The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, May 23, 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. Jessie L. Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Members Absent
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek (ill)
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith (out-of-state)

Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James A. Dupree
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mai Bui
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mr. Bobby Williams
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Ms. Edith Douzart
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 and Human Resources addendum as recommended by the Superintendent.

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. Dayton, the Board adopted the May 23, 2006 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 7

The President's Report and Announcements

President Handy thanked everyone for their attendance at tonight's meeting. President Handy informed the public on procedures for addressing the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.

Action Item 8

Discussion/Action from the Superintendent

8:A - Recognitions

Dr. Dupree and Board members congratulated the following students on their accomplishment:

State Social Studies winners: 1st place - Jenna Mailhes and Kathleen McDonna (Lexington Elementary School)

State Young Author Contest winner: 2nd place - ZaKayla Hadden (Barkdull Faulk Elementary)

8:B - Proposed Mutual Agreement of Compromise and Settlement (State Farm)

Attorney Lawrence briefed the Board on the proposed agreement with State Farm Insurance.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the proposed Mutual Agreement of Compromise and Settlement that was drafted and presented for consideration by eight governmental entities in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana to honor the agreement reached with State Farm Insurance Company and the Louisiana Tax Commission in January 2006 regarding the distribution of State Farm premium credit assessments to Ouachita Parish. (See addendum for agreement)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

8:C- Resolution: Canvassing of Monroe City School Board Millage Tax Renewal

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board accepted the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in the City of Monroe, on Saturday, April 29, 2006, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein. (See addendum for resolution)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 9

Human Resources Agenda

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Items B-F and Addendum Items C, D, and F.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Item A.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 10

10:A - Sales Tax Distribution

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the distribution of the May 2006 Sales Tax Clean-out Checks as presented by the administration. (See addendum for spreadsheet)

The motion carried on a majority vote.

Mrs. Shelling recused.

10:B - Facility Usage Policy

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to accept Agenda Items 10:B and 10:C

Rev. McFarland asked that Agenda Items 10:B and 10:C be taken separately.

Amended Motion:

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to accept Agenda Item 10:B

Discussion:

Rev. McFarland questioned the amount of liability insurance needed to use school facilities. Rev. McFarland asked that this item be tabled.

Mrs. Dayton and Mr. Cain addressed questions by Rev. McFarland insurance requirements

Mr. Cain withdrew the amended motion and Mrs. Shelling withdrew her second.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton the Board accepted Item 10:B as the First Reading.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 10:C

Permission to Advertise for Bids

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board authorized the administration to advertise for the following bids:

1. Sports and Fitness Equipment (PEP Grant)
2. Janitorial Supplies
3. Instructional Supplies
4. Bread, Milk/Orange Juice, Paper/Cleaning Supplies (School Food Service)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 10:D

Outside Bleachers - Lee Junior High School

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board authorized the addition of new outside bleachers at Lee Junior High for no more than $10K inclusive of all costs.

The motion carried on a majority vote.

Mr. Cain opposed.

Item 10:E

Weight room addition - Wossman High School

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Rev. McFarland to expand Wossman High School's weight room not exceeding $100K inclusive of all costs.

Discussion:

Mrs. Dayton asked if this item is the recommendation of the Superintendent.

Dr. Dupree stated that it is his recommendation.

Mr. Cain addressed the issue of needed repairs at other schools and remaining funds in Capital Projects.

The motion carried on a majority vote.

Mrs. Dayton and Mr. Cain opposed.

Agenda Item 11

Presentation - Elementary Curriculum Overview

Ms. Kristin Abah, Ms. Miranda Givens, Ms. Khajana Green and Dr. Phedra Brantley presented the Elementary Curriculum Overview.

Agenda Item 12

Finance Committee Report - Mr. Cain

A Finance Committee Meeting will be scheduled to address the 2006-07 budget.

Agenda Item 13

Policy Committee Report - Mrs. Dayton

A Policy Committee meeting will be scheduled to address concerns regarding the Facility Usage Policy.

Agenda Item 14

Facility Committee Report - Mr. Traweek

No report given due to the absence of Mr. Traweek.

Agenda Item 15

Superintendent's Announcements
 Wossman High School's Girl Track team won 1st place in the State Track Meet
 Memorial Day Holiday - May 29-30, 2006
 Monroe City School Retirement Celebration - June 1, 2006
 Next Board Meeting - June 6, 2006

Mrs. Shelling will be in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, May 24th, attending the House Education Committee Meeting. Mrs. Shelling is encouraging Board members to attend.

Rev. McFarland asked if the next Board meeting could be moved to 5:00 p.m.

Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to move the meeting to 5:30 p.m.

Rev. McFarland addressed the issue of building a new school for Martin Luther King Middle. Rev. McFarland asked that this item be placed on the next Facility Committee agenda.

Agenda Item 16

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Bessie Smith thanked the Superintendent and Mrs. Flowers for resolving the issues regarding custodial workers. Ms. Smith invited Board members to attend a Retirement and Awards dinner for retiring MCAE members.

Ms. Emma West addressed the Board on a cost of living raise for support workers.

Action Item 17

Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
 

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