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The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Thursday, July 28, 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 Billy Caldwell. 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
Member Absent
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Superintendent, Administrative Staff and Board Attorney
Dr. James A. Dupree
Ms. Edith Douzart
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Andrew Hill
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Ms. Mamie Williams
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence
Action Item 5:
Adoption of the Agenda and Addendums
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the
agenda and addendums with the following changes as presented by the
Superintendent:
Deletion: Action Item 9:B - (Adoption of the 2005-2006 Title Budgets) This item
will be added to the next regular scheduled board meeting.
Addition: Resolution 10:B (Arbitrage Compliance)
Resolution 10:C (Advertise for bids for one special education bus)
Resolution 10:D (Proposal for student accident insurance)
Resolution 10:E (Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of anticipated
certificate, series 2005)
Change: Action Item 11:A-G - (Human Resources Agenda)
Addition: Action Item 11: C, D, F - (Addendum - Human Resources Agenda)
Mrs. Shelling stated that the District is incorrectly listed as Monroe
Independent School District on the Arbitrage Agreement. The District is not an
Independent School District and the correction needs to be made on the contract.
Mrs. Shelling further stated she would like to have addendums at least
twenty-four hours prior to the Board meeting.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 6
Adoption of the Minutes - June 28, 2005
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the
June 28, 2005 minutes as printed.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Item 7
The President's Report and Announcements:
The President thanked the administrators, support staff, news media, teachers,
parents, students and citizens 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 8
Actions from the Superintendent
Item 8A: Introduction of new Administrators
Superintendent Dupree introduced Mrs. Betty Carroll, Executive Director of Human
Resources and Dr. Tammye Turpin, Chief Academic Supervisor.
Mrs. Carroll and Dr. Turpin thanked the Board for giving them the opportunity to
work for the Monroe City School System.
Item 8B: Adoption of listed policies
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted
the following policies as recommended by the Superintendent:
1.) Mandatory School Uniforms
2.) School Choice Policy
3.) Private Agency Access to Students Policy
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Item 8:C
Project STEP
Dr. Wilson Campbell (Department Head of Kinesiology at ULM) addressed the Board
on the Carol M. White (PEP) grant that was awarded by the United States
Department of Education. The three year grant (approximately $900,000) is geared
toward physical education for K-6 students. One of the strengths of the program
is the integrated curriculum that allows teachers to reinforce the academic
content during physical education.
Dr. Dupree stated that the system diligently seeks outside funding sources to
supplement the District's efforts.
Mrs. Shelling stated that she was pleased that these types of programs are
available
for students.
Agenda Item 9
Monroe City Schools/Louisiana Tech CATALyST IMPACTS Math and Science Grant
Ms. Edith Douzart presented information to the Board on the CATALyST IMPACTS
Math and Science Grant. This partnership with LA Tech, is a three year $177,000
grant designed to prepare middle grade science teachers with the content
knowledge and instructional/assessment skills necessary to positively impact
student achievement. The project focuses on a different science content area
each of the three years as follows: Year 1 - Physical Science, Year 2 - Life
Science, Year 3 - Earth Science. This program is now in year two. (See addendum
for complete report).
Mrs. Nancy Farley, a second year participant in project IMPACT, stated that it
was a wonderful opportunity for her and all the teachers that participated. All
participants were required to complete an intense process during the summer. Ms.
Farley further stated that additional support was offered throughout the year by
the staff at Tech (Mrs. Linda Ramsey and Mrs. Sherry Ferrell) and Ms. Joyce
Tate, Monroe City Schools Science Coordinator.
Action Item 10:A
Awarding of Bids
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board awarded
the Dumpster Service and School Food Service Food Product bids as recommended by
the Superintendent and presented by Mrs. Flowers. (See addendum for spreadsheet)
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:B
Resolution to approve the agreement for Arbitrage Compliance Services
Discussion:
Mrs. Shelling stated that she and Rev. McFarland were out of state and did not
know of any committee meetings.
Mr. Traweek stated that because there wasn't a quorum, the committee meetings
were for information only.
Mrs. Flowers noted that the incorrect name on the Arbitrage Agreement would be
changed from Monroe City Independent School District to Monroe City School
District before the contract is signed.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved
the agreement for Arbitrage Rebate Compliance Services between Monroe City
School District and First Southwest Asset Management as recommended by the
Superintendent and presented by Mrs. Flowers
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:C
Resolution to grant authority to advertise for bids for one Special Education
Bus
On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board granted
authority to advertise for bids for one Special Education bus as recommended by
the Superintendent and presented by Mrs. Flowers.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:D
Resolution to approve the proposal for student accident insurance
Diana White, with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, addressed the
Board on the accident insurance coverage for students. Ms. White stated that the
additional coverage would cover all students for miscellaneous accidents during
school hours, field trips, etc. up to $25,000. (See addendum for proposal)
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board
approved the proposal to obtain additional accident insurance to cover all
Monroe City School students.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:E
Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of anticipated certificate, series
2005
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board
authorized the issuance and sale of an anticipated certificate, series 2005.
(See addendum for resolution)
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 11
Human Resources Agenda and Addendum
Board Discussion:
Mrs. Vickie Dayton asked that an additional column be added to the Human
Resources Agenda to show the funding source(s).
As Chair of the Personnel Committee, Mrs. Shelling requested that future
Personnel Committee Meetings only take place when she is notified.
On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the
Human Resource Agenda Items A-G and addendum as recommended by the
Superintendent and presented by Mrs. Carroll.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action/Discussion Item 12
Public Relations Committee Meeting
Public Comment:
Rev. Billy Caldwell read a statement from the Interfaith Organization in support
of Dr. Dupree and the Board.
Ms. Sandie Lollie and Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on Public Relations.
Discussion:
Mrs. Shelling stated that she did not know that there was a Public Relations
Committee, and that she was also unaware that she was a member of that
committee. Mrs. Shelling further stated that because she was out of state and
did not attend the committee meeting, that she would not address the Public
Relations Report. She also stated that she wanted to hear about real issues such
as: low performing schools (Carroll High, Carroll Jr. and Lincoln), the
Superintendent’s goals for the district, having the school district audited, and
the trip to Washington.
Mr. Cain stated that he did not know that he was the chairperson of the Public
Relations Committee. He further stated that the meeting was called because of
concerns from Board Members, the community, and the media, regarding the
explosiveness of the School Board Meetings.
Mr. Cain briefed the Board on the Public Relations Committee Meeting. The
following concerns and possible solutions were derived from that meeting:
1. Concern: Low security at meetings
Action: Provide police security
2. Concern: Authority/power of Board President to maintain security
Action: Give president authority to use security/police to maintain order
3. Concern: Accountability at meetings
Action: Video tape meetings
4. Concern: Communication problem
Action: Equitably inform Board members about issues and meetings
5. Concern: Equitable Board member input
Action: Facilitate Board discussion on issues before Board action is required
and establish uniform time limits
6. Concern: Improve reactions to various issues and situations
Action: Enlist the assistance of LSBA in training
7. Concern: Lack of consequences for disruptive actions/behavior
Action: Recommend enforcement of consequences
8. Concern: Disrespectful audience behavior
Action: Establish and enforce rules and consequences
9. Concern: Consistency in recognition of Board members
Action: Establish uniform procedures
10. Concern: Consistency in recognition of public input
Action: Establish uniform procedures
11. Concern: Board voting procedures
Action: Implement voting devices
12. Concern: Maintaining order
Action: Parliamentarian for meetings
Mr. Cain stated that these were only suggestions and that the Board should come
together as a whole and come up with a uniform process to address those
concerns. Mr. Cain further stated that since Mrs. Shelling and Rev. McFarland
were not in attendance at the meeting that they should identify concerns that
they may have.
Agenda Item 13
Superintendent's Announcements
Superintendent's Evaluation Committee Meeting - August 4, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. -
old Board Room
August start-up activities:
Instructional and Comprehensive training - August 2-4
Principal's workshop
Back to School Rally - August 12
Comprehensive Training - August 15
Nominees for district level Principal of the Year:
Elementary - Mrs. Lynn Hodge
Middle/Junior High - Mrs. Debbie Blue
High School - Mr. Brent Vidrine
Public Discussion on Non-Agenda Items
Ms. Yolanda Jewitt addressed the Board on her son and his Child Specific Aide.
Action Item 14
Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adjourned
at 8:05 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr.
Jessie L. Handy, President
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent
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