The Monroe City School Board met in a called meeting, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the Monroe City School Board Central Office, 2101 Roselawn Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order by the President. Prayer was offered by Reverend A. J. Mansfield. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.


Item 4: Roll Call

Board Members Present
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Krutzer
Mr. Jessie Handy
Bishop Rodney McFarland, Sr.
Mrs. Stephanie Smith

Members Absent
Mr. James Mickey Traweek
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James Dupree
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5 - Adoption of the Agenda

On a motion by Bishop McFarland that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the agenda as printed.

Motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Agenda Item 6 - President's Reports and Announcements

President Dayton thanked everyone for their attendance. She noted that Mr. Traweek is out of town and Mrs. Shelling has a business emergency.

Action 7-A - Approval of Contract for ResCare

Dr. Dupree briefly summarized the process by which the district determined the provider. He stated that the administration has thoroughly evaluated the Excel Program. This program will serve approximately 150 students in grades 6-8 from all three middle/junior high schools. The district had several options for Sherrouse GOAL School; the school could remain open, the state could take over, or students could be sent back to their home school. In this entire process, middle/junior high principals and school improvement team members have been involved. After several meetings, it was the consensus of the Board to follow the MOU and allow students to return to their home school and have an independent provider tailor services for those students. The state department provided the district with a list of alternative school providers and that list was narrowed to three. The administration developed a matrix and then visited all three programs. After visitations, the staff compiled the findings and recommended ResCare, Inc. Dr. Dupree further stated that the information that will be presented by Dr. Turpin will assist the Board in approving the contract with ResCare.

Mr. Handy arrived at 1:45 p.m.

Dr. Turpin summarized the terms of the contract with ResCare, Inc. At the April 24th Board meeting, the Board selected ResCare as the provider. Attorney Lawrence took the standard contract that ResCare uses and made recommendations so that the services would be tailored to the district's needs. A great deal of information was added to the standard contract. Dr. Turpin briefly went over the highlights of the contact. The contract will provide services for 150 students; 45 at Carroll Jr., 45 at Lee Junior and 65 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle. It was noted that MLK was allowed 15 additional slots because they have 6th grade at that school. The state department is working with the district on the school improvement plan which should be revised by Thursday. Their program along with our input regarding curriculum needs and needs of our students is what has shaped the school improvement plan. Students will be monitored every three weeks, and the program will be monitored every nine weeks. Dr. Turpin stated that one requirement of the contract is that the consultant employees meet Louisiana Certification and Highly Qualified standards for the classes they will be teaching. The total contract fee is $1,225,720.00 for the 2008-2009 school year and will be paid over a period of twelve months.

President Dayton asked what will happen if there is movement of students.

Dr. Turpin stated that adjustments would be made and teachers may be moved. The ratio will continue to be 15/1.

Bishop McFarland stated that Carroll Jr. may be in school improvement when scores are released next week.

Stephanie Simmons stated that ResCare will be on the campus this year and if Carroll Jr. is placed in AUS then ResCare could be transitioned into the entire school.
Mrs. Smith asked Attorney Lawrence if he was in agreement with the contract.

Attorney Lawrence stated that there was a particular recommendation that he made regarding employment practice insurance. It was noted that employees will be employed by ResCare and not by the district. He further stated that this section was more for ResCare's benefit. They are retaining the general liability coverage and the errors and omissions coverage. The initial contract did not have a limit; therefore one was added.

President Dayton questioned the amount of coverage.

Mr. Matt Doctrow, vice president of Arbor Technology and Education, a division of ResCare, joined the meeting via phone.

President Dayton inquired about the limit of liability that is carried for general and professional errors and omissions.

Mr. Doctrow stated that it is normally $1,000,000.00.

President noted that the contract states that liability is $500,000.00 and the district would like it to be increased to $1,000,000.00 and $3,000,000.00 in the aggregate.

Mr. Doctrow stated that he was unable to reach his contact but he obtained information from their intranet and it shows general liability at $4,000,000.00.

Dr. Dupree asked Mr. Doctrow if he would change the contact to reflect the liability limits.

Mr. Doctrow said that he would.

Dr. Turpin stated that the consultant will hire 17 employees (one team leader, ten teachers, three special education teachers and three academic coaches).

Mrs. Dayton asked what the arrangements are regarding benefits for teachers within the district if they are hired by ResCare.

Dr. Turpin stated that teachers would be employed by ResCare; therefore they would participate in their benefits program.

Ms. Simmons asked Mr. Rodney Watson about this concern and he suggested that those teachers be placed on a leave of absence.

Bishop McFarland stated that the responsibility to recruit teaches rest solely on ResCare and we should not be involved in the hiring process.

Mrs. Smith stated that since we have a contract with ResCare, we should let them do what they are being hired to do.

On a motion by Mrs. Smith that was seconded by Mrs. Krutzer, the Board approved a one year contract with ResCare, Inc. to implement the Excel program at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle, Carroll Junior and Lee Junior for the 2008-2009 school year.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

President Dayton asked Mr. Doctrow when his staff will be on site.

Mr. Doctrow stated that he has three people identified that he wants to start in May.

Rev. Mansfield asked if there will be a local person that will manage the program.

Mr. Doctrow stated that he is not sure at this time but he prefers someone with specific knowledge of the Louisiana school system. He further stated that the person would have to be taught ResCare's model and philosophy.

Agenda Item 8 - Superintendent's Reports and Announcements

Dr. Dupree stated that it has been said that this process had been behind schedule but it has not. We have taken the necessary time to look into all needed aspects of developing this contract and we have investigated the different companies. We have selected the best program from the choices we were given. The Board should feel secure that the administration has covered a lot of ground.

Agenda Item 9 - Public Input on Non-Agenda Items

No public input was given.

Action Item 10 - Adjournment/Recess

On a motion by Mrs. Smith and seconded by Bishop McFarland, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

 

Mrs. Victoria Dayton, President                                                             
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent