Monroe City School Board of Education 2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201 MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:00p.m. by Board President Betty Ward Cooper. Pastor Alonzo Clark of St.
Luke B.C. offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Jennifer Haneline, Betty Ward Cooper, Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, and Brenda Shelling
Absent – Brandon Johnson
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
Mrs. Haneline requested agenda item 3G, Gallopade be separate, add it to new business agenda item 5G; change agenda item 3J from (duplicate) Great Minds – Phd Science to NIET
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved the agenda with the above changes. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 2A Presentation – 4-H LSU Ag Center Program Updated – Cathy Agan and Bethany Corona
The 4-H programs with notable improvements including a 100% increase in Monroe City schools to 11 clubs, a national grant of $300, Rookie Club of the Year award at Carroll Junior High, camp scholarship funding of $1250 for five students, and additional initiatives such as the Read and Ride grant providing four stationary fitness bikes.
Board President Cooper invited Cathy Agan, Bethany Corona and the National winners to the next board meeting to be recognized.
Agenda Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the board approved the Board of Education Minutes July 15, 2025; approval to expand by mutual agreement the scope of the Academy of Collaborative Education (“ACE”) Charter School food services contract to also provide breakfast service, in satisfaction of the Louisiana Department of Education’s Community Eligibility Provision program requirements; Great Minds PhD Science; Renaissance STAR Reading/Math; Hester Consulting; Renaissance DNA; Noel Consulting; Great Minds Eureka Math Coaching and NIET. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 4A – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
It was moved by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Berry to expand the agenda item 4A to suspend board policy that requires a 30-day review of new curriculum and consider the Gallopade Curriculum. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Public Comment: Mrs. Krutzer inquired if the board attorney, Mr. Lawrence, had reviewed all the contracts that are being approved tonight.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved the Gallopade Social Studies Curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A – Suspension of Board Policy BD to permit immediate adoption of the Policies and Policy Amendments required by state statute and BESE Rules recommended by Forethought Consulting; appearing on August 5, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda (referenced in the Policy Alert).
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved suspending board policy BD. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5B – Approval of Policies IFA – Instructional Materials; IFBGA – Student Computer and Internet Use; JBD – Student Absences and Excuses; JCDAF – Bullying and Hazing; JDE – Expulsion; JGCE – Child Abuse; JGCF – Behavioral Health Support for Students
Attorney Lawrence explained the forethought policy package, which includes the July 2025 submission incorporating legislative actions and BESE rule changes. The policies are effective August 1st and are offered for immediate adoption without first reading. Agenda 5A is requested so that agenda 5B can be acted as described.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved Policies IFA – Instructional Materials; IFBGA – Student Computer and Internet Use; JBD – Student Absences and Excuses; JCDAF – Bullying and Hazing; JDE – Expulsion; and JGCE – Child Abuse; JGCF – Behavioral Health Support for Students. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5C – Approval of additional procedures to supplement Board Policy GBK governing employee disciplinary hearings conducted before hearing officers required by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:443 and La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:444 and Agenda Item 5D – Approval of disciplinary hearing officers list to conduct employee disciplinary hearings in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:443 and La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:444 (5C&5D taken together)
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved the additional procedures to supplement Board Policy GBK governing employee disciplinary hearings conducted before hearing officers and approval of disciplinary hearing officers list to conduct employee disciplinary hearings in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:443 and La. Rev.
Stat. Ann. §17:444. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5E – Adoption of the Millage Rates for 2025
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved the adoption of the Millage Rates for 2025. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5F – Proposed Extracurricular Supplement for Assistant Band Directors
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Ms. Haneline the board approved the proposed extracurricular supplement for Assistant Band Directors. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda item 6A&B – May 2025 Financial Reports and Superintendent Report
General Fund –
Revenue is approximately $1.4M more than in May 2024. 1968 Sales Tax
Revenues have an overall total increase of $47K, which is .77% more than the prior year overall.
1994 Sales Tax
Revenues have an overall decrease of $65K, which is 0.67% less than the prior year. 2001 Sales Tax
Revenues have an overall decrease of $131K, which is 0.67% less than the prior year. Federal Programs & Funding
- Finance committee discussed federal funding; updates will be given in the federal programs meeting on Wednesday.
- Attendees include federal program directors throughout the state.
Principal Trainings & Leadership - One-on-one training has begun for new principals, with two sessions held today.
Professional Development & Recognition
- Recent administrative meeting 2025-2026 theme: “Lights, Camera Achieve”.
- Professional Development feedback from principals and administrators was overwhelmingly positive.
- A veteran administrator (53 years of service) praised this year’s back-to-school PD as the best.
- District recognized in 2025 as a top 3 district among 69+ statewide for strong system performance and morale.
- Superintendent and Board expressed appreciation to the teachers, staff, community, and ongoing efforts to push forward improvements
- District continues to push for successes, with commitment to grow and improve
- Superintendent emphasized importance of upcoming needs assessment to move forward on making changes for our students
Retirements Recognized
- Ms. Stephanie Cain – 33 years, Sallie Humble teacher.
- Ms. Sonya Fields – 30 years of service.
- Ms. Patrick Taylor – 31 years of service.
All principal positions are filled:
- Neville High School – Karari Hanks appointed principal, well-supported by staff and community.
- Lexington – Dr. Heather Kennedy appointed principal. Tony McCarty joins district leadership after 12 years as principal.
- Superintendent expressed pride in new leadership and emphasized focus on meaningful professional development
- Carroll High School – Dr. Cassandra Shelling appointed principal, strong start with staff solidification and development
- Roy Neal Shelling – Mrs. Shandra Naylor Smith appointed
Superintendent thanked Attorney Lawrence, the Board, for support and confidence in leadership.
Department Updates
- Child Nutrition: All corrective actions completed and accepted.
- Transportation: District exploring new software to improve efficiency.
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Ms. Haneline thanked the staff
- voiced her concerns about the cashless
- Neville High School principal creating a noticeable positive shift in school climate.
- Excitement around Neville High School’s new band
Mrs. Howard explained the challenges with full implementation of the student funds cashless system. Tomorrow there will be the initial cashless system training for the staff. Two more trainings will be held before implementing on school level.
Mrs. Shelling:
- Acknowledged Ms. Haneline presentation on vaping at the Southern Region conference in Lake Charles.
- Instructional support was targeted at the meeting. Handouts were available for review Mr. Willson:
- Wished all the employees an excellent and safe year as well as the students
- He and Superintendent Moore discussed visiting corporate entities’ businesses about sponsoring our schools.
- Mr. Willson committed his bank to sponsor J.S. Clark
- Request a breakdown by the end of next week of all school board members travel expense from July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025
- Southern Region was a great conference. he will post on his personal face book page highlights on unleashing passion, purpose, and performance in the younger generation and developing a personal competitive advantage along with photos.
- Another session was on high dosage tutoring supporting our teachers and investing in students.
Superintendent Moore reported that he and Superintendent Todd Guice of Ouachita Parish Schools recorded a 4-minute commercial promoting the partnership between Monroe City Schools and Ouachita Parish. The video is available on both districts’ websites and Facebook pages.
Mr. Sampognaro echoed Superintendent Moore’s remarks, noting that the district is currently in the top three and expressing confidence that with the new team, they can aim for number one
Agenda Item 7 – Board of Education Meetings
September 9, 2025, October 7, 2025 and November 4, 2025 at 6:00 pm Mrs. Shelling commended the staff for being present
Agenda Item 8 Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
/Betty Ward Cooper/ /Sam L . Moore III/
Betty Ward Cooper Sam L. Moore, III
Board President 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.robinsons@mcschools.net.
