The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Monday, September 18, 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
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Bobby Williams
Ms. Mai Bui
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mr. Andrew Hill
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5:

Adoption of the Agenda

On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the agenda with the following changes. Action will be taken on deleted items at the first scheduled Board meeting following the Board retreat.

Deletion: 11:B (Facility Usage Policy)
Deletion: 11:D (Resolution - Utilization of vacation by twelve month)
Deletion: 11:F (Bus drivers and bus attendants salary schedule)
Deletion: 11:G (Administrative Salary Schedule)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote
Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes - August 22, 2006

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved the August 22, 2006 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 7

Adoption of the Minutes - August 28, 2006

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved the August 28, 2006 minutes as printed.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 8

The President's Report and Announcements

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

Action from the Superintendent

Action Item 9:A Permission to Travel

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved a request for travel for Neville High and Lee Junior High to travel to the All Star Music Festival in Orlando, Florida (Date TBA).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 9:B - Presentation

Ms. Margie Godwin presented each Board member with a collection of essays from students attending the Summer Institute for the Gifted. Erica Pleasant, David Verlander and Whittney Turner briefed the Board on their experiences while attending SIG.

Board members thanked Ms. Godwin for her hard work in coordinating the program.

Action Item 10:A - Human Resources Agenda and Addendum

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Items A-I.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
The Board recognized Mr. John Ross, principal of Berg Jones, for thirty-two years of service.

Action Item 11:A - Awarding of Bid - Pizza Delivery

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board awarded the pizza delivery bid to Pizza Hut.(See addendum for spreadsheet)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Smith requested a status report on all cafeterias.

Action Item 11:B - Adoption: Facility Usage Policy

Deleted

Action Item 11:C - Resolution to adopt millage(s) levied on the 2006 tax roll

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved the following millage(s) levied on the 2006 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the Monroe City School District:

Operational 7.070 mills
Maintenance 15.810 mills
Special 6.740 mills
Debt Service 11.00 mills

Mrs. Flowers stated that this is a reduction of 1.37 mills in property taxes.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11:D - Resolution: Vacation Utilization

Deleted

Action Item 11:E - Final Revised 205-2006 Budgets

Mrs. Flowers briefed the Board on the final revised budgets for 2005-2006. The General Fund balance for 2005-2006 is 4.5 million.

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mr. Traweek to approved the final revised budget as presented by the administration.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Board members praised the administration and Mr. Cain for all of their hard work.

Action Item 11:F - Bus drivers and bus attendants salary schedule

Deleted

Action Item 11:G - Administrative Salary Schedule

Deleted

Agenda Item 12 - Policy Committee Report

The Policy Committee met prior to Board meeting and the following policies were discussed: Extended Sick Leave, Sick Leave Sharing, Facility Usage and Sexual Misconduct. These items will be further discussed at the Board Retreat.

Agenda Item 13 - Finance Committee Report

The Finance Committee met prior to Board meeting and the following was discussed: Administrative salary schedules and vacation utilization for twelve month employees. These items will be further discussed at the Board Retreat.

Agenda Item 14

Superintendent's Announcements

Dr. Dupree announced the resignation of Mr. Tony Cain as Board Member for District No. 2 effective September 19, 2006.

Mr. Cain requested that at the next regular scheduled Board meeting, which is after the September 30th elections, that the position is declared vacant and the winner be seated so that District 2 would not suffer.

Mr. Cain thanked the past and present Board for the camaraderie over the past twelve years.

Board members and administration wished Mr. Cain well in his future endeavors.

Agenda Item 15

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Bessie Smith addressed the Board on salary schedules for certified and classified employees.

Ms. Gloria Walker voiced her concerns on the shortage of textbooks and the curriculum at the magnet school.

Ms. Sandie Lollie commended Mrs. Flowers and her staff on the balanced budget.

Mr. John Hill addressed the Board on zoning and the enrollment process for out of state students.

Board Discussion

Mrs. Dayton asked when the Board retreat would be scheduled.

Dr. Dupree stated that Dr. Newman is working with him to set up the retreat and that each Board member would be contacted for agenda items. Dr. Dupree stated that the retreat would probably take place at the end of October or the first of November.

Mrs. Shelling requested that the cost of the consultation by Dr. Newman be brought before the Board.

Action Item 16

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Cain that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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