Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Monday January 24, 2022, at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Daryll Berry. Mr. Berry 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, Mrs. Sharon Greer Neal, and Mr. Brandon Johnson
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approve the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 2A – Approval of one vote method of electing Monroe City School Board Education Officers
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson the Board approved the one vote method of electing Monroe City School Board Officers. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Mr. Willson asked Attorney Lawrence to explain the one vote method.
Agenda Item 2B – Election of 2022 Board President (taken out of sequence)
Superintendent Vidrine open the floor for nominations for Board President.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry to nominate Ms. Haneline as Board President.
It was moved by Mr. Saulsberry and seconded by Ms. Cooper to nominate Brandon Johnson as Board President.
Roll call
In Favor of Ms. Haneline: Mr. Willson, Mr. Berry and Ms, Haneline
In favor of Mr. Johnson: Mr. Saulsberry, Ms. Cooper, Mrs. Greer, and Mr. Johnson
By majority consent, the Board elected Mr. Johnson as Board President for 2022.
Action Item 2C – Election of 2022 Vice President
Mr. Johnson opened the floor for nominations for Vice President.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry to nominate Ms. Haneline as Vice President.
It was moved by Ms. Cooper and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry to nominate Mrs. Greer as Vice President.
Roll call
In favor of Ms. Haneline: Mr. Willson, Mr. Berry and Ms. Haneline
In favor of Ms. Greer: Mr. Saulsberry, Ms. Cooper, Mr. Johnson, and Ms. Greer
By majority consent, the Board elected Mrs. Greer as Vice President for 2022.
Agenda Item 3A – a parent request to speak pm vaccine option for students
No Show
Agenda Item 3B – Update on refinancing Bond
Mr. Nnamdi stated some of the outstanding debt from 2014, 2015 and 2016 bond issue was refinanced last year. The balance of the outstanding debt of the bond issue can be refinanced and hope to save the school district half a million dollars. If the targeted savings are accepted, Mr. Nnamdi will meet with Superintendent Vidrine to lock in rates to be presented with the resolution at the next Board Meeting.
Mr. Willson stated for the record he contacted Mr. Nnamdi to reprice and gave his concern about increasing interest rates environment and this potential saving will be in addition to under the million that we had in earlier financing. Roughly sixty percent (60%). He stated in fact, it was previously approved in state bonding commission, we don’t have to take it back which cuts down on the timing as well.
Agenda Item 3C – Architectural Plus presentation – Wossman High School Health Clinic Design
Architectural Plus will be renovating the existing fieldhouse. Mr. Johnson recommended a sidewalk cover to be installed due to weather, students, and staff traffic. Ms. Haneline asked if someone on the board have been reviewing and working closely with Architectural Plus. Mr. Johnson responded, he initially reviewed the plans and currently reviewing updates and finalizing. Mr. Tenori stated he has a meeting with Mr. Charles Monroe and Dr. Watson to review plans before moving forward. Ms. Haneline stated the board would like to hear from Mr. Monroe and his recommendations on this project. Ms. Haneline confirmed with Dr Vidrine that the clinic will be utilized for Monroe City Schools.
Agenda Item 4A – Resolution/ Proclamation 2022 Louisiana School Board Recognition Month
Superintendent Vidrine read a resolution declaring January as Louisiana School Board Recognition Month. He congratulated the Board Members and thanked them for their service.
Consent Agenda 5A – Board of Education Minutes – December 14, 2021
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved December Board Meeting minutes, contract renewal with Louisiana Agricultural Corporation, LLC, approved policies DJE (purchasing), DJED (Bids and Quotations), GBRHA (Sabbatical Leave), GBRIB (Sick Leave), IHAD (Parent Conferences), JG (Student Welfare) and JQA (Expectant and Parenting Students), permission to advertise for bids for Wossman High School Health Clinic, permission to advertise for bids for upgrading playground equipment for all Elementary Schools, approved Monroe City School District Covid Leave Request Form, and
Awarded E-Rate RFP #22-01 WAN & Internet Services
Agenda Item 6A – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
Ms. Haneline wanted to know the board policy and responsibility on travel due to covid-19 rates being high. Dr. Vidrine responded, because the trip is approved does not mean the schools will be able to travel during that time. Traveling will be reviewed and postponed if need be. He responded, for schools to go on trips it must be approved. Ms. Haneline asked what it is based on. Dr. Vidrine responded, it’s based on the covid numbers at that time. Ms. Haneline asked what the districts liability is if a child was to contract covid and the parent blames the schools. He responded, the district has health insurance on all the students, and they will be covered. Dr. Vidrine stated it’s been two (2) years since the schools have been out of state and many trips have been approved but not taken.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry, the board approved Monroe City Schools Elementary orchestra, permission to travel to Orlando Florida. The motion carried six (6) in favor and Mr. Johnson recused.
Agenda Item 7A and B – Report of Superintendent
Superintendent Vidrine noted the latest finance reports can be viewed in Board Docs.
Superintendent Vidrine noted the actuary report from OPEB on liability insurance should be in this week and should have an audit by next month with Mrs. Howard.
Superintendent Vidrine recommends everyone to stop by and look at Carroll Jr High, Carroll High School, and Wossman High School new restrooms. The restrooms should be completed by, April 1, 2022, and plan to move to Neville Jr High and Neville High School.
Superintendent Vidrine noted that Monroe City Schools has two hundred seventy – five thousand dollars ($275,000) of Esser Funds, for non-certified and certified teachers and staff to get their master and or doctoral degree. The employee will receive three hundred ($300) per credit hour for undergraduate, and five hundred ($500) for doctoral student. The requirements are you must have an A or B at the end of the semester. To be reimbursed, you must bring in your grades and fee sheet. If you are in a program you can stay in that program. If you are entering into the new program he asks if you would attend one of the local Universities, Grambling State University,
University of Louisiana at Monroe, or Louisiana Tech University with the Monroe City schools certificate. If you already attend a university out of town or out of state it will be honored. Dr. Vidrine stated for the last five (5) years that he is very excited for trying to grow our own with the teachers.
Mr. Johnson asked for clarity on the program. Dr. Vidrine responded, you can participate with zero (0) hours or a para with 50 college hours, he stated all paras have some type of credit hours. Mr. Johnson asked for security purpose, will the Monroe City School District have the teachers and paras to sign a 2-year contract to stay with the district. Dr. Vidrine responded, it has been discussed but believe it will be hard to enforce. Ms. Haneline agreed with Mr. Johnson with a memorandum of understanding. Mr. Berry asked how the program would be advertised. Dr Vidrine stated it was advertised by email to all the teachers and paras in the district, on the website and notified the principals in the principal meeting.
Agenda Items 7C – Report of Board Members
Mr. Saulsberry asked Dr. Vidrine has he considered substitutes covid pay like before. Dr. Vidrine responded, yes. They are looking into giving all substitutes a bonus for days work.
Mr. Saulsberry congratulated Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Neal for President and Vice President.
Mr. Saulsberry invited everyone to come to the Parental Involvement Task Force meeting on January 25, 2022, at 5:00pm in the Board Room. Guest speaker is Dr. Daniel Upchurch from University of Louisiana at Monroe. He will speak on mental health.
Ms. Haneline congratulated Mr. Johnson on being President. She thanked Mr. Saulsberry for focusing on mental health in the schools.
Ms. Haneline stated it is a lack of tolerance in a lot of different avenues in religion and want to remind the system that it is about tolerance, and we are predominantly a Christian Country and Community. Bullying someone about how they practice their faith and religion should never be tolerated from other students, peers, or staff. Spreading kindness and love is the avenue we all want to have in general.
Ms. Haneline congratulated Coach Carter on her retirement from Neville Jr High School.
Ms. Haneline want to give a shout out to the entire school system for continuing to keep the doors open. She thanked the administrators, teachers and students.
Mr. Willson thanked Mr. Berry for serving as Board President for 2021 and Mrs. Greer for serving as Vice President. He gave Mr. Johnson best wishes, good luck and know he will be successful. Mr. Willson congratulated Mrs. Greer on her second term as Vice President.
Mr. Willson noted he’s had the pleasure of serving on the Education and Government Committee with Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Pertaining to the Education Committee, he wants the Chamber of Commerce to work with the schools on finding corporate sponsors. Mr. Willson noted that all eighteen (18) principals at the primary schools were contacted. Mr. Willson stated that this will not only help the school, but teachers’ administrators, and students.
So far, ten (10) principals have responded and in the process of lining corporate sponsors. Mr. Willson asked Dr. Vidrine to encourage the eight (8) principals that has not responded, to return the survey for all schools to have corporate sponsors.
On the Government Committee, Mr. Willson noted he will be representing City of Monroe, Monroe City school Board, Board Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC on behalf of Ouachita Parish for different funding opportunities.
Mr. Berry thanked the Board for allowing him to serve as President for the past year and congratulated Mr. Johnson as President and Mrs. Neal as Vice President.
Mrs. Greer thanked everyone for their votes and looking forward to working with everyone. Mrs. Neal noted that it is very important to take every action necessary to assist struggling students academically.
Ms. Cooper thanked the ex-board members for their service and congratulated Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Greer. Ms. Cooper thanked Superintendent Vidrine and the public for recognizing them as Board Members. Ms. Cooper thanked the community, parents, teachers, staff, students, administration, and Dr. Vidrine. Ms. Cooper invited everyone to a community webinar next month on Reading Literacy sponsored by District 5. Everyone will receive an invitation.
Mr. Johnson thanked everyone for their support. He is looking forward to working as a team with everyone and Superintendent on continuing to make this district great. Mr. Johnson asked Dr. Vidrine to bring in Dr. Owens for the next board meeting, to get an update on virtual school learning. Superintendent answered, he will take it to the committee first.
Mr. Johnson stated he want Board Members to be in attendance for board meetings and ask for Board Members to communicate about any changes that need to be made and to be flexible with one another “if need be”. Mr. Johnson will be communicating with Mrs. Greer about meeting assignments
Agenda Item 8 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – March 15, 2022, and April 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 9 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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/Brandon Johnson/_____________ _/Brent Vidrine/____________
Brandon Johnson 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.
