The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, September 20, 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. 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. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Mrs. Stephanie S. Smith
Mr. James "Mickey" Traweek
Reverend Rodney McFarland

Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James A. Dupree
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
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:

Addition: Executive Session
Deletion: Human Resource Agenda Item B: 6 and 8 (Professional appointments)
Deletion: Agenda Item 10:B (Contracts - Principal, Supervisor, Coordinator)

It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Mr. Cain, to accept the agenda with the deletions/addition as recommended by the superintendent.

Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Shelling, and Rev. McFarland asked that Agenda Item 11 (Discussion/Action - Public Relations Committee update) be deleted from the Agenda and be brought back at the next regular scheduled Board meeting.

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

The motion passed with a majority vote.

Rev. McFarland stated that Robert's Rules of Order states that you must have a two-thirds vote to add items to the agenda; therefore the agenda must remain as printed.

Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adopted the September 8, 2005 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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 that forms are being provided for persons that would like to address Agenda Items and Non-Agenda Items.

Action Item 8

Actions from the Superintendent

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved a Special Call Meeting for Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. to adopt the millage rates for tax year 2005.

The motion carried on a majority vote. Mrs. Shelling opposed.

Action Item 9

9:A - Awarding of bids (Surplus Sale)

Discussion:

Mrs. Flowers stated that several bids were rejected because state law prohibits employees and their immediate family from bidding on items in the department in which they work.

Mrs. Shelling asked if previous bids for surplus items were rejected by employees.

Mrs. Flowers stated that Attorney Lawrence gave her an opinion on the last surplus sale and bids were awarded on his recommendation.

Mrs. Shelling asked for the names of those whose bids were rejected.

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek the Board awarded the bids on surplus items as recommended by Mrs. Flowers. (See addendum for spreadsheet)

9:B - Awarding of Bids (Physical Education supplies)

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling the Board awarded the Physical Education supplies bid to Sportime as presented by Mrs. Flowers. (See addendum for spreadsheet).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 10

10:A - Human Resources Agenda

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved Human Resources Items A-E with the exception of Agenda Items B:6 and B:8 (Professional Appointments) as presented by Mrs. Carroll and recommended by the Superintendent.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 10:B- Adoption of Contracts (Principals, Supervisors, Coordinator)

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board tabled action on Agenda Item 10:B.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Item 11

Discussion/Action - Public Relations Committee update

The Board discussed the pros and cons of the Public Relations Action Plan.

It was moved by Rev. McFarland and seconded by Mr. Shelling to table action on this item.

Roll Call vote:

Mrs. Smith - yea
Mr. Handy - nay
Rev. McFarland - yea
Mr. Cain - nay
Mrs. Shelling - yea
Mr. Traweek - nay
Mrs. Dayton - nay

The motion failed for a lack of a majority vote.

President Handy called for a motion to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent.

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent.

Rev. McFarland asked President Handy if this was the report from the Superintendent or the Public Relations Committee.

Amended Motion:

It was moved by Mr. Cain and seconded by Mr. Traweek, to accept Action Item 11.

Roll Call:

Mrs. Shelling - nay
Mr. Traweek - yea
Mrs. Dayton - yea
Mr. Handy - yea
Mrs. Smith - nay
Rev. McFarland - nay
Mr. Cain - yea

The motion passed on a majority vote. (See addendum for Public Relation Action Plan)

Item 12

Superintendent's Announcements

Katrina Education update:

Mrs. Teresa Foreman, Mr. Bobby Williams, Mrs. Derenda Flowers, and Mrs. Betty Carroll each gave an overview of the Katrina education effort.

Action Item 13

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Alice Gordon addressed the Board on the substitute teacher program.

Ms. Emma West addressed the Board on the salary schedule for classified personnel.

Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on salary schedules and public relations.

Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on the image of the Board.

Mrs. Smith requested a copy of the report from the Health Department from the Supervisor of School Food Service.

Mr. Traweek asked the Board to reconsider adding the Executive Session to the Agenda.

Dr. Dupree stated that the Executive Session can be added to the September 27, 2005 meeting.

Action Item 14

Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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