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The Monroe City School Board met in regular session,
Tuesday, November 14, 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. Rodney McFarland. The Pledge
of Allegiance was recited in unison.
Item 4: Roll Call
Members Present
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mrs. Vickie Krutzer
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
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Bobby Williams
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Ms. Karla Bowlin
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence
Action Item 5:
Adoption of the Agenda
Dr. Dupree noted that original resolutions 8:B and 10:A lacked essential
wording. Corrected resolutions have been disseminated to Board members.
On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board
approved the agenda with changes as noted by the Superintendent.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 6
Adoption of the Minutes - October 17, 2006
On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board
approved the October 17, 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.
Mr. Traweek congratulated Ms. Rayne Adams for being selected state School
Psychologist of the Year.
Action from the Superintendent
Action Item 8:A - Follett Destiny Resource Management
Mrs. Margie Godwin presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Follett library
automated system which includes textbook inventory and fine management.
On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the board
approved a resolution to upgrade the present library system to Follett Destiny
Resource Management.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 8:B - Increase in Substitute Teacher Pay
Mrs. Krutzer gave a report from the Finance Committee Meeting held November 13,
2006. (See addendum for minutes)
Public Comments:
Ms. Rachelle May, Ms. Bessie Smith and Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on
pay raises for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals.
Board Comments:
Mrs. Dayton stated that the Finance Committee is requesting a student/teacher
ratio report, and a report on any needed technology or additional staff that
would assist Mrs. Flowers in the business department.
Rev. McFarland stated that he is in favor of raises for substitutes, but he
would like to see a pay raise for permanent employees as well.
Mrs. Shelling stated that the district should be looking into a pay increase and
incentives for employees first, and then look into an increase for substitutes.
On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved a
resolution to increase substitute teacher pay from $40 to $50 for less than a
Bachelor's Degree, $45 to $55 for a Bachelor's Degree or higher, certified
teachers from $50 to $60, substitute paraprofessionals from $33.48 to $50 and
decrease the number of days from 20 to 10 consecutive days for long term
substitute teacher to received $100 per day.
The motion carried on a majority vote. Mrs. Shelling opposed.
Action Item 8:C - Contract with Dr. Wilson Campbell
Public Comment:
Ms. Rachelle May addressed the Board on the physical education teacher position
at Clara Hall Elementary.
Mrs. Shelling asked that the Superintendent look at the grant to see if all
schools that were written into the grant have physical education teachers at
those schools.
On a motion by Mrs. Dayton that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board
approved a resolution renewing the contract with Dr. Wilson Campbell as
Consultant for the second year of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 8:D - Appointment of New Principals
On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved
the following new principals as recommendation by the Superintendent:
Dr. Angela Manning - Carroll Junior High School
Mrs. Whitney Martin - Lee Junior High School
Mr. David Breithaupt - Career Development
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr. Traweek thanked Mr. Breithaupt for doing a fine job as Interim Principal of
Lee Jr. High.
Board members congratulated each new principal on their appointment.
Dr. Manning, Mrs. Martin and Mr. Breithaupt thanked the Board for their support.
Action Item 9:A - Human Resources Agenda
On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board
approved Human Resources Agenda Items A-I as presented by the administration.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:A - Network Infrastructure
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved
a resolution to advertise for RFP to upgrade the current network infrastructure
bandwidth using e-rate funding.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 10:B - Compliance Questionnaire
On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board
approved a resolution to accept and approve the Systems Survey and Compliance
Questionnaire for Monroe City Schools for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.(See
addendum for questionnaire)
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 11:A - Informational Item: Forfeiture of Sabbatical Leave Pay
Attorney Doug Lawrence addressed the Board on the forfeiture of sabbatical leave
pay. Attorney Lawrence stated that an employee decide not to return to the
system after their sabbatical leave ended. Louisiana Law states that unless a
person is incapacitated, sabbatical leave payment is forfeited if the employee
does not return. Attorney Lawrence further stated that the next step would be to
seek reimbursement on behalf of the district. The district can adopt a provision
or waiver, but the policy must be in place before it can be granted.
Mrs. Krutzer asked what would be the legal fees to recoup the money.
Attorney Lawrence stated that it is his expectation that it would cost $1,000 -
$1,500.
Mrs. Shelling asked if the Board could go into Executive Session to further
discuss this issue.
Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Handy, and Rev. McFarland stated that they would like more
information on this matter. It is the consensus of the Board to allow Attorney
Lawrence to obtain all facts, and prepare to discuss the issue in Executive
Session at the next Board meeting.
Agenda Item 12
Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items
Ms. Rachelle May addressed the Board on conference attendance, sales tax
distribution, and overpayment to a number of employees in October payroll.
Board members asked that the administration work out a repayment plan. The
Superintendent will work with Mrs. Flowers to develop a plan.
Board members requested a report on how many employees were overpaid.
Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on fair treatment of employees.
Ms. Bessie Smith addressed the Board on sales tax distribution.
Mr. Jimmy Hardy addressed the Board on revenue from the state of Louisiana.
Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on changes to the Board meeting schedule
and student transfers after October 1st.
Superintendents Announcements
Superintendent Dupree announced the following:
Thanksgiving Break - November 20-24, 2006
Board Retreat - December 5, 2006; location and time to be announced
Board Meeting scheduled for December 5, 2006 will be canceled
Next Board meeting - December 19, 2006
Mrs. Shelling announced that the Louisiana School Boards Association will meet
in Monroe on Friday, December 15, 2006 for their quarterly Board meeting. The
public is invited to attend.
Mrs. Shelling also announced that she has been appointed by Governor Blanco to
serve on the MFP Committee. The committee will convene November 28, 2006 in
Baton Rouge to discuss upcoming issues.
Action Item 13
Adjournment
On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the meeting
adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr.
Jessie L. Handy, President
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent
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