Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, January 19, 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 Cooper. Prayer was offered by Dr. J. Garland Smith, Lone Wa Worship Center, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Ms. Betty Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson and Mrs. Sharon Greer
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 2A – Approval of Voting Method of Electing Officers
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry, the Board approved the one vote method whereby all candidates for each office will be nominated at one time, and each board member will cast a single vote in favor of the candidate of their choice. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 2B – Election of 2021 Board President
Superintendent Vidrine declared all positions vacant and called for nominations for board president.
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry to nominate Ms. Cooper for board president.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to nominate Mr. Berry for board president.
In favor of Ms. Cooper: Mr. Saulsberry, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Cooper
In favor of Mr. Berry: Mr. Willson, Ms. Haneline, Ms. Greer, Mr. Berry
Public Comment: Mr. Ambrose Douzart voiced his concerns on the choice of board president.
By majority consent, the Board elected Mr. Berry as board president for 2021.
Action Item 2C – Election of 2021 Vice President
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry to nominate Mrs. Greer as vice president. There being no other nominations, Mrs. Greer is elected board vice president by acclimation.
Agenda Item 3A – State Delegation Resolution: Louisiana School Board Member Recognition
A proclamation from the Louisiana Legislature, on behalf of Representatives Pat Moore, Fredrick Jones and Senator Katrina Jackson, was read in honor of School Board Member Recognition Month.
Action Item 3B – Resolution Declaring January as Louisiana School Board Member Recognition Month
Superintendent Vidrine thanked board members for their support of students and staff in the school district. He read a resolution declaring January as Louisiana School Board Recognition Month.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Ms. Cooper, the Board approved a resolution declaring January as Louisiana School Board Member Month. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved December 1, 2020 board meeting minutes; accepted first reading of policies: BD (School Board Policy), JD (Discipline), JDD (Suspension), JDE (Expulsion), BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings) and GBRIB (Sick Leave); awarded bid #MC21-03 for cafeteria fixed equipment for new M.L.K. school; and renewed the construction project manager contract between Mr. Paul Crain and MCSB for one year. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Cooper, the Board approved travel for Neville Jr. High to New York City and Washington, D.C. The motion carried on a majority vote. Mr. Johnson, recused.
Action Item 6 – Strong Start 2020 Schedule Adjustment
Dr. Vidrine noted that a survey was sent to parents and staff to vote on the flex day. Ninety-one percent of staff and fifty-eight percent of parents voted to continue the flex day.
Dr. Harrington Watson, principal of Wossman High School, provided an overview on the schedule adjustment for his school. He stated that virtual school is challenging, and some students are falling behind. The flex day allows teachers the opportunity to focus on students that need additional help.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved continuation of Wednesday as the flex day. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 7A – Suspension of Policy BD (School Board Policy)
Dr. Vidrine noted that Board policy BD requires a first reading of policies. Because of timeliness, he is asking to suspend the policy and approve revised policy GBRIBC.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Ms. Cooper, the Board suspended policy BD. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 7B – Adoption of Policy GBRIBC (Emergency Family and Medical Leave and Emergency Paid Sick Leave COVID-19 Pandemic)
Dr. Vidrine stated that the CARES Act, which expired on December 31, 2020, allowed employees up to ten days of emergency paid sick leave for COVID-19. It is his recommendation to extend the ten days to staff that did not utilize those days prior to the expiration date. In addition, employees will receive up to five additional days of leave, which can be used only for close contact with a positive case while fulfilling duties as an MCS employee. This policy will expire June 30, 2021 or until it is revised.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Board approved policy GBRIBC. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 8A – Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School Construction Project Update
Mr. Paul Crain reported that the inside of the school is near completion. Progress on the exterior is off schedule because of excess rain, snow, and illnesses due to COVID. The estimated completion date is mid-March.
Agenda Item 8B – Report of Superintendent
* COVID numbers are down across the district.
* Meetings are being held with staff to plan for spring testing, summer enrichment and the upcoming school year.
* Primary Health Care will provide COVID vaccines when the governor allows vaccinations for teachers.
Agenda Item 8C – Financial Reports
Dr. Vidrine reported the following:
* A payment of $40,000 has been received for the Neville marquee.
* The 2020 audit is complete and will be placed on the next agenda.
* Detailed financial statements can be viewed in BoardDocs.
Agenda Item 8D – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Greer thanked Board members for electing her vice president. She also thanked Ms. Cooper for her service as board president.
Mr. Johnson stated that he is excited about the rollout of COVID vaccines; however, he is still concerned about the safety of students, staff, and teachers.
Ms. Cooper congratulated the new officers and thanked the Board for their support during her tenure as president.
Mr. Willson noted that Grace Episcopal School will no longer have 7th and 8th grade students; hopefully those students will enroll in the district. He congratulated the district’s students of the year and wished them the best in state competition. He asked for prayers for the family of Mr. Dale Zimmerman, former basketball coach at Wossman High School.
Ms. Haneline reported on her attendance at the City of Monroe Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Salute. She offered condolences to the family of congressman-elect Mr. Luke Letlow, who passed away before being sworn into office. She encouraged everyone to continue practicing CDC guidelines.
Mr. Saulsberry thanked Ms. Cooper and Mr. Johnson for their service as Board officers. He reported on the January 14, 2021 policy committee meeting.
Mr. Berry stated that his goal as president is to work as a team to address issues.
Agenda Item 9 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings: February 16, 2021 and March 16, 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 7:10 p.m.
Bottom of Form
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/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.
