The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at 6 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
Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton
Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
Dr. Daphene Singleton
Mrs. Vickie Irvin
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mrs. Edith Lowe-Douzart
Ms. Mai Bui
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Dr. Linda Heard, Education Opportunity Center., Inc, administrators, parents, citizens, and the
news media were in attendance.

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda and Addendum:

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda and the addendum as presented with the deletion of agenda item 7A: Discussion of the Executive Square Office Building. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 6:

The President's Report and Announcements:

President Handy thanked the administrative staff, school faculty and students, parents, and the news media for their presence at tonight's board meeting. He pledged to continue to represent the Monroe City School System in the best interest of the students as well as the administration.

Action Item 7:

Resolution # 7B-1: Other Unanticipated Items

Memorandums of Understanding with Education Opportunity Center:

Dr. Dupree briefed the Board on his conservation with Dr. Linda Heard prior to presenting her. Dr. Dupree stated that, during his conference with Dr. Heard, they discussed other systems that have been successful in using Dr. Heard to write their grants.

Dr. Linda Heard briefed the Board on her successful record in writing grants in Louisiana and other states. She also stated that she has won approximately $60 million dollars for school districts in the past three years.

Dr. Heard stated that, if the Monroe City School System voted to use her professional services to write two grants, (1) Gear Up Grant and (2) Safe Schools Healthy Students Grant, she will write on a "No Fee Until You Win" agreement.

The Board discussed the presentation by Dr. Heard and took the following action:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board authorized the Superintendent to sign two Memorandums of Understanding with Education Opportunity Center, Inc., to acquire the services of Dr. Linda Heard to write and submit grant applications, on a commission-upon-award-only basis, for Safe Schools Healthy Students Funds and Gear Up Funds. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Resolution #7B-2: Other Unanticipated Items

Permission to Advertise for Bids:

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for bids for the HVAC system at Wossman High School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote

Action Items A - C Human Resources Department:

Action Item 8 A: Reading First Appointments New - One Year Only:

Mrs. Bobbie Hamilton presented the applicants for the Reading First Positions.

Mrs. Shelling asked Mrs. Hamilton to inform the Board on the process that was used in selecting the applicants.

Mrs. Hamilton stated that there were nine positions. The Interviewing Committee interviewed all applicants and recommended six positions to be filled within the system and three positions to be filled with applicants outside of the school district.

Mrs. Shelling asked if there were applicants within the system who met the requirements for the three positions and if we did not hire them what kind of message we are sending to our employees.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board employed the reading first applicants, one year only, as presented by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Dupree. The motion carried six to one. Mrs. Shelling opposed.

Mrs. Shelling, "I oppose for the reason that I have previously stated."

Action Item 8B: Professional Resignations and Retirements - Classified

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved all classified resignations and retirements as presented by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Dupree. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 8C: Professional Retirements - Certified:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved all certified retirements as presented by Mrs. Hamilton and recommended by Dr. Dupree. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 8D: Resolution to Create 1.0 FTE Accountant Position to be funded through General Funds.

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the resolution to create a 1.0 FTE Accountant position to be funded through General Fund - a twelve month position. The position will not be advertised until it is brought to the Personnel Committee to establish requirements and salary. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Report Item 9:

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items.
No comments were made.

Report Item 10:

Superintendent's Announcements.

The Superintendent stated that no report will be given at this time. However, a revised listing of E-Mail accounts of board members will be put in place prior to the next update. Copies of all prior updates will be forwarded to those board members who did not receive them.


Action Item 11:

Adjournment:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adjourned at 7:16 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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