The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 3, 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. 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
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Ms. Karla Bowlin
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. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved the agenda with the following addition:

Addition: 14:A - Executive Session

The motion carried on a unanimous vote



Action Item 6

Adoption of the Minutes - October 3, 2006

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved the October 3, 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. He informed the public on procedures for addressing the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.

President Handy asked Dr. Newman to give a report on the Board retreat.

Rev. McFarland stated that the report needs to be added to the agenda.

Addition to the Agenda

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board added 8:C to the agenda - report by Dr. Gene Newman.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 8:A - Resolution to declare Board vacancy

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved a resolution to declare the seat previously held by Anthony "Tony" Cain for District No. 2 vacant.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 8:B - Resolution to fill Board vacancy

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the winner of the election held September 30, 2006 as the successor to Mr. Cain to fill his unexpired term, effective immediately or as soon as possible by law, and until midnight, December 31, 2006.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Appointment of Board Member for District No. 2

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board approved Mrs. Vickie Krutzer to fill the unexpired term for District No. 2.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Swearing In of New Board Member

Attorney Lawrence briefed the Board on state guidelines for filling a vacancy once an appointment has been made.

Mrs. Vickie Krutzer was administered the Oath of Office by Notary Brady King, II.
Upon being sworn in as the new Board member for District No. 2, Mrs. Krutzer was seated and the meeting continued.

Agenda Item 8:C - Report

Drs. Gene and Pam Newman, Newman Group Inc., presented the plan and timeline for the upcoming Board retreat.

Board members discussed the retreat and concerns were addressed.

Action from the Superintendent

Action Item 9:A Permission to Travel

Public Input

Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on an incident that occurred with Wossman's band at Neville's football game on Friday, September 22, 2006.

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Dayton, the Board approved a request for travel for Neville High School to travel to London, England on March 15-24, 2007.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Rev. McFarland asked if their have been any changes to the travel policy.

Dr. Dupree stated that their have been no policy changes; only procedural changes.

Rev. McFarland and Mrs. Shelling requested a copy of the revised procedures.

Agenda Item 9:B

Recommendation for approval of new principal at Berg Jones Elementary

Dr. Dupree recommended Mrs. Lisa Wilmore as the new principal of Berg Jones Elementary.

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved Mrs. Lisa Wilmore as the principal of Berg Jones Elementary.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Wilmore thanked the Board for their support and confidence in her. Mrs. Wilmore also thanked Mr. Andrew Hill, Mrs. Sylvia Brass and Mr. Anthony Turner for their guidance.

Action Item 10:A - Human Resources Agenda

It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Dayton, to approve Human Resources Agenda Items A-F.

Rev. McFarland offered a friendly amendment to accept Human Resources Agenda Items A-F with the exception of item B:2.

Mrs. Shelling and Mrs. Dayton accepted the friendly amendment.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Human Resources Agenda Item B:2

Rev. McFarland stated that Mr. Jimmy Jones would be on leave for an extended period of time. Rev. McFarland further stated that until Mr. Jones has officially retired, a new principal can't be appointed because two people can't hold the same position.

Dr. Dupree stated that Mr. Jones will be using his accumulated days and that he will be leaving the position as principal in January and will be on leave until the end of the school year. Dr. Dupree stated that Attorney Lawrence will research this issue and make a recommendation as to what action is needed in accordance with state law.

Mrs. Shelling stated that the vacation policy needs to re-examined. She further stated that it is her hope that employees are not losing days because of misinterpretation of the policy.

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board approved Human Resources Agenda Item B:2.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 11:A - Awarding of Bid - Fitness Equipment (PEP Grant)

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Krutzer, the Board awarded the fitness equipment bid to the low bidder. (See addendum for spreadsheet)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 12 - Facility Committee Report

Mr. Traweek gave a brief report on the following agenda items from the Facility Committee Meeting held September 19, 2006:
 Completion of playground equipment installation
 Additional pest control at MLK


 Fence at Cypress Point - to discussed at a later date
 Foundation problems at MLK
 The weight room expansion at Wossman

Dr. Gene Newman presented a detailed Facility Utilization Plan for Central Office.

Board Members commended Dr. Newman on the utilization plan. Mrs. Smith, Rev. McFarland and Mrs. Shelling voiced their concerns regarding the possibility of moving the Transportation Department into the southside community.

Agenda Item 13

Superintendent's Announcements
 The District has received a $3.7 million dollar Erate Grant for network infrastructure
 Educator of the Year Program is scheduled for Thursday, Oct 5th at 6:00 p.m. at ULM
 Wossman High School Band will compete in the Drumline Competition in Jackson, MS on Sunday, October 15, 2006
.
Agenda Item 14:A

Public Discussion and Comments on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Bessie Smith welcomed Mrs. Krutzer and congratulated Board members on their re-election. Ms. Smith asked that the Board take into consideration a raise for classified employees.

Action Item 14:B - Executive Session

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board convened into Executive Session to receive the results of the Superintendent's Evaluation.

Action Item 15

Adjournment

The meeting reconvened in open session.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. upon a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Smith.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

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