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The Monroe City School Board met
in regular session, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at 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. James
B. Johnson. 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
Reverend Rodney McFarland, Sr.
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Board Member Absent
Mr. James Mickey Traweek
Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James Dupree
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence
Action Item 5: Adoption of the Consent Agenda
President Dayton stated that the Board was polled and it was the consensus of
the Board to place the superintendent's contract renewal on the March 4th
agenda.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and second by Rev. McFarland to remove B:1
(professional resignation) from the Human Resources agenda and place it on the
agenda as 7:B, remove D:1 (Early Intervention Coordinator), D:2 (Mental Health
Therapist) and G:1 (Project Assistant) from the Human Resources agenda and place
it on the agenda as one item as 7:C, add 10:C (committee formation for Lee
Junior High auditorium/gymnasium), add 10:D (committee formation
Career/Vocational Training for Monroe City Schools) and to approve the following
consent agenda items:
5:A - Adoption of the Agenda
5:B - Adoption of the Minutes - January 15, 2007
5:C - Ratification of approval for Basic Maintenance for E-rate
5:D - Ratification of approval for Telecommunication for E-rate
5:E - Contract for Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant Evaluator
5:F - Permission to advertise for bids for security cameras at all schools
(Funding source: Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant)
5:G - Permission to advertise for bids for student fitness centers (Funding
source: PEP Grant)
5:H - Permission to advertise for RFP for a third party administrator to monitor
all 403B activities for MCS employees as required by the IRS
5:I - Human Resources Agenda with the exception of B:1, D:1, D:2 and G:1
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 6 - President's Reports and Announcements
President Dayton thanked everyone for their attendance and asked that all cell
phones be turned off. She informed the public on the procedure for addressing
the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.
Action from Superintendent
Action Item 7:A - Safe Schools/Healthy Students Project Director
It was moved by Mrs. Smith and seconded by Mr. Handy to accept the
superintendent's recommendation to appoint Dr. Phedra Brantley as Project
Director for the Safe Schools/Healthy Student Grant.
In favor: Mrs. Dayton, Mr. Handy, Mrs. Smith
Opposed: Mrs. Krutzer, Rev. McFarland, Mrs. Shelling
Motion failed for a lack of a majority.
Action Item 7:B - Professional Resignation
Rev. McFarland disseminated to Board members a letter from an employee. He
discussed the contents of the letter and voiced his displeasure with the process
of administrative reviews.
It was moved by Rev. McFarland and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to accept agenda
item 7:B.
The motion carried on a majority vote.
Mrs. Dayton opposed. She stated that she does not agree with someone being
forced to make a move but if there are grounds for termination it should be
placed on the agenda as such.
Action Item 7:C Permission to advertise for Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant
positions
Dr. Turpin recognized Mrs. Linda Gaviolli from the Children's Coalition. She
stated that Ms. Gaviolli is here in support of the grant.
Rev. McFarland asked that this item be discussed before a motion is made. He
asked for the starting salary of the positions.
Dr. Turpin stated that the salaries are: $52,000 - Mental Health Therapist,
$48,000 - Early Intervention Coordinator and $27,000 - Project Assistant. Dr.
Turpin noted that all of these positions would be contingent upon funding.
Rev. McFarland stated that the Board must first establish a director for the
project and that person should have input as to who will work under them.
Dr. Dupree stated that Dr. Turpin is the director until a director is hired.
Mrs. Dayton asked Dr. Dupree if he has a second recommendation.
Dr. Dupree stated that he does not have one at this time.
Rev. McFarland stated that this Board is not a rubber stamp Board. The
superintendent can bring another recommendation to the Board but he can't bring
the same person back again because the motion failed. The Board does not have to
accept the recommendation just because it was placed on the agenda by the
superintendent.
Mr. Handy stated that this is not a rubber stamp Board, but we are not the
superintendent and we did not sit on the interview committee; therefore, someone
had to make a recommendation.
Dr. Dupree stated that he knows the Board is not a rubber stamp Board but he has
to run the district and try to accomplish some of the goals of the Board. The
interview committee does go through a rigorous screening process and the
partners put in a lot of time in terms of identifying suitable personnel. This
process is used to bring the best qualified persons to these positions.
Mrs. Krutzer stated that the grant can be revised and the positions can be
contracted out instead of moving a classroom teacher into the positions.
Mrs. Shelling asked if the grant is being implemented.
Dr. Turpin stated that only a portion of the grant is being implemented because
some of the positions have not been filled.
It was moved by Mr. Handy to advertise for the SSHS grant positions.
The motion died for a lack of a second.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Rev. McFarland to table
advertising for the positions of Early Intervention Coordinator, Mental Health
Therapist and Project Assistant until the Board employs a Project Director.
The motion carried on a majority vote.
Mr. Handy opposed.
Rev. McFarland requested that Dr. Dupree provide the Board with the names of all
applicants for the position of Project Director.
Action Item 8:A - 2008-2009 School Calendar
Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on working in harmony with Ouachita Parish
School District.
On a motion by Mr. Handy that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the
2008-2009 school calendar as presented by the administration.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 9:A - Plan to remove Clara Hall from Academically Unacceptable
School Status
Ms. Rachelle May addressed the Board on the possible closing of Clara Hall.
Bryaneisha Newton, a second grade student at Clara Hall, stated that she did not
want her school to close.
Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on Clara Hall and Jefferson.
Rev. McFarland stated that he is not in support of closing Clara Hall. The Board
needs to come up with a solution to solve this problem. He further stated that
the Board needs to listen to the community on this issue.
Mrs. Smith stated that she and Mrs. Krutzer met with parents and teachers during
Clara Hall's PTO meeting. Parents and teachers were assured that the closing of
Clara Hall was only an option and no decision has been made. Mrs. Smith also
stated that she is not in favor of closing the school and that she has asked the
superintendent to come up with other options.
Mrs. Shelling stated that the Board will do what is best for the children. She
asked that the principal of Clara Hall call a meeting with the parents so that
the entire Board can listen to the concerns of the parents and the community.
A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th at 6:00 p.m. The principals of
Clara Hall and Jefferson will coordinate the location.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board tabled
this agenda item until further notice.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 10 - Board Committee Updates
On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board added
to the agenda Action Item 10:E (Authorization to do a demographic study).
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 10:A - Technology Committee Update
President Dayton updated the Board on the Technology Committee. Dr. Dupree and
Ms. Bowlin have put in place a technology committee along with a charge for the
committee. This committee will continuously help the Board upgrade the
technology plan and chart the future. As a result of the Finance Committee
Meeting, it was suggested that a round table discussion take place with the
E-rate vendors.
Agenda Item10:B - QZAB Committee Update
Dr. Dupree stated that by March 4th the committee should have the final packet
of information for Board approval. By the second Board meeting in March, all
documentation regarding the QZAB loan and projects must be approved.
Mrs. Krutzer asked if the 10% match has been approved.
Dr. Dupree stated that they are waiting on documentation from the Carmel Hill
Foundation to submit with the proposal.
Action Item10:C - Formation of Committee: Lee Junior High Gymnasium/Auditorium
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Krutzer, the Board
approved the appointment of a committee to examine the feasibility of either
renovating or building a gymnasium/auditorium at Lee Jr. High.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Shelling will serve as chairperson of this committee.
Action Item10:D - Committee Formation: Career and Vocational Training
On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the Board
approved the appointment of Career and Vocational Training Committee to assess
existing programs for MCS students.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Krutzer will serve as chairperson of this committee.
Action Item 10:E - Demographic Study
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board
authorized the superintendent to bring to the Board a proposal to enter into a
contract for a demographic study for approval at the next Board meeting.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 11: Superintendent's Announcements and Updates
Superintendent Dupree encouraged everyone to support the programs in the
community and schools in observance of Black History Month.
Action Item 11:A - Resolution for Continued Responsibility of Sherrouse
Alternative School
Superintendent Dupree stated that he has been in contact with Superintendent
Pastorek and this resolution reflects what he has shared with him regarding
Sherrouse. The resolution outlines the District's desire to continue
responsibility for Sherrouse Alternative School and to commit to make necessary
improvements. The District is requesting that the school be assigned to Level 0.
On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board approved
the resolution as presented by the superintendent. (See addendum for resolution)
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Dr. Dupree informed the Board that several members of the administrative staff
will attend the BESE Board meeting tomorrow and present the resolution.
Agenda Item 12 - Public Input on Non-Agenda Items
Mr. Terry Sawyer addressed the Board on behalf of the American Cancer Society
Relay for Life which will be held April 25th in Ouachita Parish.
Addition to the Agenda
It was moved by Mrs. Smith and seconded by Mr. Handy to add a proclamation to
the agenda regarding the Relay for Life.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 12:A - Addition to the Agenda - Proclamation: Relay for Life Day
On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board approved a
proclamation proclaiming April 25, 2008 as "Relay for Life Day" in the Monroe
City School System.
Mrs. Shelling suggested that Board members participate in honor of their Board
member.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Ms. Rachelle May addressed the Board on the superintendent's contract and the
difference in salaries of Superintendent Dupree and Superintendent Webber.
Marilyn Shaw addressed the Board on privatization of the Transportation
department.
Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on respect and compassion for students.
Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on schools in corrective action.
Action Item 13: - Adjournment/Recess
On a motion by Mr. Handy that was seconded by Mrs. Krutzer, the Board adjourned
at 7:50 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Victoria Dayton,
President
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent
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