The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 15, 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.

Agenda Item 4: Roll Call

Members Present:

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

Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith was involved in a car accident today, she will not be in attendance at tonight's meeting.

Superintendent, Administrative Staff, and Board Attorney:

Dr. James A. Dupree
Mr. Julian Gray
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Ms. Mai Bui
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

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

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda with the deletion of Item J - Request to Rescind Letter of Retirement - Human Resources Department. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Action Item 6:

Adoption of the Minutes of January 11 & 25, 2005:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the minutes of January 11 & 25, 2005. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 7:

The President's Report and Announcements:

The President thanked the administrations, school employees, parents, citizens, and the news media for attendance. President Handy stated that Mrs. Smith is convalescing at home after being involved in a car accident.

Mrs. Shelling stated, that at the March 1st board meeting, she will make a report to the Board on the National School Boards Federal Relations Network 32nd Annual Conference that was held in Washington, D.C., January 30 through February 2, 2005.

Report Item 8:

Report from the Superintendent:

No report was given by the Superintendent.

Agenda Item 9:

Public Discussion and Comments on Agenda Items:

No public comments were made on agenda items.

Action Item 10:

Chief Financial Officer:

Action Item 10A - Awarding of School Food Services Bid:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board awarded the school food service bid to SYSCO Food Services of Jackson, MS, in the amount of $616,287.84, as indicated on the tabulation chart. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation chart.)

Action Item 10B - Resolution to award the E-Rate Bid:
Mrs. Flowers presented the spread sheet for the E-Rate bid. She also informed the Board and public of the process that was used.

The Board discussed the presentation that was given by Mrs. Flowers. Attorney Lawrence gave clarity to issues discussed. Questions were also raised by vendors.

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board recessed this agenda item until 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 16th, to secure additional information. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 10C - Resolution to Approve The Engagement of Luffey, Huffman, and Monroe Auditing Firm to Perform System's Audit:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted a resolution to approve the engagement of Luffey, Huffman, and Monroe Auditing Firm to perform the System's audit for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for engagement letter.)

Action Item 11 - INTERIM DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board approved all personnel changes as presented in agenda items A-I as prepared by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Dupree. The motion carried on a unanimous vote

Action Item K - Resolution to Create 1.0 FTE Accelerated Reading Coordinator Position:

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved a resolution to create 1.0 FTE Accelerated Reading Coordinator position to be funded through a private grant (Carmel Hill Fund Partnership). The motion carried on a unanimous vote

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AGENDA - February 15, 2005

A. PROFESSIONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE CERTIFIED
B. PROFESSIONAL RETIREMENTS - CERTIFIED
C. PROFESSIONAL RESIGNATIONS - CERTIFIED
D. CONDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS - CERTIFIED
E. PROFESSIONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE - CLASSIFIED
F. PROFESSIONAL RETIREMENTS - CLASSIFIED
G. PROFESSIONAL RESIGNATIONS - CLASSIIED
H. CONDIDIONAL PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS - CLASSIFIED
I. PROFESSIONAL CHANGE IN STATUS - CLASSIFIED

Necrology
Betty Blade - Active teacher at Lincoln Elementary School
Daisy Lee Page - Active food technician at Martin Luther King Middle School

Agenda Item 12: PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS

Ms. Sandie Lollie, Mrs. Gloria Walker, and Mr. Sullivan D. Harris, addressed the Board

Report Item 13:

The Superintendent's Announcements:

The Superintendent made the following announcements:

The Superintendent will be in Baton Rouge on Thursday, February 17th attend the
BESE Full Board meeting and a reception at the Governor's Mansion.

The School System will be closed on Monday, February 21st in observance of
Presidents' Day

The LSBA Convention will be held in Alexandria, LA on March 3-5, 2005.

Other: Reverend McFarland requested that "Collective Bargaining" be placed on the board agenda in March as a discussion item.

The President recessed the board meeting at 7:15 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2005.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 5:00 P. M.

The Board reconvened at 5:15 p.m. with the President calling the board meeting to order. The President stated that the delay in calling the meeting to order was because Mr. Traweek called and stated that he will be a few minutes late.

Board Members Present:

Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mrs. Brenda M. Shelling
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Mrs. Smith - ill
Reverend McFarland - out of town and could not be back for 5:00 p.m.

Action Item 10B

Resolution to Award the E-Rate Bid:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board awarded the E-Rate bid as indicated on the tabulation sheet. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for tabulation sheet.)

The Superintendent stated that the next will be scheduled to sign the contract. The Board requested a copy of the signed contract.

Action Item 14:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adjourned at 5:20 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mr. Jessie L. Handy, President                                                             
James A. Dupree Ed.D., Superintendent