Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, February 23, 2021 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 Daryll Berry. Ms. Thelma Standifer, Mary Goss Baptist Church, offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Ms. Betty Ward Cooper, and Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer.
Absent: Mr. Brandon Johnson
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2 – Recognition of Black History Month
President Berry stated that the pandemic has limited Black History programs. However, he wanted to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans. He encouraged everyone to visit Carroll Jr. High School and see photo displays of prominent local and national African Americans.
Agenda Item 3 – Proposed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Program at Carroll High
Ms. Lauren Ramos, Acadian Companies High School Outreach Coordinator, provided a Power Point Presentation highlighting the EMT program.
* Building proper EMT programs in schools is important.
* The Explore Program allows students to shadow EMT staff while working local events and during real emergencies.
* Tuition assistance and scholarships are offered.
* Hours can be attained during high school to be used toward certification.
* Career ready opportunities are available.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved January 19, 2021 Board meeting minutes, approved an Affiliation Agreement between Monroe City School Board/ Carroll High School Medical Magnet and Ouachita Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, and granted permission to advertise for bids for renovation of junior and senior high school restrooms. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
Action Item 6 – Naming of Carroll High Science Building in Honor of Matthew H. Williams, Jr.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved the naming of Carroll High School Science Building in honor of Matthew H. Williams, Jr. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 7A – Naming of Carver Elementary Library in Honor of Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved the naming of Carver Elementary School Library in honor of Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 7B – Naming of Barkdull Faulk Elementary Gymnasium in Honor of Cleoria Dunn
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved the naming of Barkdull Faulk Elementary School Gymnasium in honor of Ms. Cleoria Dunn. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 8A – Financial Reports
* There were no significant findings found during the audit.
* Auditors will provide a full report at the March board meeting.
* Detailed December 2020 financial reports can be viewed in BoardDocs.
Agenda Item 8B – Report of Superintendent
* Acclamations were given to three MCS cafeteria workers – Ms. Leslie Woods, Ms. Debra White and Ms. Savannah Miles – for feeding 85 passengers on the Greyhound bus that were stranded in Monroe during the snowstorm.
* J. S. Clark Elementary has been selected to participate in the Amazon Future Engineers Program. Fifth and sixth grade students will learn coding and sketching.
* Beginning Tuesday, March 2, staff can receive the COVID vaccine at Primary Health Care.
* Staff will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine from Oschner LSU Health and St. Francis Medical Center – additional information is forthcoming.
* A meeting was held with Primary Health Care to discuss the possibility of placing a School- Based Health Care Center at Wossman High School in the old field house.
* Louisiana Federation of Teachers will be donating 50-100 books to each schools’ library.
Agenda Item 8C – Report of Board Members
Ms. Greer reported on the February 9, 2021 Facilities Committee Meeting. She commended Mr. Monroe and his staff for working hard to ensure schools were ready to receive students after the snowstorm and below average freezing temperatures.
Ms. Cooper noted that she attended several very informative district virtual professional development sessions.
Ms. Haneline thanked the Federation of Teachers for the book donations. She thanked Ms. Stephanie Weaver, retired School Food Service Supervisor, for her service on the local and state level.
Mr. Saulsberry thanked employees for their dedication and stated that he would like to see employees receive compensation if possible. He encouraged everyone to participate in Cypress Point Elementary Virtual Black History Program, scheduled for Thursday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Berry noted that his focus as president is morale of staff, teacher professional development, student scores, parental involvement, and community partnerships.
Comments: The families of Dr. LaVargne Gunn-Ford, Mr. Matthew Williams, Jr. and Ms. Cleoria Dunn thanked the Board for the recognitions.
Agenda Item 9 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – March 16, 2021 and April 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 10 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm.
Bottom of Form
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Bottom of Form /Daryll Berry/ /Brent Vidrine/
Daryll Berry Dr. Brent Vidrine
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 laura.jacobs@mcschools.net.
