The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, January 10, 2006 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
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 Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the agenda with the following changes as presented by the Superintendent:


Addition - Revised Human Resources Agenda A-D
Addition - Report: Ad Valorem Tax on State Farm Insurance Policies
Correction - Change Agenda Item 10:A to 9:A and Agenda Items 11:A-B to 10:A-B

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board adopted the December 20, 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 attendance.

President Handy wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Election of Officers for 2006

Dr. Dupree declared the positions of president and vice president of the Monroe City School Board vacant. Dr. Dupree called for the nomination for the position of president.

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Dayton, to continue with the same officers as elected in 2005.

Mrs. Shelling asked that each position be voted on separately.

President of the Board for 2006

In favor: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Cain, Mr. Traweek, Rev. McFarland
Oppose: Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Shelling
Recuse: Mr. Handy

Mrs. Smith stated that she opposed because every Board member should have an opportunity to serve in the position of president and vice president.

On a majority vote, Mr. Handy retained the position of president.

Vice President of the Board for 2006

In favor: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Cain, Mr. Traweek, Mr. Handy, Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Shelling
Recuse: Mrs. Smith

On a unanimous vote, Mrs. Smith retained the position of vice president.

Dr. Dupree closed the Board elections and turned the meeting over to President Handy.

Item 8

Action from the Superintendent

Attorney Lawrence briefed the Board on the Ad Valorem Tax on State Farm Insurance policies. Dr. Dupree, Attorney Lawrence and others from Ouachita Parish met in Baton Rouge with the Louisiana Tax Commission regarding the Ad Valorem Tax. As a result of that meeting, the Louisiana Tax Commission ruled that Ouachita Parish, not East Baton Rouge Parish would receive approximately $2 million in taxes from State Farm Insurance policies.

Dr. Dupree thanked Attorneys Jay Mitchell, Michael Rhymes and Doug Lawrence for a job well done. Dr. Dupree also thanked Senator Charles Jones and Representative Charles McDonald for their support.

Attorney Lawrence praised District 5 State Tax Commission Representative Mr. Richard Young for his leadership.

Action Item 9:A

Human Resources Agenda

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Items A-D as recommended by the Superintendent.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 10:A

2005 Audit Report

Mrs. Derenda Flowers introduced Mr. Francis Huffman of Luffy Huffman & Monroe. Mr. Huffman briefed the Board on the 2005 Audit Report. The district ended the year with a 1.4 million surplus in general funds. A copy of the report is on file in the superintendent's office.

Action Item 10:B

Teacher Salary Schedule

Motion One:

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek, to approve the teacher salary schedule, distribute MFP funds in one lump sum for this year only, and to direct the administration to begin looking at a salary schedule for school level administrators to be implemented by July 1, 2006.

Amended Motion:

Upon clarification by Attorney Lawrence, Mr. Cain restated his motion to read: To accept the teacher salary schedule as presented by the administration and to distribute MFP funds in one check for this year only.

Public Input

Ms. Sandie Lollie, Mrs. Christy Taylor and Ms. Bessie Smith addressed the Board on this agenda item.

Board Discussion

Rev. McFarland stated that he would like all certified employees to receive the MFP funds this year and implement another plan on next year.

Mrs. Smith stated that she would like to see this item tabled so that input from administrators could he heard.

In favor: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Cain, Mr. Traweek, Mr. Handy
Oppose: Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Smith
Recuse: Mrs. Shelling

Mrs. Shelling stated that she recused herself since her salary is contingent upon the salaries of the Monroe City School System, and it would pose an ethical violation.

The amended motion carried on a majority vote.

Motion two:

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board directed the administration to conduct a study involving inequity of pay for school level administrators, and to bring to the Board in a timely manner, a plan for implementation by July 1, 2006.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Shelling left the meeting at 7:10 p.m. to attend another meeting.

Agenda Item 11

School Support Presentations:

The following principals presented School Support PowerPoint presentations to the Board:
Mr. Jimmy Jones - Carroll Junior High
Mrs. Debbie Blue - Martin Luther King Middle

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

Addition to the Agenda

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board added to the agenda, permission to advertise for bids for outdoor bleachers for Lee Junior High and weight room expansion for Wossman High.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

Permission to advertise for bids

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith and Mr. Traweek, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for bids for outdoor bleachers for Lee Junior High and weight room expansion for Wossman High.

Agenda Item 12

Superintendent's Announcements:

 Curriculum Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.
 Staff Development - Friday, January 13, 2006
 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Monday, January 16, 2006
 Policy Committee Meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 4:00 p.m.
 Next scheduled Board Meeting - Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Agenda Item 13

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Mrs. Emma West addressed the Board on a cost of living raise for support staff and air conditioning for custodial workers during the summer.

Ms. Gloria Walker asked the Board to brainstorm and come up with ideas for parental involvement. Ms. Walker also asked the Board to work on recruiting certified math teachers.

Action Item 14

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote of members present.

 

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