Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, December 1, 2020 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 Cooper. Mr. William R. Boles, Jr., Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Mr. Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Ms. Betty Ward-Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson and Mrs. Sharon Neal-Greer. Absent: Ms. Jennifer Haneline.
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Saulsberry and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A – Office of Public Health
Mr. Jeff Toms, Regional Director – Office of Public Health, presented current Louisiana Department of Health data for COVID-19. He noted that Region 8 leads the state with highest numbers of positive cases; however, current data shows most students are still safest in classrooms. It is important that parents take the pandemic seriously and keep students with symptoms or pending test results at home. Wearing mask, social distancing and handwashing is vital to reducing the spread of Covid-19. This is flu season and the recommendation is to get a flu shot; especially for anyone that is high-risk.
Agenda Item 2B – Mask Donation Presentation
Mr. Mark Randolph, CEO of Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-Monroe Medical Center and his executive team presented 580 clear reusable masks and numerous cloth mask to the district. He noted that clear masks are vital for speech pathologist and language arts teachers.
Agenda Item 2C – Disaster Recovery Workshop (Louisiana)
Mr. Tom Malmay and Ms. Beverly Lewis – Ouachita Resiliency, presented information on upcoming Disaster Recovery Workshops. The Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a sponsor for the workshops in Louisiana. These sessions are for parents, teachers, health care providers, and community members to learn how to help children deal with natural disasters. A certificate of attendance will be given to registered participants if they attend the entire session, and those hours may count towards professional development.
Action Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Saulsberry and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Board approved November 10, 2020 Board meeting minutes and Board policies: BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meeting), CBD (Employment of Superintendent), DJE (Purchasing), DJED (Bids and Quotations), EFD (Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery), GBDA (Employment of Retired Personnel), IDFAB (Sports Injury Management and Concussions), JGC (Student Health Services), JGCE (Child Abuse). The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda Items for Separate Consideration
No items for separate consideration.
Agenda Item 5A – Resolution Providing for the Issuance of $21,890,000 General Obligation School Refunding Bonds
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board approved a resolution providing for issuance, sale and delivery of twenty-one million eight hundred ninety thousand dollars ($21,890,000) general obligation School Refunding Bonds by the City of Monroe Special School District, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5B – Approval of Disciplinary Review Committee
Mr. Sam Moore, III, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, noted that La. Rev. Stat. §17:416.8 establishes the make-up of the Discipline Policy Review Committee. Each city and parish school board shall establish a committee composed of sixteen members as follows:
* Five classroom teachers to be elected by their peers with at least one teacher each representing an elementary, middle or junior high, and high school: Ms. Courtney Parker, Ms. Linday Reynolds, Mr. Jack Russell, Mr. Regan Wise, Mr. Ortadius Brass
* One special education teacher to be elected by his peers: Ms. Alicia Mitchell
* Two guidance counselors to be elected by their peers: Mr. Kendrick Sheppard, Mr. Chris Waters.
* Two principals to be elected by their peers, one representing an elementary school and one representing a high school: Ms. Toni McCarty, Dr. Harrington Watson
* One school bus operator to be elected by his peers: Ms. Candace Spencer
* One child welfare and attendance supervisor to be elected by his peers: Mr. Sam Moore, III
* One school board member to be elected by his peers: Mr. Rick Saulsberry
* The local superintendent or his designee: Ms. Serena White.
* Two parents to be appointed by a method as provided by rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: Mr. Marquette Marshall, Ms. Rochelle Williams.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved the MCSB Disciplinary Review Committee. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 5A – Report of Superintendent
* 2020 Principal of the Year: Dr. Harrington Watson (Wossman High), Mr. Jerry Mayhall (MLK Middle), Ms. Mary DeWitt (Cypress Point Elementary)
* The district partnered with the City of Monroe to implement the “Shots Fired” program. Devices have been placed at various location throughout the city and on three district schools. The device alerts the police department of the exact location when shots are detected.
* Reminder: Free COVID-19 testing is available for MCS students and staff at the school-based health clinic located at Carroll Jr. High.
Agenda Item 5B – Financial Reports
* The junior and senior high school bathroom project should be ready for bids by mid-February.
* Repair work will begin for schools that received superficial damage from the hurricane.
* LED lights have been installed in the gymnasium at Carroll High and Neville is next for installation.
* Detailed financial reports can be viewed in BoarDocs.
Agenda Item 5C – Report of Board Members
Mr. Willson thanked Primary Health Services Center for working with the district to provide free COVID-19 testing.
Mr. Saulsberry stated that he is disappointed that some schools chose not to participate in the flex day as approved by the Board.
Mr. Johnson stated that he is disappointed in the actions of some principals as it relates to the flex day. He said that he asked for clarification on the motion because the wording allowed schools to implement the flex day at their discretion.
Mrs. Greer voiced her concerns on some schools not following procedures set forth by the Board. The vote was to implement the flex day districtwide; not at individual schools.
President Cooper reported that she is a part of the planning team for the Early Childhood Initiative. This initiative, sponsored by the National League of Cities, focuses on building early learning in the city of Monroe.
Agenda Item 6– Future Meetings
Board Meetings – January 12, 2021 and February 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 7 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Bottom of Form
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Betty Ward-Cooper, Board President Brent Vidrine, Ed., 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 laura.jacobs@mcschools.net.
