The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 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.

Members Present:

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


Administrative Staff:

Mr. Julian Gray
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Miss Maria Maggio
Dr. LaVaragne Gunn-Ford
Ms. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Ms. Vickie Irwin
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent-elect, Monroe City School System, Administrators, teachers, parents, citizens, and the news media were in attendance.

Action Item 4:

Adoption of the Agenda:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda with the following changes:

Delete agenda item 8: Friends of Georgia Tucker Elementary School - to be placed on September 14th agenda.

Delete agenda items 12A through 13E - all personnel items

Additions:

Action Item 5: Board Minutes of August 21 A&B and 24, 2004
Action Item 6A: Dr. George D. Cannon's Retirement
Action: Item 6B: Dr. James A. Dupree's Employment Contract
Action Item 11A: Request for Student Transfer
Action Item 13F: Executive Session: Pending litigation

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Board Minutes of August 2, 16, 21 A&B and 24, 2004:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the board minutes of August 2, 16, 21 A&B, and 24, 2004. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

President Handy thanked the administrators, central office staff, principals, teachers, clerical staff, representatives from professional organizations, parents, concerned citizens of public education, and the news media for their attendance at the board meeting.

Mr. Cain, Chairman of the Finance Committee, briefed the Board on the Finance Committee's meeting that was held on Monday, August 30th at 5:50 p.m. Mr. Cain reported on the 2004-2005 MFP funding, student count and the impact the student count will have on the MFP funding. During the discussion of the student count, Mr. Cain stated that the student enrollment as of August 30th is down from last year. He compared September 2, 2003 student count with the student count as of August 30, 2004.

Mrs. Smith stated that a more accurate count will be given after Labor Day.

Action Item 6A:

The Retirement of Dr. George D. Cannon, Superintendent of the Monroe City School System:

Mr. Lawrence presented the retirement memorandum of understanding on behalf of Dr. George D. Cannon, Superintendent, Monroe City Schools, at midnight following the close of business on September 3, 2004.

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board accepted the retirement of Dr. George D. Cannon, Superintendent, Monroe City Schools, effective at midnight following the close of Business on September 3, 2004. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6B:

The Employment Contract between Dr. James A. Dupree and the Monroe City School Board:

Attorney Lawrence presented the Board with a draft copy of the employment contract between Dr. James A. Dupree and the Monroe City School Board.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, to accept the employment contract as presented by Mr. Lawrence.

During the discussion of the contract, board members asked for clarification on some items in the contract. Mr. Cain asked for a fifteen minute recess to give him time to go over some items in the contract where figures are involved.

The Board took a break at 6:55 p.m., returned at 7:10 p.m. and continued the discussion.

The motion as amended:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved the employment contract of Dr. James A. Dupree, as presented by Mr. Lawrence with the following additions: effective September 21, 2004.

 Salary, at a per diem rate, payable to Dr. Dupree for each day that he performs work
within the school district, between the dates of September 4, 2004 and September 20, 2004, both dates inclusive.

 An interim housing expense payment of $5,000.00, to cover the costs associated with
obtaining temporary housing as Dr. Dupree undergoes the transition of moving to
Monroe and securing permanent housing.

Mr. Traweek offered the following friendly amendment: Dr. Dupree's base salary be as advertised $125,000.00 and up the performance amount. Mrs. Dayton stated that she agrees with Mr. Traweek's amendment. She further stated that her comments have noting to do with Dr. Dupree as superintendent. The amount advertised as a base salary should remain.

Mrs. Smith stated that the advertisement read not lest than $125,000.00.

Mrs. Shelling did not accept the friendly amendment. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

President Handy congratulated Dr. Dupree and invited Dr. Dupree to address the Board.

Dr. Dupree thanked the Board for their vote of confidence. He further stated that he will work very hard for the students of the district. His focus will be on the students and their achievements. He also stated that he has one goal and that is student performance. Dr. Dupree further stated that he will be meeting with students, parents, business leaders, and community leaders. However, his first meetings will be held on tomorrow with the central office administrators.

Agenda Item 11A: Taken out of sequence to follow agenda item 6B

Request for Student Transfer:

Due to the absence of Mrs. Yolanda Jewitt, parent at Lexington Elementary School, Mr. Gray read a letter on her behalf, requesting that her son, Deromany Jewitt, be allowed to attend school out of his school zone. Mrs. Jewitt is requesting that her son be allowed to attend school at Minnie Ruffin Elementary School.

The Board directed Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Gray to look into this request and report back to the Board.

Action Item 7:

Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of an Anticipation Certificate: On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of an anticipation certificate, series 2004 of the Monroe City School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $4,000,000.00, plus interest cost and fees. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for resolution).

Discussion Item 9:

Substitute Teacher Locator Program: Mrs. Lynn Hodge, President of the Principal's Association, addressed the Board on behalf of the Association, requesting that the Substitute Teacher Locator Program be placed back in the Central Office. She further stated that it requires a lot of time on behalf of the principals in calling substitutes for their schools.

The request of the Principal's Association will be taken under advertisement. After a decision has been made, the principals will be notified.

Action Item 10:

Awarding of Bids:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the following bids as indicated.

A. School Food Service bid awarded to SYSCO Food Services of Jackson, MS, in the amount of $606,381.56. See addendum for tabulation sheet.
B. School Food Service Paper and Cleaning Supplies bid awarded as indicated on the tabulation sheets. See addendum for tabulation sheets.

C. Janitorial Supplies bid be awarded as indicated on the tabulation sheets. See addendum for tabulation sheets.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11:

Proposed Schedule of Board Meetings:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the board meeting schedule as presented subject to necessary changes as needed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 11B:

Request to Address the Board by Mr. & Mrs. Harold McClinton:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board added to the agenda a request from Mr. & Mrs. Harold McClinton to address the Board in reference to their child.

Mrs. McClinton submitted to each board member a documents stating why they wanted to address the Board.

Mr. Lawrence asked the McClintons if they wanted to address the Board in open meeting or executive session. They replied that they wanted to meet in executive session.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board went into executive session at 7:42 p.m. for a period of time not to exceed ten minutes, to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Harold McClinton in reference to their request.

The Board reconvened into open meeting at 8:55 p.m. and continued with the agenda.

Action Item 13F:

Executive Session:

Mr. Lawrence stated that he is requesting that the Board go into executive session to discuss pending litigation in reference to Dr. Louise Dunbar and Attorney Pamela R. Jones, for a period of time not to exceed thirty minutes.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board went into executive session at 9:09 p.m. to discuss pending litigation in reference to Dr. Louise Dunbar and Attorney Pamela R. Jones for a period of time not to exceed thirty minutes.
The Board reconvened at 9:45 p.m. and continued with the agenda.

Report Item 14:

The Superintendent's Report and Announcements:

Mr. Gray extended an invitation to the Board and public to a retirement reception for Dr. George D. Cannon, Thursday, September 2nd at the Monroe Civic Center in the Fort Miro Conference Room, from 5:30 until. He announced that the reception was sponsored by the City of Monroe and by Dr. Cannon's friends and colleagues

Mr. Traweek stated that the Board will present Dr. Cannon with a retirement plaque.

Other:

Mrs. Smith announced that Wossman High School will hold a welcome celebration for Mr. Sam Moore, principal at Wossman High School, Thursday, September 9th at 6 p.m. The public is invited.

Action item 15:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adjourned at 9:50 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             

Mr. Julian Gray, Sr., Assistant Superintendent