The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Carroll High School, 2939 Renwick Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order by the President. Prayer was offered by Rev. McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Item 4: Roll Call

Members Present
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Members Absent
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek


Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James A. Dupree
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mr. Bobby Williams
Mr. Andrew Hill
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Julie Staley
Ms. Mamie Williams
Ms. Edith Douzart
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Dayton to adopt the minutes as printed.

Rev. McFarland asked if the Board was adopting the agenda or the minutes.

Mr. Handy stated that they were adopting the agenda.

Mrs. Shelling withdrew her motion and Mrs. Dayton withdrew her second.

Rev. McFarland asked to add an item to the agenda. He further stated that the agenda must be approved before any items can be added.

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Rev. McFarland to approve the agenda.

It was moved by Rev. McFarland to add to the agenda a 50x50 weight room addition to Wossman High School and to purchase bleachers for Lee Junior High School's soccer field. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Shelling.

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling to add to the agenda a report, discussion and action for ten extended sick leave days for classified employees. The motion was seconded by Rev. McFarland.

Rev. McFarland stated that his motion for the weight room expansion and bleachers is an action item and both will be taken together as one motion.

Attorney Lawrence asked if the two additions to the agenda would be taken together.

Mrs. Shelling stated that her motion was separate from Rev. McFarland's motion.

Mr. Handy stated that since Rev. McFarland's motion was first, his motion would be opened up for discussion.

Rev. McFarland stated that the motion could not be discussed; it must first be added to the agenda. He further stated that their must be a two-third vote to add to the agenda.

Mrs. Shelling moved that the agenda be adopted with the additions. The motion was seconded by Rev. McFarland.

Dr. Dupree asked for clarification on the motions.

Mrs. Shelling stated that two separate motions are on the floor. Motion one is the Wossman High School and Lee Junior High School projects. Motion two is the extended sick leave days for classified employees.

Attorney Lawrence asked if the agenda had been adopted.

Mr. Handy stated that nothing had been voted on because the Board was trying to clarify all additions to the agenda.

Dr. Dupree asked if their would be a discussion.

Rev. McFarland stated that according to Robert's Rules of Order, any addition to the agenda could not be discussed or debated.

Mrs. Smith stated that the agenda must first be approved.

Attorney Lawrence stated that the agenda must be adopted then the additions added.

Mr. Handy called for the adoption of the agenda.

Rev. McFarland stated that according to Robert's Rules of Order, an addition to a printed agenda is by two-thirds votes. He further stated that this can be done at the beginning of the meeting and can not be separated. Rev. McFarland then asked that the Board vote on the motions that were on the floor. He again stated that three of the five members present must be in favor to add items to the agenda.

Rev. McFarland called for the vote on the motion. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Shelling.

Mr. Handy called for the vote on the adoption of the agenda with additions.

Roll Call

In favor: Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Shelling
Opposed: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Handy

The vote was recorded as three in favor and two opposed.

Mrs. Dayton and Mr. Handy stated that they opposed because all board members are not present.

Rev. McFarland asked that Mr. Handy state for the record that the motion carried.

Mr. Handy stated if the vote is two-thirds then it carries.

Attorney Lawrence stated that the vote must be a minimum of two-thirds. In percentages that is sixty-six and two-thirds. Attorney Lawrence further stated that of the five members present four votes are needed to carry the motion.

Mr. Handy stated that the motion failed because their was not a two-thirds vote.

Mr. Handy called for a motion on Mrs. Shellings' addition to the agenda.

Mrs. Shelling stated that the motion is on the floor and has been seconded by Rev. McFarland.

In favor: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Handy, Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Shelling
Opposed: None

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6:

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted the March 21, 2006 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 7

The President's Report and Announcements

President Handy thanked everyone for their attendance at tonight's meeting. This meeting is being held at Carroll High School and will be followed by a tax renewal town hall meeting. President Handy informed the public on procedures for addressing the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.

Action Item 8

Actions from the Superintendent

Field Trip Request

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved a field trip request for IEG/SADD students to Baton Rouge, LA on April 28-30, 2006.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Recess

Rev. McFarland asked for clarification from Attorney Lawrence regarding the two-thirds vote.

Mr. Handy called for a five minute recess.

The Board reconvened and the meeting continued.

Action Item 9

Human Resources Agenda

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved Human Resources agenda items A-G as presented by the administration.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 10

Presentation: Secondary Curriculum Overview

Mrs. Dana Mullins and Mr. Paul Roberts presented a brief overview on changes to the secondary curriculum.

Board members and Superintendent Dupree thanked the presenters or their report.

Addition to the agenda

Action Item 10:A

Extended Sick Leave for Classified Employees

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Rev. McFarland to approve ten extended sick leave days for classified employees.

Discussion:

Mrs. Carroll stated that the original proposal to the personnel committee regarding extended sick leave to classified employees was to allow fifteen days over a three year period at sixty-five percent of their pay. The approval procedure for extended sick leave for classified personnel would be the same as for certified personnel. Mrs. Carroll further stated that the Committee has been waiting on a cost estimate and the information could be ready by the next Personnel Committee meeting.

Mrs. Shelling asked if the fifteen days are comparable to the number of days given to certified employees.

Dr. Dupree stated that it is not because extended sick leave for certified personnel is ninety days over a six year period.

Mrs. Shelling offered a friendly amendment to her motion to allow additional days for classified employees.

Amended Motion:

It was moved by Rev. McFarland to amend the motion from ten days to twenty five days. Mrs. Shelling accepted and seconded the amended motion.

Dr. Dupree stated that sick leave should be addressed; however, it must be affordable to the District.

Mrs. Dayton asked Attorney Lawrence if she supports the policy tonight can she make a motion to reconsider if facts come to the attention of the Board that requires a revision of the policy.

Attorney Lawrence stated that it could be problematic.

Mr. Handy stated that he has a problem with taking action on items when the appointed committee and administration do not have recommendations for the Board.

In favor: Mrs. Smith, Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Shelling
Opposed: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Handy

The motion carried on a majority vote.

Agenda Item 11

Superintendent's Announcements
Tax Renewal Town Hall Meetings:
April 20th - 7:00 p.m. at Neville High School
April 25th - 5:00 p.m. at Madison James Foster Elementary School
April 25th - 7:00 p.m. at Wossman High School

Agenda Item 12

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Bessie Smith and Ms. Emma West addressed the Board on custodial workers being moved from nine month to ten month employees.

Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on custodial workers and the number of days being worked. Ms. Lollie stated that she is not against the tax but she is against the way it is being handled. Ms. Lollie further stated that employees feel as though they are being coerced and intimidated by the Superintendent to pass the tax.

Ms. Sue Rosenweig and Ms. Rachelle May addressed the Board on the call for the tax renewal.

Ms. Donnie Johnston addressed the Board on Friends of Public Education and cuts at Central Office.

Rev. McFarland stated that he would not be staying for the town hall meeting because he is not in favor of the tax renewal.

Action Item 13

Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton the Board adjourned at 7:55 p.m.


The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
 

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