The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, December 6, 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 Rev. McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Item 4: Roll Call

Members Present
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mr. Anthony "Tony" Cain
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek
Mr. Jessie L. Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith

Member Absent
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James A. Dupree
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mr. Bobby Williams
Ms. Edith Douzart
Mrs. Julie Staley
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mr. Andrew Hill
Mrs. Teresa 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 Rev. McFarland, the Board adopted the agenda with the following addition as presented by the Superintendent:

Addition: - Item 8:B - Resolution to advertise for proposals for E-rate for 2006-2007

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the November 15, 2005 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 7

The President's Report and Announcements

The President thanked the administrators, support staff, media and citizens for their presence. President Handy informed the public on procedures for addressing agenda and non-agenda items.

President Handy stated that Mrs. Shelling is absent due to illness.

Action Item 8

Action from the Superintendent

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Rev. McFarland the Board approved the following resolutions:

8:A Resolution to authorize the Superintendent to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Education Opportunity Center, Inc. (Dr. Linda Heard) to write and submit "Improving Literacy through School Libraries Grant. (See addendum for Memorandum of Understanding)

8:B Resolution to grant authority to advertise for proposals for E-Rate for 2006-2007.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 9

Human Resources Agenda

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Items A-G as presented by Mrs. Carroll.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Necrology:
Ms. Authurlynne Dupree - Retired Teacher
Mrs. Caroline Jackson - Active Food Technician
Mr. Charles Rohner - Retired Principal

Action Item 10

Public Input:

Ms. Rachelle May, Sandie Lollie and Ms. Sue Rosenzweig addressed the Board on the distribution of MFP funds.

Board Discussion:

Mrs. Smith asked that playground equipment be provided for M.L.K. since they have sixth graders at the school.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek the Board approved the following Agenda Items:

10:A Resolution to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as a required part of the fiscal audit for 2004-2005. (See addendum for questionnaire)

10:B Awarding of bid to Pizza Hut for pizza delivery (See addendum for spreadsheet)

10:C Awarding of bid to American All Fun for evaluation, construction and installation of playground equipment. (See addendum for spreadsheet)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Addition to the Agenda

Board Discussion:

Mrs. Dayton, Rev. McFarland and Mr. Traweek asked if MFP monies could be disbursed immediately.

Mrs. Flowers stated that two proposals were put before the Board and both were rejected. The Board directed the administration to have the salary schedules ready in six months.

Dr. Dupree and Mrs. Flowers stated that by the end of January the salary schedule should be completed.

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Traweek the Board added Item 10:D(MFP distribution) to the agenda.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

It was moved by Rev. McFarland to distribute $500.00 of the MFP monies and distributed the remaining once the salary schedules are completed. The motion died for lack of a second.

Rev. McFarland withdrew his motion.

Amended motion:

It was moved by Rev. McFarland and seconded by Mrs. Dayton to distribute monies as set forth by Mrs. Flowers.

Mr. Cain offered the following friendly amendment: To distribute 70% to teachers with ten years and above and 30% to teachers with advanced degrees.

Rev. McFarland rejected the friendly amendment.

The President called for a roll call vote.

Yea: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Traweek, Rev. McFarland
Nay: Mr. Cain, Mr. Handy, Mrs. Smith

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

This agenda item will be discussed further at the December 12th Finance Committee Meeting.

Agenda Item 11

School Support Presentations:

Donald Green, principal of Carroll High School, thanked the Board and the community for their support of the band. The band placed third in the National Band Competition that took place in Los Angeles, CA. The Board was presented with a poster and the audience was given homemade candy prepared by the home economics department.

The following principals presented School Support PowerPoint presentations to the Board:
Mr. Donald Green - Carroll High
Mr. Anthony Turner - Lincoln Elementary
Mr. John Ross - Berg Jones Elementary

The Superintendent and Board members praised the principals on their presentations.

Mr. Cain left the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

Agenda Item 12

Facility Committee Meeting update

Mr. Traweek updated the Board on the November 28, 2005 Facilities Committee Meeting. (See addendum for minutes)


Agenda Item 13

Superintendents Announcements:
The January 17th meeting will be rescheduled to January 10th
The Superintendent briefed the Board on the inclement weather procedure
Mid-term exams - December 19th - 21st
Half-day for staff - December 21st
Christmas Holiday - December 21st - January 3rd

Agenda Item 14

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Ada Blakes addressed the Board on the band trip to Los Angeles, CA.

Ms. Becky DeMoss read a statement from the Neville Band Booster Club.

Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on Highly Qualified Teachers. Ms. Walker also addressed the board on fairness/consistency in student discipline.

Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on MFP allocations.

Rev. Jessie Walker addressed the Board on the safety of school buses.

Action Item 13

Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.


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