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The Monroe City School Board met
in regular session, Tuesday, March 18, 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. Rodney
McFarland. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
Item 4: Roll Call
Board Members Present
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Dayton
Mr. James Mickey Traweek
Mr. Jessie Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland, Sr.
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Board Member Absent
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Krutzer
Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James Dupree
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mr. Andrew Hill
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence
Action Item 5: Adoption of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Mr. Handy to add 7:D - Surplus sale
of Georgia Tucker, delete 12 (Executive Session: MCSB vs. Herbert Land), delete
Human Resources agenda section B, and approve the following consent agenda
items:
5:A - Adoption of the Agenda
5:B - Adoption of the Minutes - March 4, 2008
5:C - Awarding of Bid: Fitness Center Equipment
5:D - Human Resources Agenda
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 6 - Presidents Report and Announcements
President Dayton thanked everyone for their attendance and asked that all cell
phones be turned off. The public was informed on procedures for addressing the
Board on agenda and non-agenda items.
President Dayton welcomed Mayor Jamie Mayo and all other guests.
Agenda Item 7 - Action from the Superintendent
Agenda Item 7:A - Certificate of Achievement
Superintendent Dupree and Mayor Mayo, assisted by Mrs. Foreman, presented
certificates of achievement to each member of the Neville High School Bengal
Belles drill team. Board members congratulated the team on their American
All-Star Dance championship.
Action Item 7:B - Certificate of Achievement
Superintendent Dupree and Mayor Mayo, assisted by Mrs. Foreman, presented
certificates of achievement to each member of the Wossman High School Boys
Basketball team. The basketball team won the 3A District Championship. Mrs.
Foreman introduced the Coach of the Year, Mr. Dale Zimmerman.
Action Item 7:C - Resolution: Grievance Ruling
It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Rev. McFarland to affirm the
superintendent's recommendation on the Level IV grievance.
The motion carried on a majority vote. Mrs. Smith opposed.
Action Item Agenda 7:D - Surplus Sale of Georgia Tucker
Dr. Dupree noted that several parties are interested in the Georgia Tucker
property. He further stated that in order to sell the property, it must first be
declared as surplus.
Attorney Lawrence stated that there must be four separate motions, and those
motions must be made in a certain sequence.
Mrs. Shelling asked if a minimum bid will be established.
Attorney Lawrence stated that the price can not be less than the appraised
value. Attorney Lawrence noted that a revised appraisal is needed.
It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to declare Georgia
Tucker School site as surplus property.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Traweek to authorize the
advertisement of notice setting a date, time, place and conditions for the sale
of the property.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
It was moved by Mr. Traweek and seconded by Rev. McFarland to authorize a
current appraisal of the property.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Traweek to engage a title
closing company to facilitate the sale of the Georgia Tucker property.
Rev. McFarland stated that a portion of the school is located on property owned
by the City of Monroe. He further stated that everything must be in order before
the Board can move forward with the sale.
Mr. Traweek stated that the City of Monroe owns the northern third of the
property.
Dr. Dupree stated that whoever buys the property will have to negotiate with the
City of Monroe to acquire that portion of the property.
Rev. McFarland asked if the Board could petition the City to donate their
portion of the property to the district.
Attorney Lawrence stated that he didn't know if the City could donate the
property, but they may be able to joint venture with the district.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 8:A - GASB 45
GASB is the Government Accounting Standards Board that deals with other post
employment benefits. Six school districts across northeast Louisiana have joined
together and negotiated a discounted rate of $12,150 to do an actuarial study to
assess liabilities. It is the recommendation of the administration to contact
Milliman to perform the required service.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved
the recommendation of the administration to contract with Milliman to perform an
actuarial study to determine the future needs of the district subject to the
terms being worked out to the satisfactory of the school district.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 8:B - Board Travel Policy and Guidelines
Ms. Gloria Walker asks that all employees receive the same mileage allowance as
Board members because of the rising cost of fuel.
Mrs. Flowers stated that she was asked to provide information to the Board
regarding travel guidelines because of the high cost areas that Board members
are required to travel. She further stated that research shows that $.44 is the
standard that is allowed by the state for mileage. She also recommends $50.00
per diem for meals.
Mrs. Shelling stated that the Board is allowed $36.00 per day for meals out of
state. She further stated that if the per diem of $50.00 is approved, any
additional money spent will be the responsibility of the Board member.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Smith to approve the
recommendation of the administration to allow $.44 for mileage and $50.00 per
diem for meals.
Mr. Traweek asked if the Board could approve travel for employees as well as the
Board.
Mrs. Shelling stated that it is okay with her to approve mileage for employees
at this time.
Mr. Traweek offered a friendly amendment to allow the same cost for mileage as
for Board members.
Mrs. Shelling accepted the friendly amendment.
Mrs. Flowers stated that since the rate will be used by everyone, it is
recommended that the district track the state rate.
Dr. Dupree noted that district employees also travel to high cost areas and
asked the Board to consider the same per diem for meal for employees.
Mrs. Shelling withdrew her initial motion and restated the motion.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Smith, that the mileage
reimbursement rate for Board travel and employee travel be fixed at the
prevailing mileage reimbursement rate for state employees set by the Louisiana
Division of Administration (currently $.44 per mile), that the meal cost per
diem rate be adjusted to $50.00 per day for Board members, and that the meal
cost per diem rate be adjusted to $50.00 per day for employees who travel out of
state, effective immediately.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 9 - Board Committee Update
President Dayton stated that the March 20th work session has been cancelled and
will be rescheduled after Spring break.
Agenda Item 10 - Superintendent's Announcements
A timeline for Sherrouse was presented to Board members. Board member
participation is requested at several of the meetings.
Agenda Item 11 - Public Input on Non-agenda Items
Mr. Iuemhotep Muhammad spoke on behalf of the Committee to renew Superintendent
Dupree's contact. He further stated that if the contract is not renewed, the
committee would like an explanation from the Board as to why it will not be
renewed.
Mayor Jamie Mayo addressed the Board on the renewal of the superintendent's
contract. Each Board member was given a letter asking that the Board reconsider
the renewing of the contract. Mayor Mayo said, "If the contract renewal is not
reconsidered, I feel as though it will have an adverse affect on our City." He
further stated that he can not commend Dr. Dupree without commending the entire
Board because the Board has worked together to make great things happen.
Ms. Gloria Walker expressed her concerns for Clara Hall and the need to keep the
present Superintendent.
Mr. Joseph Miller yielded his time to Mr. Robert Clark. Mr. Clark stated that he
has received numerous calls regarding the superintendent's contract renewal. He
further stated that on behalf of the community and the children of Monroe, he is
asking the Board to reconsider renewing the contract.
Willie Hunter, Jr. addressed the Board on the renewal of the Superintendent's
contract. He stated that test scores are on the rise and Dr. Dupree has done
what has been asked of him.
Mr. Rick Miller stated that if the Board is concerned with the children of
Monroe City Schools, the Board should reconsider the renewal of Dr. Dupree's
contract. He noted that schools have improved with the present leadership.
Ms. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on raises from the State for teachers. She
also addressed the Board on the district's finances. She noted that a school
system is not a business and should not operate as such.
Board Comment on Non-Agenda Items
Rev. McFarland stated that he has received several calls from colleagues and
friends concerning the superintendent's contract renewal. He stated that because
of his colleague's presence at the meeting, he has changed his position
regarding the contract renewal. Rev. McFarland requested that the
superintendent's contract be placed back on the next agenda to be revisited.
Mr. Handy thanked everyone for the comments made on behalf of the
superintendent. He also stated to the Board that it is his wish to revisit the
superintendent's contract.
Mrs. Smith thanked everyone in attendance for being concerned about the students
of Monroe City Schools. She also stated that funds are needed so that programs
can continue.
President Dayton thanked everyone for their valuable comments. She further
stated that this is a part of the process, and the Board has to do what is in
the best interest of the children.
Rev. McFarland asked that the work session in reference to the superintendent's
search process be placed on hold until after the Board has revisited the
superintendent's contract renewal.
President Dayton stated that the request to place the search process on hold
will be left up to the majority of the Board.
Action Item 12: Adjournment/Recess
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board adjourned
at 7:25 p.m.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Victoria Dayton,
President
Dr. James A. Dupree, Superintendent
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