The Monroe City School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 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 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 Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek

Superintendent, Administrative Staff, and Board Attorney
Dr. James A. Dupree
Ms. Edith Douzart
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mamie William
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the board adopted the agenda with the following changes/additions as presented by the Superintendent:

Action Item 10A - To adopt all parts of the 2005-06 Consolidated Budget with the exception of all Title Federal Budgets.

Action Item 10:C - To add legal language to the 2005-06 District Property and Casualty Insurance Renewals/Changes as prepared by Attorney Lawrence.

Addition: 10:D - To extend the contract with Johnson Control Energy Management for one year only.

Addition: Human Resources Agenda - Item 11:H (Change in employment status)

Donald Robinson is requesting that his official job position, during his most recent period of employment at Sherrouse Alternative School, be changed from Elementary School Principal to Secondary School Principal, provided that effecting the change will be of no economic or other legal consequences to the Monroe City School District.

Action Item 6 and 7

Adoption of the Minutes - May 31 and June 7, 2005

On a motion by Mr. Cain, that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adopted the May 31, 2005 minutes as printed and the June 7, 2005 minutes as corrected. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 8

The President's Reports and Announcements:

The President thanked the administrative staff, support staff, news media, parents and students. President Handy wished everyone a safe Fourth of July.

Action Item 9

Actions from the Superintendent

Item 9A: School Board Meeting Schedule

Dr. Dupree presented the 2005-2006 School Board Meeting Schedule.

Board members discussed and made changes to the proposed schedule.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the board approved the 2005-2006 School Board Meeting Schedule as modified. (See addendum for revised schedule).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 9B: Second Reading of Policies

1.) Mandatory School Uniforms
2.) School Choice Policy
3.) Private Agency Access to Students Policy

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the board accepted the second reading of the above policies. Action will take place at the next scheduled board meeting.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.



Action Item 10

Chief Financial Officer

Action A - Resolution to accept the 2005-2006 Consolidated Budget

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the 2005-2006 Consolidated Budget excluding all Title Federal Budgets as recommended by the Superintendent.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action B - Awarding of Bids

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board awarded the Paper and Cleaning and Janitorial Supplies as indicated. (See addendum for spreadsheets).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action C - 2005-2006 District Property and Casualty Insurance Renewals/Changes

Mrs. Dayton briefed the Board on the Insurance Renewals/Changes.

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board authorized the Board President and Superintendent to execute the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement, the proposed Louisiana Schools Self-Insured Trust and all other required acts, provided that said acts are within the bounds of the law and prudent, so that the School District can proceed with obtaining the Optional Coverage(s) to provide indemnity and risk coverage, as submitted by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote. (A copy of the proposal is on file in the Superintendent's Office)

Action D - Johnson Control Energy Management Contract

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board accepted the recommendation of the Superintendent to extend the Johnson Control Energy Management Contract for one year only.

Mrs. Shelling stated that the Board should let the RFP's know at least 4-6 months before the contact with Johnson Control expires so that other sources could be identified.

Mr. Cain offered a friendly amendment to specify a timeframe of six months.

Mrs. Shelling accepted the friendly amendment.

Mrs. Dayton asked that a copy of the contract be given to the MCSB's Insurance Agent.

The motion with amendment carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11

Human Resources Agenda:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Reverend McFarland the Board accepted Items A-H excluding D:2 as presented by the Superintendent.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek, to accept Item D:2 as recommended by the Superintendent.

Mrs. Shelling, Mrs. Smith and Reverend McFarland voiced their concerns on the appointment of the Executive Director of Human Resources which will overlap with the present Director of Human Resources. Concerns were also expressed on the salary of that position.

Mrs. Shelling offered the following friendly amendment: To limit the salary to no more than twenty percent more than what Mrs. Carroll is making in the district in which she is being recruited from.

Mr. Cain asked for clarification on the salary.

Dr. Dupree stated that the salary would be no more than what the present Director of Human Resources would be making which is $78,000.

Mr. Cain rejected the friendly amendment. He further stated that he is putting his trust in the Superintendent and believes that he will do what is best for the district financially and otherwise.

Public Discussion and Comments:

Ms. Gloria Walker and Ms. Emma West addressed the Board on Agenda Item D:2

Roll call vote:

Reverend McFarland - nay
Mrs. Dayton - yea
Mrs. Shelling - nay
Mr. Cain - yea
Mr. Traweek - yea
Mrs. Smith - nay
Mr. Handy - yea

The motion passed four to three.

Discussion/Action Item 12

Mr. Cain briefed the Board on a bill introduced by the Democrats in both chambers of
Congress. This bill would provide 3.4 billion in additional funding to improve the quality of teaching in the nation's schools.

Mr. Cain asked that the resolution be sent to the entire Congressional Delegation and various School Boards.

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved a resolution to support the Bill as presented by Mr. Cain.

The motion carried on a vote of six to one. Mrs. Shelling abstained.

Item 13

Superintendent's Announcements:

Dr. Dupree briefed the Board on the following:

Central Office Vacation Schedule

Conclusion of Summer School for promotion
Junior High - June 29, 2005
Senior High - July 1, 2005
Elementary - July 11, 2005

LEAP/GEE re-test
June 28 - July 1, 2005

Mr. Handy, Dr. Dupree, Mr. and Mrs. Shelling, Ms. Judy Parker and Ms. Margie Godwin were in Baton Rouge on June 15, 2005 as the Monroe City School System was recognized for having an outstanding distinguished business partner. Mr. Ruane, a New York Wall Street Businessman has provided over a million dollars in the last few years to our system.

Department of Justice Visit:

Dr. Dupree, Mr. Handy and Attorney Lawrence visited the U. S. Department of Justice and met with Attorney Javier Guzman to discuss the re-zoning plan.

Mrs. Shelling, Mrs. Smith and Reverend McFarland voiced their concerns with the visit to the Department of Justice.

Mrs. Shelling asked Dr. Dupree and Attorney Lawrence to provide a copy of the letter to the plaintiffs to each Board Member.

Ms. Benya Marshall, a plaintiff, addressed the Board on the visit to the Department of Justice. She also stated that a meeting has been scheduled with Attorney Lawrence on June 29, 2005 to discuss her concerns.

Mrs. Shelling request that herself, Mrs. Smith, Reverend McFarland, Dr. Dupree and Attorney Lawrence schedule a trip to Washington.

Mr. Traweek asked that the questions regarding transportation be presented to an unbiased legal observer, namely John Guice. If nothing is resolved, a request can be submitted to the Attorney General.

Mrs. Shelling stated that the legal observer should not have any ties with the system.

Mrs. Shelling and Mr. Cain agreed that Bob Hammonds of Hammonds and Sills would suffice.

Mrs. Shelling left the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Public Comment on Non Agenda Items:

Mrs. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on the Dyslexia Program. A meeting will be scheduled with the Superintendent and Ms. Walker to address this issue.

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board adjourned at 7:48 p.m. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

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