board meeting.

Mrs. Shelling and Reverend McFarland asked that agenda item 11 (Rezoning of Carver/Lexington School Students) remain on the agenda so that closure can be brought to this issue. They further stated that there are parents in attendance tonight in reference to this agenda item.

The Board will take action on agenda item 15 (Changing the Life Insurance Program) when this item comes before the Board tonight.

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Reverend McFarland that the Board adopted the agenda as printed.

Roll Call Vote:

Reverend McFarland yea
Mrs. Shelling yea
Mrs. Smith yea
Mr. Traweek nay
Mr. Cain nay
Mr. Handy yea

The motion passed four to two.

Agenda Item 6:

Adoption of the Minutes of March 8, 2005:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board adopted the Minutes of March 8, 2005, as corrected. The motion carried on a unanimous vote on members present.

Report Item 7:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President thanked the administrative staff, school employees, parents, concerned citizens, and the news media for their attendance.

Report Item 8:

Public Discussion and Comments on Agenda Items:

No comments were made.

Report Item 9:

Reports From the Superintendent:

Dr. Dupree gave an update on the following:

A. System Wide Retirement Celebration

ULM Library - Seventh Floor - Banquet Room May 20, 2005 - 11:30 a.m.

B. National School Boards Association Annual Convention

NSBA 65th Annual Convention, San Diego CA Dr. Dupree was one of the Superintendents selected by the NSBA to evaluate the 65th NSBA Convention

Mrs. Shelling and Mr. Handy gave brief overviews of NSBA sessions they attended.

Action Item 10:

Revised School Calendar - Independence Holiday Schedule:

On a motion. by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved approved the revised holiday schedule as:

From: Friday, July 1st and Monday, July 4th

To: Monday, July 4th and Tuesday, July 5th

The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for revised calendar.)

Action Item 11:

Rezoning of Carver/Lexington School Students:

The Superintendent recommended approval of the rezoning of Carver/Lexington School students as presented at the March 8th board meeting.

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Reverend McFarland that the Board reject the Superintendent's request.

The Board continued the discussion on rezoning of Carver/Lexington School Students for the 2005-2006 school year.

The President called for a roll call vote:

Roll Call Vote:

Reverend McFarland yea
Mrs. Shelling yea
Mrs. Smith yea
Mr. Traweek nay
Mr. Cain nay
Mr. Handy nay

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek that the Board approve the Superintendent's recommendation of the rezoning of Carver/Lexington School students.

The President called for a roll call vote:

Mr. Cain yea
Mr. Traweek yea
Mrs. Smith nay
Mrs. Shelling nay
Reverend McFarland nay
Mr. Handy yea

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

Agenda Item 12:

Awarding of Bids and Permission to Advertise for Bids:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board took the following action on the Superintendent's recommendations:

A. The Board awarded Wossman High School HVAC- bid to M&M Mechanical Construction, Inc. in the amount of $290,638.00, as indicated on the spread sheet.

B. The Board authorized the administration to advertise for bids for Milk and Orange Juice, Paper Products, Janitorial Supplies, Instructional Supplies, and Food
Products.

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

Action Item 13:

Workforce Investment Board - State and Federal Incentive Funds:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland and Mr. Cain, the Board approved Workforce Investment Board - Incentive Plan Ouachita Parish LWIA-81 for the Medical Intern Program at Carroll High School. The Incentive Funds in the amount of $45,775.00. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for Medical Intern Program.)

Action Item 14:

Summer School Schedule:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling thaw was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the summer school programs as listed:

Elementary Summer School Schedule
Extended School Year Program (ESYP) - Office of special Education Services
Summer Feeding Program - 2005 - School Food Service Department.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for summer School Schedule.)

Discussion/Action Item 15:

Change in the System’s Life Insurance Program:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board tabled action on the life insurance program. Action will be taken at the next scheduled board meeting.

Action Item 16:

Human Resources Department:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved all personnel items A through H as recommended by The Superintendent.

Report Item 17:

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items:

Mrs. Dorothy Harris Sanders addressed the Board on which school libraries are using the books she authored. She was concerned about the student use of her books in the library.

Mrs. Gloria Walker addressed the Board in reference to the use of the new wing that is under construction at Carver Elementary School.

Report Item 17:

The Superintendent's Announcements:

The Superintendent announced the following tentative dates of Board Committee Meetings and three other items:

May 2nd at 3:00 p.m. Insurance Committee Meeting
May 2nd at 4:00 p.m. Board Policy Committee Meeting
May 10 Facilities Committee Meeting
Board Retreat before June 30th

The closing of the Halfway House across the street from Barkdull Faulk School

An increase in Classified Salary Schedule for the 2005-2006 school year. "We have set aside $300,000 for this classified salary increase."

Action Item 18:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent