Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 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 Brandon Johnson.
Agenda Item 1 – Swearing-in and Oath of Office Signing
Judge Fred Jones administered the Ceremonial Oath of Office to the Monroe City School Board of Education. (Oath of Office forms were signed and notarized).
District I – Mr. Michael Sampognaro
District II – Ms. Jennifer Haneline
District III – Mr. Bill Willson
District IV – Mr. Daryll Berry
District V – Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper
District VI – Mr. Brandon Johnson
District VII – Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Agenda Item 2A and 2B – Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer was offered by Pastor Eddie Stewart, Pastor of Triumph Baptist Church, Monroe, La. Pledge of Allegiance was led by William Young, Sallie Humble Elementary School.
Agenda Item 2C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Michael Sampognaro, Mrs. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Mrs. Betty Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Action Item 2D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Jennifer Haneline and seconded by Daryll Berry the board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 3A and B – Election of 2023 Monroe City School board of Education Officers
Brandon Johnson passed the gavel to Superintendent. Dr. Vidrine. Dr. Vidrine stated the one vote method for electing Monroe City School Board Officers will be used and open nominations for president of the Board for 2023.
Mrs. Haneline nominated Mr. Willson seconded by Mr. Sampognaro. Mr. Johnson nominated Mrs. Cooper, seconded by Mrs. Shelling. Hearing no others, nominations were closed.
Roll call vote:
For Bill Willson – Michael Sampognaro, Jennifer Haneline, Bill Willson, Daryll Berry
For Betty Cooper – Betty Cooper, Brandon Johnson, and Brenda Shelling.
By majority vote, Mr. William “Bill” Willson is elected president for 2023.
Action Item 3C Election of 2023 Monroe City School Board Vice President
Brenda Shelling nominated Betty Cooper, seconded by Brandon Johnson
Michael Sampognaro nominated Daryll Berry seconded by Jennifer Haneline.
Betty Cooper withdrew her name from the nomination. Hearing no others, Mr. Daryll Berry is elected Vice President for 2023.
Agenda Item 4 A – Resolution declaring January as Louisiana School Board Recognition Month
Dr. Vidrine read a resolution in honor of the school board members for School Board Member Recognition Month. He congratulated and thanked the board members for their service.
Agenda Item 5A and B– 2022-2023 District Teacher and Principal of the Year – Jackie Anderson
The Superintendent and Board Congratulated:
Teacher of the Year: Elementary School Division: Tracy Hill, Sallie Humble Elementary
Middle School Division: Darius Washington, Carroll Junior High
High School Division: Kody Chase, Neville High School
Principal of the Year: Elementary School Division: Lashondra Allen, Berg Jones Elementary
Middle School Division: Michael Price, Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High
High School Division: Harrington Watson, Wossman High School
Action Item 6 A, B and C – Consent Agenda Items
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the Board approved December 6, 2022 Board meeting minutes; Martin Luther King Jr Middle School ELA and Social Studies Department travel to Jackson Mississippi; and Carroll High School History Department travel to Memphis Tn. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 7 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
Action Item 8A– Adoption of Resolution authorizing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Boys & Girls Club of North Louisiana and the City of Monroe
On a motion by Brandon Johnson and seconded by Jennifer Haneline the board approved adoption of Resolution authorizing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Boys & Girls Club of North Louisiana and the City of Monroe.
Action Item 8B Stipend Supplement of Elementary Afterschool Programs
On a motion by Jennifer Haneline and seconded by Betty Cooper, the board approved the stipend supplement of Elementary afterschool programs.
Public Comment: Mrs. Sandie Lollie congratulated the School Board Members, Principals and Teachers of the year. Mrs. Lolllie stated she supports the stipend supplement for Elementary afterschool programs. She voiced her concerns about the cafeteria workers. She stated the workers are suffering due to a lack of finding people to work; perhaps it’s because they are only being offered part time for twenty hours per week or whatever the situation may be Mrs. Lollie stated the cafeteria workers servicing all the students with sometimes only two (2) people. She stated the workers work hard with no compensation or stipend. She believes this should be looked at immediately to see what can be done by a committee or whomever, because the kids are suffering.
Vice President Daryll Berry agrees with Mrs. Lollie and would like to take it to the finance committee to make sure this happens.
Action item 8C – COVID-19 supplemental Pay Employees
Dr. Vidrine noted in 2020 three (3) acts were passed called ESSER I, II and III dollars. These dollars were allocated to school districts. This will be the third and final installment of COVID dollars. One thousand dollars will be paid to each employee on January 19th and the month of May during the sub payroll.
On a motion by Jennifer Haneline and seconded by Daryll Berry the Board approved COVID-19 supplemental pay for employees. The motion carried unanimously.
Public comment: Mrs. Lollie stated she supports the thousand-dollar stipend. She stated it comes in handy to offset the timing of receiving their monthly paycheck. She asked if perhaps they can find another way to handle the long period with employee’s payday from December to January due to being paid only once a month.
Vice President Daryll Berry would like to look at paying lower paid employees every two weeks instead of once a month; possible start at a certain level and work up.
Agenda Item 9A Financial Reports
* Financial reports can be viewed on online.
Agenda Item 9B – Superintendent Report
* Audit has been completed and submitted to the state; Auditors will possibly be at the next board meeting.
* There was a hard freeze during the Christmas break; some schools had water pipe damage that has been fixed.
Dr. Vidrine stated he appreciate each one of the Board Members and wish them all luck. He welcomed Mrs. Brenda Shelling and Mr. Michael Sampognaro to the Board and welcomed the returning Board members back. Superintendent Vidrine is looking forward to a great remaining of the school year.
Agenda Item 9C – Report of Board Members
Ms. Haneline thanked Mr. Johnson and appreciate his leadership style on bringing the Board together. Mrs. Haneline recognized Pace Sclare, at Neville Junior High School, one of the students of the year for the Monroe City School District. She welcomed everyone back after the break. Mrs. Haneline welcomed Mrs. Brenda Shelling and excited for her presence back to the board, along with the returning board members and grateful to have Mr. Sampognaro aboard.
Mr. Sampognaro stated this is his first time on the Board and look forward to working with each one of the members. He noted he is not only a member for his district I but a member for all the schools. He knows all votes will not go the same way, but they will work through it. Mr. Sampognaro looks forward to visiting all the schools and getting to know all the faculty and staff and having a good year.
Vice President Daryll Berry thanked God again for allowing him to serve on the board for the next four years. A few things he would like to concentrate on the next four years is low paid employees pay every two weeks; facilities, getting all projects completed; work on grades and scores at the school and should hold principals and teachers more accountable to educating our kids. He wants to make sure we bring the scores up in the next four years. He plans to work together with all board members and their districts on moving forward; work on discipline in the schools; plans to work with Dr. Vidrine and the purchasing department to make sure everyone is giving the opportunity to bid on all projects throughout the year.
Mrs. Cooper noted the audience presence means so much to the board and value their input. She stated their top priority is bringing significant academic achievement for the students. She hopes the board will work cooperatively with each other in unity and hopeful for today and tomorrow. She reported the curriculum committee met on December 19 and if you missed the meeting, the recording is located online. Mrs. Cooper thanked God for another opportunity to serve. She thanked family members, church family, friends, constituents and supporters for their love and support. Mrs. Cooper will certainly live up to the oath that she took on tonight.
Mr. Johnson thanked the board for the opportunity to serve as president this past year. He hopes he was fair and did a great job on leading the board. He noted they made some leaps and grew a little closer with working within their strengths. Mr. Johnson thanked Representative Pat Moore for her support on tonight. He was happy to see Mr. Quinton McFarland and Pastor Price. Mr. Johnson thanked Judge Fred Jones for the swearing in of the Board Members. He welcomed the new members and look forward to working with the Board. Mr. Johnson noted if there is anything he can do to help or knowledge he can give he’s there. He stated to Mrs. Shelling she is the real goat with a lot of wisdom; she has helped him along the way, and this is going on his eighth year (8th) and want to continue the fight. He thanked Board Attorney Doug Lawrence for his help and insight to the board which is very important. He appreciates Attorney Lawrence for helping him as president along the way.
Mrs. Shelling stated coming from her heart it is an honor to be here tonight. She lost by two votes last election and had just lost her husband. Several of her constituents asked her to challenge it and she did not want to. Since then she has grown and learned to handle herself a little differently. She prayed God will direct her on where to go and how to get there. (She asked for her support that is present to stand) She appreciate all what her supporters have done.
Board President Bill Willson thanked the board for entrusting him with the responsibilities as president and do not take it lightly. Mr. Willson thanked our Father God above and for the opportunity and blessing for his family and life. This is his third school board as serving president. He strives to be forefront, honest and transparent as much as possible. He looks forward on serving with the board members. He stated to Ms. Haneline, Mr. Berry, and Mr. Johnson its their third and last go round. He noted it has been an interesting eight years and overall, a good ride and seen the school board move to great achievements. He thanked Dr. Vidrine and looks forward to working with Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Shelling, and Mr. Sampognaro. He noted he has goals. On last year they talked about how to increase parental involvement and engagement within the community, especially areas where the scores are not where they should be. He would like to set up an ad hoc committee not only with board members but with the community as well as ministers, community leaders, teachers principals and parents. Mr. Willson wants to see empowering and working toward positive outcomes for the students, employees, and stakeholders. He has ideas to try not only to get test scores but learning improve; safety in schools; he wants to motivate the employees not only by good pay but a good work environment. Mr. Willson thanked his wife Marion for her support.
Agenda Item 10 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – February 14, 2023, and March 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Item 11 Executive Session
None
Action Item 12 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Cooper, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
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/William Willson/ /Brent Vidrine/
William “Bill” Willson 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 tonya.robinson@mcschools.net.
