The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in 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. Brenda Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek
Reverend Rodney McFarland

Member Absent:
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton was absent due to illness.

Superintendent, Administrative Staff and Board Attorney:
Dr. James A. Dupree
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Andrew Hill
Mrs. Theresa Foreman
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 Mrs. Shelling, the Board adopted the agenda with the following changes as presented by the Superintendent:

Addition: Agenda Item 8:A (Resolution to advertise for bids)

Addendum: Human Resources Agenda (A, D, F,G)

Deletion: Human Resources Agenda (D:23 - Secondary Supervisor)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adopted the July 28, 2005 and August 9, 2005 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 7

The President's Reports and Announcements

The President thanked the administrators, support staff, media, teachers, parents, and citizens for their presence.

President Handy reminded the public that forms are being provided for persons that would like to address Agenda Items and Non-Agenda Items. The recording secretary, will assist those that are unable to fill out the form.

President Handy announced the 2005-2006 Committee Members. President Handy stated that changes were being made because committee meetings are important and that at times there are not enough committee members present to discuss issues. President Handy further stated that the committees were implemented as a means to inform Board members of issues for discussion prior to Board meeting.

Board Discussion:

Rev. McFarland stated that he did not think that the committees could be changed because the members have been serving on the committees since taking office. Rev. McFarland questioned why the changes were being made now.

President Handy stated that it is at the discretion of the Board President to make changes.

Mrs. Shelling stated that she did not have a problem with being removed from the Personnel Committee because she will continue to be active.

Rev. McFarland asked Attorney Lawrence if the Committees could be changed without Board approval.

Attorney Lawrence stated that he would have to research this issue.

Mrs. Shelling asked Attorney Lawrence if the Board president could serve as Chair of a committee.

Attorney Lawrence stated that the Board Chair is always an ex officio member of the committee. Attorney Lawrence stated that he would have to research this issue.

Rev. McFarland asked that Attorney Lawrence research all concerns before the new committees are put in place.

Mrs. Shelling asked that she be added to the Ad Hoc Tax Committee.

President Handy stated that all Board members are welcome to attend the meetings and give their input.

Action Item 8:A

Actions from the Superintendent

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted a resolution to grant authority to advertise for bids for Physical Education Equipment and Supplies to be funded from the PEP Grant.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 9

Action Item A - Human Resources Agenda (A-H) and Addendum (A, D, F, G)

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board approved the Human Resources Agenda and Addendum as recommended by the Superintendent.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item B - Draft Contracts

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board tabled Action Item B until the next scheduled Board meeting.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Discussion/Action Item 10 (Public Relations Committee)

Board Discussion:

Mrs. Shelling stated that she is concerned that the Superintendent is calling committee meetings without the knowledge of the Chairpersons.

Dr. Dupree stated that he left messages on Mrs. Shelling's phone.

Mrs. Shelling stated that she was out of state and when she returned, she received emails dated August 19th and the 22nd. Mrs. Shelling further stated that the Superintendent should not be calling meetings.

Dr. Dupree stated that he is not a voting member, but under the authority of the State, he is Secretary to the Board and that he has a responsibility to the Board to take care of the Board's business along with the Board President. Dr. Dupree also stated that he is working hard to close the communication gap and will continue to do so.

After further discussion, Mrs. Shelling moved that President Handy be removed as President of the Monroe City School Board.

The motion failed for a lack of a second.

Mrs. Smith stated that committee meetings should not be set without the chairperson being notified. Mrs. Smith further stated that a workshop needs to be scheduled with all Board members excluding the Superintendent.

Board members will be polled, and a meeting date/time set.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Cain, the Board tabled the Public Relations Committee update until the next scheduled Board meeting.

Discussion/Action Item 11 (Superintendent's Evaluation)

Mr. Traweek briefed the Board on the Superintendent’s evaluation process. It is the consensus of the Board and the Superintendent that the evaluation is extended until the end of September.

Agenda Item 12

Superintendent's Announcements

Board members are being notified daily of the warm body count via email.

Dr. Heard will be in the District on Thursday, August 25th to give details of the GEAR UP Grant.

School start-up is on target and students are on task. Staffing is being monitored daily.

Dr. Dupree briefed the Board on the latest Grant Award Notifications.
Classroom-Based Technology - $106,815.00
Superior Textbooks Program - $9,438.00
LEAP 21 Tutoring/High Stakes Remediation - $245,034.00

Agenda Item 13

Public Input on Non Agenda Items

Mr. Sullivan Harris addressed the Board on the disparity in Monroe City Schools and Ouachita Parish Schools.

Action Item 14

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.


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