Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Thursday, January 22, 2026, 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. Reverend Ike Byrd, III Senior Pastor of Mt Zion Baptist Church 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, Brandon Johnson and Brenda Shelling
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson the agenda was amended to move agenda item 3 Resolution/Proclamation/Presentation to agenda Item 2 and add Hellas for high school turf projects to the consent agenda 4G.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling, the board approved the agenda with the above changes, the motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 3B Resolution/Proclamation/Presentation – City of Monroe, Mayor Friday Ellis(out of sequence)
Proclamation: School Board Member Recognition Month
The Board received a presentation from Mrs. Jasmine Anderson, Media Relations Director, for the City of Monroe, representing Mayor Friday Ellis. Mrs. Anderson conveyed the Mayor’s regrets for his absence due to family commitment and shared his appreciation for the Board’s service.
Mrs. Anderson read a proclamation recognizing the Monroe City School Board for its leadership, service, and dedication to students, families, and the community. The proclamation highlighted the Board President, Vice President, and individual board members for their collective commitment to educational excellence and public service.
Mayor Friday Ellis officially proclaimed January 2026 as Monroe City School Board Members Recognition Month. Proclamations were presented to the Board members.
Agenda Item 3A – School Board Member Training Resolution 2025 (out of sequence) photos were taken)
A resolution was presented regarding required school board member training pursuant to Act 705 of the 2011 Louisiana Legislature, whereas each member of a city or parish school board shall complete a minimum of six (6) hours of annual training.
The resolution further noted that each board member is required to complete one (1) hour of ethics training annually during their tenure.
Resolved, that the following Monroe City School Board members have successfully completed and exceeded the required six hours of mandated training and have completed the required one hour of ethics training for the year 2025:
Michael Sampognaro
Jennifer Haneline
William “Bill” Willson
Darryl Berry
Betty Ward Cooper
Brandon Johnson
Brenda Shelling
The Superintendent certified that this resolution is a true and correct copy adopted at the regular school board meeting held on January 22, 2026, as signed by Sam L. Moore, III, Superintendent, Monroe City School District.
It was further reported that the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) offers a voluntary recognition program for board members who complete 20 or more LSBA-approved training hours within a calendar year. This program is voluntary and not required by law.
Certificates recognizing board members who achieved this designation were presented. Board members recognized for exceeding 20 hours of LSBA-approved training include:
Betty Ward Cooper
Brenda Shelling
Darryl F. Berry
January being School Board Member Recognition Month, this was noted as an appropriate time to honor board members for their commitment to professional development.
Mrs. Anderson shared the District Appreciation Video and Remarks
The academic/instructional team and multiple schools, staff, and students shared thanks to the board.
Board appreciation was expressed to Mayor Friday Ellis for the proclamation and certificates presented, with special acknowledgment for the recognition provided on behalf of the City of Monroe.
Election of 2026 Monroe City School Board Officers
Agenda Item 2A – Approval of one vote method of electing Monroe City School Board of Education Officers (out of sequence)
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline the board approved one-vote method of electing Monroe City School Board Officers. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 2B – Election of 2026 Monroe City School Board of Education President
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to approve joint motion to elect Brandon Johnson (President) and Jennifer Haneline (Vice President). The motion failed (5 not in favor, 2 in favor).
In favor: Bill Willson and Jennifer Haneline
Not in favor: Michael Sampognaro
Daryll Berry
Betty Ward Cooper
Brandon Johnson
Mrs. Shelling
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved to elect Brandon Johnson as the 2026 Board President. The motion carried unanimously.
The gavel passed to President Brandon Johnson
Agenda Item 2C -Election of 2026 Monroe City School Board of Education Vice President
Board President Johnson open the floor for nominations for Vice President:
It was moved by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to elect Michael Sampognaro as Board Vice President.; no other nominations; roll call, all in favor. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 4A-F Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved the
Board of Education Minutes for December 11, 2025; approval of Board Member Code of Conduct recommended by the Louisiana School Boards Association; First Reading to approve LDOE(Louisiana Department of Education) Corrective Action Plan 2023-2024; First Reading for Adoption Policy EFAB regulating use of Artificial Intelligence Technologie; Adoption of recommended School Board policy amendments KIB (Advertising in the Schools), BCBB (Notification of School board Meetings), DFK(Sale of Surplus equipment and Supplies), DJE(Purchasing), EBBC(Emergency/Crisis Management), GBC,(Recruitment) GBN(Dismissal of Employees), GBRA,(Employee Conduct) and JGCF(Behavioral Health Support for Students) in satisfaction of State law; approval of Louisiana state employee travel expense rates to establish School District employee travel expense rates and Hellas (turf for all high schools) Carroll High School, Neville High School and Wossman High School. The motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Moore stated that policy item KIB (advertising on school property) had been voted down in Policy Committee but not removed.
It was moved by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to friendly amend the previous motion. The consent agenda approved with KIB (advertising in the schools) removed from agenda item 4E. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5 – consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
New Business Agenda Item 6A – Approval of the Superintendent’s written employment contract
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the board approved the Superintendent’s written employment contract. The motion passed on majority vote.
Ms. Haneline noted for the record that she initiated and supported consideration of the three-year term. She is opposed to extending the contract at this time because it’s still a year left on the current one.
Roll call vote on contract extension: 4 in favor, 3 opposed. Extension approved.
In favor: Daryll Berry, Betty Ward Cooper, Brenda Shelling and Brandon Johnson
Not in favor: Michael Sampognaro, Jennifer Haneline and Bill Willson
Agenda Item 6B – Authorization to purchase property adjacent to School Board central office complex on Tower Drive (Lots 11 through 15 and the west 25 feet of Lot 16, Block 4 in the Tower View subdivision; Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana) and undertake additional due diligence assurance steps in connection therewith.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to table this agenda item.
In Favor: Michael Sampognaro
Jennifer Haneline
Bill Willson
Brandon Johnson
Not in favor: Daryll Berry
Betty Ward Cooper
Brenda Shelling
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved the Monroe City School System to authorize obtaining a certified appraisal on this property as well as an ESA1 Environmental site Assessment to be performed and completed prior to bringing this back for a vote. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 6C – Approval of the recommendation of the Superintendent to accept the recommendation of the independent charter application evaluator (The Learning Collective) to not approve the application to convert Neville High School into a Type 3 charter school.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry to accept the approval of agenda item 6C
In favor: Brandon Johnson
Brenda Shelling
Betty Ward Cooper
Daryll Berry
Michael Sampognaro
Not in favor: Jennifer Haneline
Bill Willson
Agenda Item 7A – Report of Superintendent
Agenda Item 7B – November 2025 Financial Report
Revenues received during the month of November include:
- MFP – $4,381,124
- Interest on Investment -$29,512
- Old MLK building – $1,108,000
Sales Taxes – increased.
Grants –
A Title II survey on professional development will be sent to all instructional staff to support upcoming plans for meaningful and relevant professional development training. The survey will take 2-3 minutes to rate various professional development topics that will benefit each participant’s professional goals as an educator, administrator, or district employee in Monroe City Schools.
A Title IV survey will be shared via Remind, social media, and the district website. We will ask our community stakeholders to select the Well-Rounded Education, Safe and Healthy, and Use of Technology topics they consider most important to enrich the educational and instructional programs of Monroe City School students.
We’re continuing to work with Carr, Riggs, & Ingram to complete the annual audit report for June 30, 2025, which is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, approved extension.
Superintendent Moore noted that the district will transition to a cashless system beginning next school year
Academic
The Academic Team continues to support schools through data informed practices and instructional monitoring. Middle-of-the-Year DIBELS results indicate that 75% of elementary schools demonstrated growth from their Beginning of the Year DIBELS, reflecting continued progress in early literacy achievement.
In addition, quarterly data reviews have begun with school-based teams examining data trackers, enabling schools to identify instructional gaps, monitor progress, and make timely adjustments toward goal attainment. School administrators have also expressed strong enthusiasm for the recent rollout of the CARE Tool, which streamlines classroom walkthroughs and enhances the efficiency and consistency of instructional feedback and monitoring.
The following report provides updates on the Child Nutrition, Custodial/Warehouse, Maintenance, Safety, and Transportation departments.
Child Nutrition Services - Moving to cashless payments for ALL transactions (full implementation 26-27 SY)
- Lexington will be recognized as the “Gold Standard” for this month.
Custodial/Warehouse - Met with principals to address cleanliness of physical plant and grounds
- CPU will be recognized as the “Gold Standard” for this month.
HVAC - currently awaiting the report on the feasibility to get software to efficiently control schools heating and air.
Maintenance - updated principals on submitting requests (PD is being conducted on Brightly system)
- reviewed needs Assessments to align funding Sources with the priorities of the district
Safety - received preliminary information that should be awarded through grant funding to cover the cost of several SROs in four elementary schools.
Lexington Elementary
Sallie Humble Elementary
J.S. Clark Elementary
Jefferson Upper
Transportation - Looking at issues with the electric buses.
- Theres’s a shortage of drivers; brought back several retirees to assist.
Superintendent Moore reported on weather-related communications and potential school closures
Ongoing monitoring: Region 8 superintendents met via Zoom at 11:45. - Public announcement planned tomorrow at 12 after reviewing weather and consulting partners.
- Louisiana Tech University early release at 12 noon tomorrow; closure Monday and Tuesday.
- Communications via social media, Facebook, media outlets, robocalls, and principal notices.
Ms. Haneline thanked Superintendent Moore and his Team acknowledging the MOU with Northeast Delta Human Service Authority Appreciation for MOU focused on mental health and addiction prevention and transparency on Academic Contracts. Thanks for compiling current academic contracts for board awareness.
Agenda Item 8A – Board of Education Meetings – February 10, 2026, March 17, 2026 and April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to add board reports to the agenda. (requires a unanimous consent) The motion failed.
Agenda Item 9 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the meeting adjourn at 7:49 p.m.Bottom of Form
\Brandon Johnson/_\Sam L. Moore, III/__
Brandon Johnson 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.
