Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Jennifer Haneline.. Prayer was offered by Simran Emaus and her two boys that attend Lexington Elementary School. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wossman High School Color Guard.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Mrs. Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Daryll Berry, Mr. Brandon Johnson, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mr. Johnson the board approved to adopt the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A Point of Pride
The Board Vice President, Brandon Johnson introduced the Wossman High School division II non-select Girls’ three-time back-to-back state champs and Boys’ basketball team state champions. The Monroe City School Board Recognized the girls Head Coach Otis Robinson, Head Coach Casey Jones, and their team.
Action Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and Seconded by Mr. Johnson the board approve to move to consent agenda.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson, the board approved moving agenda item 3P to consent items for separate consideration item 4D.
Public comment: Mrs. Krutzer commented on agenda item 3Q and stated it wasn’t clear what school fund or activities were being investigated. She added last year’s entity there were problems with student activity funds and appreciated them addressing the issue. Mrs. Krutzer asked in future years, will they have internally all school funds audited. Ms. Haneline stated this has been discussed and including potentially adding an internal monitor that goes and helps the schools ensure that everyone is in compliance with the student fund account.
Mrs. Krutzer inquired about the summary that is sent in on the compliance questionnaire referring to the public being able to see the budget book 15 days in advance. She asked if the public could be provided with the same book that the board has. Mrs. Krutzer inquired about the disclosure of compensation reimbursement benefits and other payments. Ms. Haneline stated and confirmed with Attorney Guice, she cannot comment on that question due to some factors that are still under litigation at this time. Mrs. Krutzer confirmed that once the board has approved this, it will be sent to CRI the legislative auditors. Ms. Haneline responded, yes.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the board approve March 14, 2024 and March 19, 2024 Board meeting minutes; Approval to contract with the Architecture Alliance Group, LLC to provide architecture services for the MLKJrJHS outdoor learning pavilions project; Amendment of Driver’s Education Fee, to be approved to Board Policy {Ref. Policy IDDE};Permission to Advertise for Bids for 2024-2025 School Food Service Products; Permission to Advertise for Bids for 2024-2025 Instructional and Janitorial Supplies; Approval of Architect’s Contract (Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School Outdoor Learning Pavilions); Approval of Architect’s Contract (Neville High School Girls’ Softball Batting Cage Project); Extension of Cooperative Endeavor/Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Monroe and the Boys & Girls Club of North Louisiana; Approval of Resolution authorizing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Treasurer for the State of Louisiana for receipt and use of Act 397 (La. Legis. 2023) supplemental appropriation funding for Neville High School; Approval of Joint Agreement to provide food service to Academy of Collaborative Education {Charter School} in accordance with the National School Lunch Program; Approval of Legislative Auditor’s Compliance Questionnaire for FY 2023; Approval of Management’s Response to 2023 preliminary Audit reporting; Approval for Neville High School cafeteria improvements; Approval of Superintendent’s Contract; Authorization approving Carroll High School Band Room change order; and Approval to authorize repairs to high school football artificial turf fields (s) through contract with Hellas at the published repair costs supplied by said vendor (to be handled in conjunction with running track replacements at the three high schools.
Action Item 4A Consent Items for Separate Consideration – Approval of Superintendent’s Contract
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling for the approval of this item and then open for discussion.
Attorney Guice noted representations were made previously to the public about the superintendent’s contract and one was to go through the contract with the Board’s permission. Mr. Guice laid some basic frameworks down about the contract. Attorney Guice pointed out the differences that exist in this contract. Mr. Guice noted that there are two dates in the opening paragraph of the contract referencing March 14th and April 16th. He wanted the record to be clear that if anyone wanted to go back and look at the minutes to figure out when they voted on the hiring of Mr. Moore and when his contract was approved, these are the two dates. The contract runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. Attorney Guice gave an overview of the Superintendent’s contract.
Mrs. Cooper suggested adding the Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce to the list of organizations. Once this contract is approved, the law obligates us to mail a copy to Dr. Brumley, at the Department of Education.
Mr. Willson suggested that in order to get an incentive, the school should move up a letter grade and then the bonus kicks in. Mr. Willson believes 3 years is too long due to Mr. Moore is brand new and the longest contract the past Superintendent was two years. These are the changes he would like to see. Mr. Johnson stated time is needed to get it right. Yes, he is a new Superintendent, but we need to allow him to have corrective action plans and allow these plans to successfully go through. Mr. Johnson believes that we should be fair and give him some time. Ms. Haneline explained how he’s being rated and evaluated. She noted every quarter there will be two board members to sit and meet with the Superintendent to go over those evaluated measures.
Mr. Willson made the motion to approve the contract with the two changes, 1. being moved from a three to a two-year contract and 2. for the incentive to be delineated based on the grade improvement as opposed to one point or percentage improvement. No one second the motion. Motion failed.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved the Superintendent’s contract as written including the one point and three-year contract.
In favor: Mr. Sampognaro, Mr. Berry, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Shelling, and Ms. Haneline
Opposed: Mr. Willson
Action Item 4B – Authorization approving Carroll High School Band Room Change Order
On a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved to table the change order for Carroll High School band room until a site visit is completed by him, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Berry, and Superintendent Moore.
Action Item 4C – Approval to authorize repairs to high school football artificial turf fields (s) through contract with Hellas at the published repair costs supplied by said vendor (to be handled in conjunction with running track replacements at the three high schools.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Johnson the board approved to authorize repairs to the high school’s football artificial turf fields (s) through contract with Hellas at the published repair costs supplied by said vendor (to be handled in conjunction with running track replacements at the three high schools.
Superintendent Moore gave a little background on the three high schools tracks and artificial turf. They decided the best interest for the system financially and continuing to keep students safe is to clean sweep the tracks and field with necessary repairs which came in at a cost of 5,500 per artificial field versus replacing the fields at the cost of 500,000 per field. The total cost for the tracks is a little over 606,000. They will be able to fund this through the 2001 sales tax and not the general fund as previously stated to Mrs. Krutzer.
The motion carried unanimously.
Action Item 4D – (out of sequence, moved from agenda item P) Approval of naming the new band/multipurpose building at Neville High School the “Sidney A. Seegers Multipurpose Center.”
Mr. Doug Seegers, a 1979 graduate of Neville High School said a few words on behalf of his dad. Doug, his sister Emily and brother Bob, the entire family and the majority that graduated, or will graduate from Neville High School thanked the Board for considering the new multi-purpose building at Neville High School in honor of their father, grandfather, and great grandfather. They spoke with his dad about this and as expected he is extremely humbled, a generous gesture and extremely honored. It’s been over 70 years since his dad first walked up the steps as a teacher at Neville High School. He left the superintendency almost 40 years ago. Mr. Seegers had a record of service to the community teaching locally across the state and the nation. His impact on educational legacy of service will be felt for years to come. Having the Seegers Multi-purpose Center will serve the students at Neville, serve his great grandchildren, and the generation to come as they approach the centennial of Neville High School in a few short years.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro, the Board approved naming the new band/multipurpose building at Neville High School the “Sidney A. Seegers Multipurpose Center.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A – Approval of Chief Academic Officer
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro. Mr. Willson made a motion to increase the pay range to $115, 000 to $120,000 to be commensurate with the other school systems that have similar positions. After discussion. Mr. Willson made a friendly amendment will be a minimum of $110,000 and maximum salary of $120,000. Mr. Sampognaro seconded the friendly amendment.
In favor: Mr. Sampognaro, Mr. Berry, Mr. Willson, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Haneline
Opposed: Mrs. Shelling.
Agenda Item 6A – December 2023 Financial Reports
Mr. Johnson noted Mrs. Howard gave an overview of the financial reports in the 5pm Finance committee meeting. This information is located on BoardDocs.
Agenda Item 6B – Superintendent Reports
Mrs. White reported on the academic side, LEAP testing has started. She applied for the Super app and received the highest in all the years applied, part of it $972,400 is for the CLSD grant which is used for literacy coaches, tutoring, and material. She received 536,331 for redesign for core curriculum and professional development.
Superintendent Sam Moore was glad to hear from Mrs. Howard. They are in the process of making necessary corrective actions in accordance to the audit report. Practices are put in place and plan to continue training and moving forward. First round of phase I staffing was completed today. It was a two day process. Some schools will be invited back for phase II staffing. April was the initial time to receive the electric buses but due to the additional air conditioning the time has been pushed back to June. Superintendent Moore will continue to communication with the Board.
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Shelling noted that she attended the National School Board Association Conference in New Orleans. She will be sharing some information on this at a later date. One item was the superintendent contract.
Mr. Berry – no report
Mr. Willson – no report
Mr. Sampognaro – no report
Mrs. Cooper noted she attended the National School Board Association New Orleans and attended a lot of great workshops regarding educational partnership, businesses non-profit and public schools education. May 1st at 5:15pm there will be a curriculum committee meeting.
Mr. Johnson – no report
Mrs. Haneline gave a shout out to Neville High School Tennis Team dominated regionals on yesterday and today and moving on to state.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the board convene in executive session at 7:48 and should be no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. The motion carried on an unanimous vote.
Reconvened in Open Session
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Berry the board reconvened in open session at 7:55pm. The motion caried unanimously.
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson to authorize the attorney to defend the suit, and to seek to recover all the sums of the board, all as discussed in executive session .
The motion carried unanimously.
Action Item 9 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson, the meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
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____________ Jennifer Haneline/__________________
Jennifer Haneline
Board President
Bottom of FormBottom of Form
/Sam Moore/______________________ _/Serena White/_________________
Sam L. Moore, III Serena White
Superintendent, Elect Interim Co-Superintendent
Note: These minutes summarize the final decisions made by the Board at the referenced meeting. This meeting was also audio recorded and that recording is available for review by contacting the board clerk at tonya.robinson@mcschools.net
