The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, September 4, 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 Mickey Traweek. 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
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
Mrs. Brenda Shelling

Board Members Absent
Mr. Jessie Handy
Reverend Rodney McFarland, Sr.

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

Agenda Item 5 - 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.

Agenda Item 6 - Action from the Superintendent

Action Item 6:A - Proclamation: Accessibility Awareness Week

On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mr. Traweek, the Board accepted the proclamation from Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor of the State of Louisiana, declaring September 10-14, 2007 as Accessibility Awareness Week. (See addendum for proclamation).

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 6:B - Resolution to employ and pay Hammonds and Sills as "special counsel"

On a motion by Mrs. Shelling that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved a resolution to employ and pay Hammonds and Sills Attorneys at Law as "special counsel" provider regarding services rendered by Attorney Jon Guice in the Thomas Hutson tenure hearing in accordance with the Attorney General's findings regarding special counsel. (See addendum for resolution)

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Action Item 7: Adoption of the Consent Agenda

On a motion by Mrs. Krutzer that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board approved the following consent agenda items with the deletion of Action Item 10:A (appointment of fiscal agent):

7:A - Adoption of the Agenda
7:B - Adoption of the Minutes - August 21, 2007
7:C - Human Resources Agenda

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Mrs. Shelling requested a formal Personnel Committee meeting to discuss personnel matters in depth.

Agenda Item 8: Executive Director of Human Resources

Agenda Item 8:A and 8:B - First Reading: Cell phone usage policy

Mrs. Carroll briefed the Board on the cell phone usage policy for employees and students.

Agenda Item 9:A - Executive Director of Student Support Services

First Reading: Pupil Progression Plan

Dr. Dupree stated that due to massive revisions, this will be the first reading of the Pupil Progression Plan.

Mrs. Sallie Sutherland presented a brief overview of the revisions to the PPP.

Board members engaged in dialogue regarding changes to the plan. Board members asked that the draft be sent to all principals for their input.

Action Item 10:A - Chief Financial Officer - Appointment of Fiscal Agent

Deleted

Agenda Item 11: Board Committee Updates

Finance Committee

A Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th at noon.

Facilities Committee

Superintendent Dupree reported that the lighting engineer has assessed stadium lighting at Wossman High and Neville High. Lighting will be configured and fabricated by the engineer and replaced with a smaller amount of clear high wattage lights. Superintendent Dupree further stated that the equipment most likely will not be ready until after football season.

Policy Committee:

It was moved by Mrs. Krutzer to accept the Fine Arts Policy as printed.

Dr. Dupree stated that more research is needed before the policy is ready for approval.

Mrs. Shelling asked Mrs. Krutzer to give the Superintendent the opportunity to research the policy.

A Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11th at 11:00 a.m.

Agenda Item 12 - Superintendent's Announcements

No announcements from the Superintendent

Agenda Item 13 - Public Input on Non-Agenda Items

Ms. Debra Ratcliff, Mr. Donald Gibson and Mr. Tony Anderson addressed the Board on band instruments and uniforms for Carroll High School.

Ms. Gloria Walker addressed the Board on Title funds, benches for football players at Wossman, and BESE candidates.

Action Item 14 - Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Traweek that was seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

 

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