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The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, August 9, 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 Rodney McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited in unison.
Item 4: Roll Call
Members Present
Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Superintendent, Administrative Staff and Board Attorney
Dr. James A. Dupree
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Ms. Edith Douzart
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Theresa Foreman
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence
Action Item 5:
Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adopted the
agenda with the following changes as presented by the Superintendent:
Correction: Agenda Item 10: A-E (Human Resources Agenda)
Addition: Agenda Item 12:A (Public Discussion and Comments)
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Item 6
The President’s Reports and Announcements
The President thanked the administrators, support staff, media, teachers,
parents, citizens and Officer Cherry for their attendance.
President Handy informed the public that forms are being provided for persons
that would like to address Agenda Items and Non-Agenda Items. Only persons with
completed forms will be recognized.
Action Item 7
Actions from the Superintendent
Dr. Dupree announced that the Gear-Up Grant has been awarded in the amount of
$5,000,000. This six year grant has a middle/junior high school focus that will
track and provide resources and training in college prep courses for Martin
Luther King, Jr. Middle and Carroll Junior High students. A press release is
forthcoming.
Item 7A: School Performance
Mrs. Theresa Foreman briefed the board on School Performance and Accountability.
On Wednesday, August 3, 2005 the Department of Education released the School
Performance Scores for schools being identified in School Improvement Levels 2
and above. Four Monroe City Schools (Lincoln Elementary, Carroll Jr. High,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle and Sherrouse) have been identified as being in
School Improvement levels 2 and 3. (See addendum for full report)
Mrs. Foreman stated that the District will be required to exercise the School
Choice Policy. The District has to do its best to offer a choice for students at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle and Carroll Junior High. Sherrouse is already a
school of choice. An action plan has been drafted by the administration and all
requests will be handled through the Office of Student Support Services.
Board Discussion
Mr. Traweek requested that J. S. Clark Magnet School be listed as a choice for
6th graders.
Mrs. Foreman stated that she would add J. S. Clark to the list.
Mrs. Shelling asked if transportation would be provided for students exercising
the Choice Plan.
Mrs. Foreman stated that the District is obligated to provide transportation to
students that exercise the Choice Plan until they have completed the highest
grade that particular school offers. If the student transfers to another school
then transportation would be their responsibility.
Mrs. Shelling asked if the students from Barkdull Faulk that were zoned for Lee
Junior High, and rezoned to Carroll Jr., hurt that school's scores.
Mrs. Foreman stated that with the help of Mr. Johnson and JPAMS she could
compile that data.
Mrs. Shelling stated that Sherrouse is not a school of choice, it is a
placement. Mrs. Shelling asked Mrs. Foreman if the District told the State
Department of Education that Sherrouse is a placement.
Mrs. Foreman stated that she was unsure because she does not do student
placement.
Mrs. Smith asked Mrs. Blue what the student/teacher ratio is at her school.
Mrs. Blue stated that the low is 28-1 and the high is 30-1.
Mrs. Smith stated that learning can't be improved with 30 students in a class.
She further stated that she would bring to the Board a motion for additional
staffing if needed.
Dr. Dupree stated that some classes are well below 30-1 and that money awarded
through the Gear-Up Grant will bring in resources to the middle/junior high
schools.
Mr. Traweek asked if additional staff would be provided at Lee since the
enrollment would be up at that school.
Dr. Dupree stated that staffing at Lee is being monitored.
Dr. Turpin stated that the administration will be looking at specific areas such
as master schedules, possible changes from seven to six periods, increasing the
number of minutes in core content areas, implementing the Comprehensive
Curriculum and analyzing individual student data.
Dr. Dupree stated that in November a report was given to the Board identifying
schools that would possibly be in School Improvement status. Those listed
schools previously had a School Improvement Plan and now an enhanced analysis is
needed to get those schools to the level that is desired.
Mrs. Shelling asked if any other schools have been identified as possibly being
at-risk.
Dr. Turpin stated that two of the high schools may be at-risk.
Rev. McFarland stated that he is concerned with the scores at Carroll Junior
High because it is a Magnet School.
Mrs. Dayton asked if the District could partner with another system (Ouachita
Parish) to offer a choice to our students.
Dr. Dupree stated that we could not cross district lines.
Mrs. Blue thanked the Board for their support. She further stated that her
school was the only middle school that made improvement this year; they just
didn't make enough to reach the sixty percent point. Mrs. Blue also thanked her
staff for working hard with the students that they receive.
Public Comments
Ms. Vivian Blow addressed the Board on Carroll Junior and Senior High Magnet
Program.
Ms. Gloria Carter-Hayes addressed the Board on nutrition and exercise programs
for students.
Ms. Melissa Sampson addressed the Board on the School Choice Plan.
Action Item 8
Adoption of 2005-2006 Title Budgets
Board Discussion
Mrs. Dayton asked Ms. Douzart if there were any raises other than the normal
step increase in the Title Budgets.
Ms. Douzart stated that there were none.
Mrs. Dayton asked if anyone was on a different pay scale other than the approved
Monroe City District salary schedule.
Ms. Douzart stated that all salaries paid through Title funds follow the same
pay scale as regular employees. Ms. Douzart further stated that she is unaware
of any differential payment for employees paid through Title funds.
Dr. Dupree stated the system will modify the way Title Budgets are developed
next year. He further stated that an advisory council will be put in place with
assistance from the community.
On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board
approved the 2005-2006 Title Budgets as recommended by the Superintendent.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 9
Action Item 9:A ( Permission to advertise for bids for surplus sale)
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board granted
permission to advertise for bids for surplus sale as recommended by the
Superintendent.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 9:B (Permission for advertisement of request for proposal for
playground equipment)
Public Comment
Mr. Joel Minter addressed the Board on Action Item 9:B
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board granted
permission to advertise for proposal for playground equipment as recommended by
the Superintendent.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Discussion/Action Item 9C
2005-2006 Certificated pay raise requirement from MFP growth
Board Discussion
Mr. Cain asked if pay raises could be given to teachers with advanced degrees
and significant tenure as opposed to giving a pay raise across the board.
Mrs. Shelling asked if the Board has an option as to how the funds are
distributed.
Mrs. Flowers stated that it is at the discretion of the Board to distribute the
funds as needed.
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek and Mrs. Shelling, the
Board approved a resolution to instruct the administration to research and bring
to the Board a recommendation for possible redistribution of MFP funds.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10
Human Resources Agenda
Public Comment
Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on the procedures for hiring employees.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board
adopted the Human Resources Agenda Items A-E as recommended by the
Superintendent and presented by Mrs. Carroll.
Discussion/Action Item 11
Superintendent's Evaluation Committee
Mrs. Dayton briefed the Board on the Superintendent's evaluation document. The
rough draft of the document has been completed and will be finalized once the
recommended changes have been made. The issue for resolve is the process by
which the final score will be averaged. After that process is determined, the
Board will complete the evaluation. At the next regular School Board meeting,
the Board will convene into executive session to discuss the results of the
evaluation.
On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board
adopted the Superintendent's evaluation document as presented.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 12
Superintendent’s Announcements
System-wide Back-to-School Rally - August 12, 2005 - Monroe Civic Center
The facility site visit and the Public Relations Committee Meeting scheduled for
August 10, 2005 has been cancelled.
Action Item 12:A
Public Discussion and Comments
No comments were made.
Action Item 13
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the meeting
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr.
Jessie L. Handy, President
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent
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