The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 16, 2007 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
Mrs. Victoria "Vickie" Krutzer
Mr. James Mickey Traweek
Mr. Jessie Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland, Sr.

Board Members Absent
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Superintendent and Administrative Staff
Dr. James Dupree
Mrs. Derenda Flowers
Mr. Andrew Hill
Mr. Bobby Williams
Dr. Tammye Turpin
Ms. Mamie Williams
Mrs. Julie Staley
Mrs. Vickie Irwin
Mrs. Betty Carroll
Mrs. Teresa Foreman
Ms. Karla Bowlin
Attorney L. Douglas Lawrence

Action Item 5: Adoption of the Consent Agenda

On a motion by Rev. McFarland that was seconded by Mr. Handy, the Board approved the following consent agenda items with the deletion of agenda item 7:A (SIG presentation) and agenda item 7:B: (Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant presentation)

5:A - Adoption of the Agenda
5:B - Adoption of the Minutes - September 18, 2007
5:C - Human Resources Agenda
5:D - Contract Extension: McKee Electronics
5:E - Contract: E-rate Project Manager
5:F - Awarding of Bid: School Food Service Equipment
5:G - Awarding of Bid: Pizza Delivery
5:H - Permission to advertise for bids for high school fitness equipment
Funding source - PEP Grant

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Krutzer asked that the Superintendent look into a different format for Board minutes. She stated that she would like to see detailed minutes rather than a summarization. Mrs. Krutzer also asked that all contracts contain the date of Board approval.

Agenda Item 6 - President's Reports and Announcements

President Dayton thanked everyone for their attendance. The public was informed on procedures for addressing the Board on agenda and non-agenda items. President Dayton asked that all cell phones are turned off.

A master calendar has been e-mailed to all Board for members. Additional items or suggestions should be sent to the president and/or superintendent.

President Dayton will be appointing Board members to the following special task committees:

Technology: (Board approved) - Committee will assess current technology in the district including previous assessment and plans submitted to State of LA. Committee will offer recommendations for improving efficiency of operation by utilizing technology and improving student achievement - E-rate potential.

Facilities/Maintenance: (Board approved) - Committee will assess and prioritize physical plant needs for long range planning and for utilization of QZAB money available to the district.

Central Office Salaries/Staffing: - Committee will assess current staffing, salaries, and job duties. Committee will make recommendations regarding salary revisions and staffing to improve efficiency of operations and support to schools.

Board Retreat/Goal Setting: - Committee will make recommendation to Board for retreat process, location, timing, program and goal setting to address systems issues.

If any Board member is interested in serving on these committees, contact President Dayton.

Agenda Item 7 - Action from the Superintendent

Agenda Item 7:A - Presentation: 2007 Summer Institute for the Gifted

Deleted

Agenda Item 7:B - Presentation: Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant

Deleted

A Board work session will be scheduled for presentation of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant.

Agenda Item 7:C - Resolution to schedule a tenure hearing for Ingrid Shaw

Public Input

Mrs. Sandie Lollie addressed the Board on policies and procedures for scheduling a tenure hearing. Ms. Lollie asked for clarification from Attorney Lawrence.

Board Discussion

Dr. Dupree stated that it is his recommendation to schedule a tenure hearing to consider the removal of Ingrid Shaw from her position as a tenured bus operator from the Monroe City School District based on written charges.

Attorney Lawrence stated that speaking hypothetically, there are certain events that are relevant to bus operators that are under the scope or range of the federal law and are pertinent to these proceedings. There is a segment that states that federal law pre-empts all state laws. Because of safety sensitive issues with bus operators, the district as the employer should do certain things; failure to do so could result in fines being levied against the district. The federal law supplants Board policy and also pre-empts any state law that is in conflict with that law. It is these provisions that govern this particular case.

Mrs. Dayton asked Attorney Lawrence if it is appropriate to proceed on the recommendation of the superintendent.

Attorney Lawrence stated that it is his recommendation to proceed.

Mrs. Dayton asked Attorney Lawrence if it was in the legal parameters to have someone's name placed on the agenda for a tenure hearing.

Attorney Lawrence stated that it is legal.

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Krutzer, the Board adopted a resolution to schedule a bus operator tenure hearing on the charges to remove Ingrid Shaw from her job duties as bus operator for the Monroe City School District and to schedule the tenure hearing for Tuesday, November 6, 2007 to commence immediately following the 5:30 p.m. Board meeting at the MCSB Media Center.

Rev. McFarland stated that he has a problem with this because the person wasn't notified.

Attorney Lawrence stated that he observed documentation where numerous attempts were made by the administration to serve notice. Attempts were made by Mr. Hill and Mrs. Jacobs to contact Ms. Shaw via phone and through written correspondence.

The motion carried on a majority vote. Rev. McFarland opposed.

Agenda Item 8

Superintendent Dupree introduced the E-rate project manager, Mr. Greg Hutts. Mr. Hutts briefed that Board on the progress of the project and stated that the project should be completed on time.

Board Committee Update

Finance Committee: A Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th at 12:00 p.m. at central office. A presentation for QZAB and a financial report for E-rate will be presented.

Policy Committee: Mrs. Krutzer will contact Attorney Lawrence to set up a Policy Committee meeting. Mrs. Krutzer stated that if federal law supersedes Board policy, the Board needs to incorporate those policies into the district's policies.

Facilities Committee: Mr. Traweek reported that the fence at Cypress Point and the driveway at Clark are complete, and the bleachers at Neville are near completion.

Agenda Item 9 - Superintendent's Announcements

None

Agenda Item 10 - Public Input on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Cathy Brown read a statement to the Board on the need for new instruments for the drum line at Neville High School.

Dr. Dupree stated that band equipment is purchased according to a standard compiled by band directors based on current inventory and number of band students. Dr. Dupree assured the Board that unusable and unsafe instruments are being replaced.

Rev. McFarland stated that it is his desire to have these type of matters handled without bringing them to the Board.

Ms. Rizzo, Ms. G.W. Smith and Ms. E. Weaver addressed the Board on unsafe instruments and the drum line at Neville.

Mr. Brett Smith stated that he received an incomplete list of instruments from Neville that contained item numbers only. Mr. Smith contacted Ms. King for a student roster and additional information on the requested instruments. After receiving the requested information, the list was given to the superintendent.

Mrs. Dayton stated that the band instruments at Neville should be brought up to standards.

Dr. Dupree stated that a standard is being used to order instruments for all bands.

Ms. Lollie addressed the Board on Board policies. She further stated that the policy manual is no good if federal law supersedes local law.

Ms. Ingrid Shaw addressed the Board on procedures for a tenures hearing. Ms. Shaw stated that she is confused by the process.

Action Item 11 - Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Handy that was seconded by Rev. McFarland, the Board adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

 

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