The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 11, 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
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda M. Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Superintendent, Administrative Staff, and Board Attorney:

Dr. James A. Dupree
Mr. Julian Gray
Miss Maria Maggio
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
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 Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 6:

Adoption of the Minutes of December 14, 2004:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board adopted the Minutes of December 14, 2004. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 7:

The Election of Board Officers for 2005:

Dr. Dupree declared the positions of president and vice president of the Monroe City School Board vacant. Dr. Dupree called for nominations for the position of president.

President of the Board for 2005:

Mr. Traweek nominated Mr. Handy for President; Mrs. Dayton seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, the vote was recorded five in favor. Mrs. Shelling opposed and Mr. Handy recused himself.

Vice President of the Board for 2005:

Mr. Traweek nominated Mrs. Stephanie Smith for Vice President; Mrs. Shelling seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, the vote was recorded six to one. Mrs. Smith recused herself.


Dr. Dupree congratulated Mr. Handy and Mrs. Smith.

Report Item 8:

The President’s Report and Announcements:

Mr. Handy thanked the Board for their vote of confidence and pledged to continue to represent the Board and the Monroe City School System in carrying out the Board’s business. He also thanked the central office administration and staff, schools and their staff, parents, and citizens for their support.

Mrs. Smith thanked her fellow board members for their vote of confidence and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Report Item 9:

The Report of the Superintendent:


Recognition: 9A

Dr. Dupree congratulated Mrs. Lynn Hodge, principal of Lexington School and the Lexington School staff for receiving the national No Child Left Behind award for closing the gap in test scores. The Superintendent presented Mrs. Hodge who briefed the Board on the school accomplishments.

Mrs. Hodge accepted the award and gave full credit to the teachers and staff at Lexington Elementary School. She further stated that it was a total team effort in achieving this goal.

The National Title I Conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, January 29 through Tuesday, February 1, 2005. Dr. Dupree will be attending the awards breakfast on Tuesday, February 1, 2005.

Action: 9B

Annual Audit Report:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland and Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the Annual Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, as presented by Mr. Francis Huffman of Luffey, Huffman & Monroe. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. A copy of the audit report is on file in the Superintendent’s office.

Item 10:

Public Discussion and Comments on Agenda Items:

No discussion was held on agenda items.


Action Item 11:

Chief Financial Officer - Awarding of Bid:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board awarded the Science Equipment and Supplies bid for Neville High School as indicated on the bid chart. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (See addendum for bid chart).

Mrs. Flowers stated that Mrs. Stacey Haynie, Chief Accountant, will be leaving the District, effective January 31, 2005.

Dr. Dupree, Mrs. Flowers, and the Board wished Mrs. Haynie complete success in her future endeavors.

Action Item 12:

Action Items A - G:

Interim Director - Human Resources Department:

On a motion by Reverend McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved all personnel items listed A through G as presented by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Dupree.

Item 13:

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items:

Ms. Sandie Lollie, MFT/SE President, addressed the Board as it relates to Collective Bargaining. She stated that the employees in the system should have the right to cast their vote for or against Collective Bargaining.

Addition to the Agenda:

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Reverend McFarland, the Board added to the agenda Mrs. Shelling’s travel expenses to Washington, D. C., January 30 through February 2, 2005. The purpose of this travel is to attend the NSBA - FRN Network Conference. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the expenses of Mrs. Brenda Shelling to Washington, D. C. to attend the NSBA - FRN Network Conference, January 30 through February 2, 2005. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.


Report 14:

The Superintendent's Announcements:

Dr. Dupree made the following announcements:

On Monday, January 17th, the System will be closed in observance of Martin Luther
King Junior Holiday.

The BESE Full Board will be meeting on Thursday, January 20th at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Dupree will be in attendance.

The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents will hold their January meeting at LSU in Baton Rouge, January 20-21, 2005. Dr. Dupree will be in attendance.

Dr. Dupree will be attending the National Title I Conference Award's Breakfast, Tuesday, February 1st in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Dupree gave an update on the School Support Team Visits. The team has made seven school visits. On Thursday, the team will visit Clark, Barkdull Faulk and Clara Hall Elementary Schools.

The Facilities and Finance Committees will meet on Monday, January 24, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the Central Office.

Action Item 15:

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

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