The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Thursday, October 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. O. W. Billups, Jr. 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
Ms. Mamie Williams
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Ms. Edith Douzart
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda

Dr. Dupree recommended the following changes to the agenda:

Change Agenda Item 9:A (Salary Schedules) to an Action Item
Deletion Item 10:B - Contract (Principal, Supervisor, Coordinator)

Rev. McFarland and Mrs. Smith asked that Item 9:A remain on the agenda as printed.

Dr. Dupree stated that the salary schedule that is being brought before the Board for adoption is for classified employees only.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the agenda as recommended by the Superintendent.

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

The motion passed with a majority vote.

Rev. McFarland and Mrs. Smith stated that they opposed because input was needed from support personnel.

Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board adopted the September 20, 2005 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 7

The President's Report and Announcements

President Handy addressed the Board and Public on the Orderly Meeting and Fairness Input Procedures.

The President thanked everyone for their attendance at tonight's meeting.

Action Item 8

Actions from the Superintendent

Ms. Margie Godwin announced the passing of Mr. William J. Ruane. Mr. Ruane, a New York Wall Street financier and founder of the Carmel Hill Educational Program, has donated over $1,000.000 to the Monroe City Schools' reading and math programs.

Mrs. Shelling asked that the Board send a resolution to the Carmel Hill Institution.

Mrs. Dayton asked Mrs. Godwin to keep the Board updated on the progress of the programs.

8:A - Videoing of Meetings

Mr. Ron Phillips, of Berachah Motion Media, addressed the Board on the videotaping of Board meetings. This service, which is provided free of charge, will be televised on channel 75.

8:B - Medical Magnet Program update

Ms. Kay Gill, along with Samantha Clay and Darryl Conate; both Carroll High students, briefed the Board on the Medical Magnet Program.

Board members and Superintendent Dupree praised the students and the program.

Action Item 9 - Salary Schedules

Mrs. Flowers presented the proposed salary schedules for all classified employees excluding bus drivers and attendants.

Public Input:

Mrs. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on the classified salary schedule.

Mrs. Smith and Rev. McFarland asked that Item 9:A be tabled.

It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Mr. Cain, that the Board accept the proposed salary schedule as presented by Mrs. Flowers.

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

The motion carried on a majority vote.

Action Item 10

10:A - Human Resources Agenda

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Smith to accept Human Resources Agenda Items 10:A (A-F) and Addendum (A, C, D, G) excluding Item B.

Mrs. Smith withdrew her second.

Amendment One:

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Smith to accept Human Resources Agenda Items10:A (A-F) excluding B (contracts) and D:9 (Public Information Officer).

Dr. Dupree stated that Item 10:B was deleted when the agenda was approved.

Amendment Two:

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mrs. Smith to accept all Personnel Agenda Items excluding D:9.

The motion with amendment carried on a unanimous vote.

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek to accept Human Resource Agenda Item 10 D:9 (Public Information Officer).

Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Shelling stated that they were opposed because they were not in favor of adding additional staff to central office.

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

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

Mr. Traweek stated that the position is needed but he opposed at this time because the district has greater needs.

Item 11

Discussion/Action Superintendent's Evaluation

Mrs. Dayton addressed the Board on the Superintendent's Evaluation Committee.

Mrs. Smith asked that the statement "can not judge" be removed from the evaluation instrument.

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mr. Cain the Board approved the revised Superintendent's evaluation instrument.

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

The motion passed with a majority vote.

Item 12

Superintendent's Announcements

Teacher of the Year Reception - October 26, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. - ULM Library - 7th floor

The student count as of October 1, 2005 is 9,573 (including pre-K)

Jefferson Principalship - Each Board member is asked to nominate a community representative to participate on the interview committee.
Friday, October 14, 2005 - Interviews (Media Center)
Monday, October 17, 2005 - Community meeting with top three candidates (Jefferson Upper Elementary - Auditorium)
Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - Recommendation to the Board

Mr. Cain stated that although the state promised $530.00 to teachers, the district did not receive funding because it was determined that we were not eligible. The Finance Committee is requested that the administration take no more than six months to conduct a study on the certified salary schedule.

Mrs. Shelling stated that the Louisiana School Boards Association will have an emergency meeting to discuss needs regarding the evacuees. Mrs. Shelling asked Board members to email her questions they would like the Association to address.

Action Item 13

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Cathy Brown addressed the Board on band uniforms for Neville High School.

Dr. Dupree will meet with Ms. Brown to discuss the band parents concerns.

The Board apologized for the delay in getting the band uniforms.

Action Item 14

Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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