Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, March 15, 2022, 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 Brandon Johnson. Pastor Chandler Hawkins, Saint Matthews Baptist Church offered prayer and Kezia Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Ms. Betty Ward Cooper, Brandon Johnson, and
Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer
Absent: Mr. Bill Willson and Daryll Berry
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
It was moved by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Greer; the Board approve the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A – Point of Pride
The Board congratulated the Wossman High School 2022 Lady Wildcats Basketball Team as District
Champs and 3-A State Champions. (Photo was taken)
The Board congratulated the Wossman High School Boys’ Basketball Team as State Runner ups, District Champs and Coach Casey Jones 2- 3A Coach of the Year. (Photo was taken)
Agenda Item 2B – Recognition of Athletic Trainers – JD President of Louisiana Athletic trainers
Association
Mr. Dunavant thanked the Board for appointing people leadership to lead young people and making the city proud. He congratulated Wossman High School Lady Wildcats on winning State Championship. Mr. Dunavant stated March is National Athletic Training Month and wanted to recognize the trainers that are currently employed by Monroe City School Board. He familiarized the Board with educational standards and purpose of an Athletic Trainer. He congratulated Miss Jody Powell of Wossman High School and Chris Kyle of Carroll High School for their outstanding service of Monroe City Schools and maintaining the health and safety of the youth in the community. (Photo was taken)
Agenda Item 3A – Presentation – Carroll High School Alumni – Concerns for Improvement of Carroll
High School – Victor Kirk (packet issued)
Mrs. Juanita Woods 1972 graduate of Carroll High School thanked the Board for allowing them to speak and introduced members that were present. Mr. Kirk shared information on Carroll High School Alumni and the Joyce and Thomas Morehead Foundation. He mentioned the presentation that was
presented at the Facilities Committee Meeting was comprehensive and not anticipating doing another due to five out of seven Board Members were present. He asked the Board to take a visual look at Carroll High School through google earth. He stated the Joyce and Thomas Morehead Foundation looked at the campus itself and have concerns. The foundation has engaged in two architecture firms and have requested proposals from them both. Several issues the campus face is the main building face south and receive six to eight hours of sunlight which is one reason the blinds are closed. There is no shrubbery or trees that can block the sunlight. Mr. Kirk believes the initial proposal is around
$50,000 which gives you a feel of what’s being put on the table. The Foundation involvement initially began with a considerable contribution that is dedicated to academics on a full ride to college for some students that reached a certain ACT score. Mr. Kirk stated it languished about three years and no one was able to take advantage of it, so they regrouped and reinvested the money back into infrastructure. The Alumni want to suggest to the Board that it develops a comprehensive facility plan. He is concerned about the north side of campus what use to be Delta Community College. He stated this area currently slopes and is often used behind the stadium for football games, tailgating etc., If it rains its muddy and messy. He stated the principal has reported concerns about the insufficient lighting where an incident happened, and law enforcement was involved. This could have been prevented if proper lighting was in place. The biggest concern for students, faculty, staff, and community is the chiller. The chiller is old and sits in the middle of two academic wings that causes the ground to rattle and shake when it’s on. This interrupt the academic preparation and presentation that the teachers are involved with. There is a considerable amount of erosion near the chiller. Part of this strategy is to put about five million dollars into a retrofit. Unfortunately, a contract was signed by architects and that process has been underway for about six months. The challenge the Board has is how to revisit this issue. The Alumni suggest a strategic and comprehensive plan that is the utilization of the north part of the campus where the school can expand. There have been thoughts of sports complex, new gym, or new baseball field.
He stated that at some point a decision with potential growth of the school and some anticipation of growth, we need to be mindful for any additional structures that will need to be addressed. Whether you spend five million dollars on an aging component or put a pin in it. He stated much has been invested in six months of the contract. He stated every contractor has a Gantt chart, this chart should be reviewed for the impact of pausing and determine if a feasibility study can be secured for relocating the chiller to the northern part of campus. The school system should not face this problem alone, there is a need for comprehensive review and bring in the partners. There are two categories of dollars, cash portion (cash is available once legislature sign off on the project) and the bond portion (put in advance and a decision to sell the bonds made by the commission and cash is made available) Two to three billion dollars in excess money. The only way the heavy lifting can be solved is to bring in the legislative delegation for Northeast Louisiana. The Alumni initially thought there was a need to donate property to the school that the city owned but was astonished to find out the city school board does not own the property that Carroll High School sits on. Their recommendation is to proceed as quickly as possible to secure ownership of the property. A couple weeks ago the alumni presented information about academic and a wonderful job to secure the services of Dr. Davis. He stated the document that was issued is a relatively aggressive plan that was suggested to the Morehouse Foundation and subsequently to the Board. Mr. Kirk spoke about what if the Master Teacher concept was brought back to the table and fully funded. He stated its still on the books but several years ago the legislature made it an option for the school system to fund and provide dollars for the Master Teacher Program. He mentions what if we engage the Universities in our area and took graduate students in math, science, chemistry and gave the graduate students graduate assistantship to shadow different subjects.
Mr. Johnson asked Councilwoman Woods and Mr. Kirk to answer questions from the Board to see how to move forward and a better understanding of mention projects for Carroll High School.
Mrs. Cooper stated she attended the full presentation at the Facilities Committee Meeting and will yield to others.
Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Saulsberry if he had any questions.
Mr. Saulsberry responded he understood from the facilities meeting. He asked Mr. Kirk to explain exactly what the alumni is wanting the Board to help with.
Mr. Kirk stated the packet that was presented to the facilities committee had a letter with specific items that would work well as a companion piece for what the Morehouse Foundation wants to do with the campus. Mr. Kirk stated it doesn’t take a committee to make a change. Its’s something you can authorize the superintendent to do or from a budgetary standpoint you can determine the cost and partnership involved to get it done and the superintendent to extend the funds.
Mr. Johnson stated to Mr. Kirk, he understands what he’s saying about “it doesn’t take a committee” but as this Board, we try to do things through the committee’s process to inform the public of things the board is doing and move forward from there. It’s brought to the full board because we want the community input. Mr. Johnson stated he spoke with a couple of people from the Foundation about the chillers being moved. Mr. Johnson asked Dr. Vidrine if we’ve received the cost from the experts to move the chillers. Dr. Vidrine stated we do not have a cost; we have a contract currently with Land
3 Architect to replace the chiller house and the chillers at Carroll High School. The cost is not 5 million dollars it’s estimated between 1.2 million and 1.4 million. Due to change of cost in our economy, we’ve now estimated 1.6 million to 1.8 million to replace a brand-new chiller in its current place. Dr. Vidrine confirmed with Attorney Doug Lawrence the process to stop work on current chiller project. He believes if correct, we must vote to have it put on the agenda, pause the contract, and stop current work on chillers. The cost to stop current work on chiller is $6,000 dollars Engineering Tech firm (5,000), Land (1,000). To do the study find out how much the cost on moving the chiller to a different location. Attorney Lawrence stated the current engagement as the architect, engineering firm, and construction firm moving forward, as the owner, which is the Board in this case, would have to give instructions to the design professionals and contractor to stop if that is the real, for there to be a study to determine moving the chiller. Mr. Johnson stated it should be added to the next agenda and move forward. He stated Carroll High School chiller is in worst shape than others. He asked with the halt in the project, what effect would it have on the air conditioning and heating system. Dr Vidrine responded its delaying the process of new one being replaced. Mr. Johnson asked if the school staff and students will remain comfortable. Dr. Vidrine stated their concern is due to the shape the chiller is in, it cannot maintain the building with proper heating and cooling. The project is six months in, and he can’t predict or say what will happen. Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Kirk will it be possible to put chillers inside a building with proper ventilation to where it’s not expose and without the gate around it. Dr. Vidrine stated this was discussed in the facilities meeting. He stated they are talking from non-experts’ positions. He was told by the people that a brick fence with holes (for the machines to breathe) could be placed.
Mr. Johnson confirmed with Mrs. Woods most of the sidewalks are owned by the city.
Mrs. Woods stated yes, Mr. Monroe in maintenance has been in conversation with the city on how they can potentially partner since it’s on city property and utilized by students in the district. She wanted to know if they can work together on replacing the sidewalks. Ms. Hanline stated she was a little confused, she thought the facilities made recommendations. She suggested, because it’s a lot of moving parts and details, this should go back to the facilities committee to have clear recommendations for the plan. Ms. Haneline stated when we are moving forward, with huge plans
for improvements for schools, one more person should be involved that can identify things that aren’t going to cost another five million on top of what we are already spending, to then fix, move, change, and shift in process. The plans are voted on to move forward and then we have people afterwards coming in saying “well” “but” “maybe”. She stated we have committee meetings so we don’t end up in this position spending another 10 million on a facility when we can’t pay our quiz bowl, beta club, and our robotic club coach’s money for doing academic work. We are throwing money out the window when maybe it could have been prevented upfront if we had the right project planners. We can’t depend on Mr. Monroe to do that because he’s one person who does a lot of different things. We need project managing, we have many schools that are decaying and very old with issues. She stated facilities need to look at the scope of these things as well. She agrees with the sidewalks need to be taking care of. She stated she is not taking away of what’s being asked but thought this is what the facilities committee was for, to tease things out before coming to the full board.
Mr. Johnson stated he will yield to the facilities chair, Mr. Saulsberry. Ms. Haneline stated having the alumni do a second presentation is kind of a waste of their time and tonight should have been an action item. Mr. Saulsberry stated after the committee heard the presentation, he asked Mr. Monroe to have a fee ready at the school board meeting to see if we need to move forward or not on moving the chillers. Ms. Haneline asked if there were staff at the school that wanted this done. Mr. Saulsberry responded, yes, because of the noise.
On a motion by Mr. Saulsberry and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the Board approved to add to the agenda action Item 5B – a feasibility study and to halt the current construction with the chillers at Carroll High School.
Attorney Lawrence asked Mr. Johnson for clarification, is this to expand the agenda. Mr. Johnson, responded yes, to the consent item for separate consideration.
Mr. Kirk stated the second recommendation is to authorize the Superintendent or whomever to develop a comprehensive facility plan.
Mrs. Adams commented Ms. Haneline point was well taken. She stated in the packet is a proposal for a master plan for every school and guidelines. She stated every school should submit a master plan of needs, wants, desires and what are the trends local, statewide, and national.
Mr. Johnson commented in defense of Superintendent Vidrine, he does a really good job of communicating with principals across the district. He stated for the Board to move forward is to support him, the schools and making improvements along the way. Board members communicate with principals throughout the schools and figure out what is needed and to move forward as a strong district, making sure our facilities are good and academic standards are there having what is needed in order to be successful.
Mrs. Adams thanked Mr. Johnson for that but included the community and stakeholders’ involvement as well.
Mr. Johnson thanked the Carroll High School Alumni for their presentation.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Greer the Board approved February 15, 2022, Board meeting minutes, approved 2022-2023 school calendar, Carroll High School band permission to travel to six flags Arlington, Texas, Wossman High School visitor side bleachers to be added to the press box renovation contract and permission to advertise for Wossman High School visitor side bleachers. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5A – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Neal Greer the Board approved J.S. Clark to travel to Grand Prairie, Texas. The motion carried four (4) in favor and one (1) Mr. Johnson recused.
Action Item 5B – Consent for separate Consideration (added to the agenda as an action Item)
On a motion by Mrs. Greer and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry, the Board approved to do a feasibility study and halt the current project on chillers at Carroll High School.
Ms. Haneline asked Principal Davis of Carroll High School to give his input on the halt of the chillers. Dr. Davis stated a lot of things the alumni presented made sense. When he’s in the mix everyday he does not get a chance to see everything and never pay attention to the noise. Ms. Haneline asked if the teachers complain about the noise. Dr. Davis said yes. He stated the school has problems with heating and air and asked where it can be moved to. He mentioned he and Dr. Vidrine met about trying to create a commons area for the kids to study or hang out at lunch. He is very involved with the committee and Foundation on what they are trying to do. He said it’s not only outside but inside academically. He stated they want to see what support the Board can give on their end. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Attorney Lawrence stated for the record, the work that is currently being done and to authorize the engagement of the design professionals for the feasibility study and not to exceed five thousand for Engineering Firm and not to exceed one thousand for the Architect.
Mr. Johnson thanked Attorney Lawrence for clarity
Agenda Item 6A – Report of Superintendent
• Pre-K and Kindergarten round up March 21st Policy committee will make sure policy is in place
Agenda Item 6B –Financial Report
• Audit will be in next board meeting and presented by Davona/auditors
• January Finance reports can be viewed on board docs
• July – January sales tax is currently up (have not had a down month since July)
• Sales tax check will be issued in June
Dr. Vidrine stated he has been getting so many thank you and congratulations.
So many teachers and paras have applied for the continuing education to get certified, re-certified, continue to a master, teacher, or PhD. He stated he has received calls from around the state Superintendents asking how he is funding the continuing education program. He responded we invest in our teachers. Hopefully they love to be here and will stay. He wanted to personally thank the Board even though they may not see it, but he does, and the staff is very appreciative for the opportunity.
Mr. Johnson asked if the district is still on schedule for second portion of covid pay in May. Dr. Vidrine responded, yes.
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Ms. Haneline noted from the Policy Committee meeting what was discussed
• Vaccination exemption policy making sure it’s communicated with parents and their rights
• School choice Policy JBCE with slight change to percentage on school population
• Extracurricular policy will be sent to the budget committee for further discussion
Ms. Haneline mentioned March is Social Workers month and Monroe City School Board Facebook page has done a good job on recognizing the Social Workers that are part of the school district. She stated they are very important to us, especially with what we are dealing with now. It’s good to recognize the importance of mental health. She mentioned spring break is coming up and practice self-care. She thanked Dr. Vidrine for looking into summer camps to see if we can offer education track in addition to an enrichment track. She spoke with Serena White to see if it’s possible to offer different tiers of pace. She stated she was helping a colleague in a different part of the state and their school board has not been transparent about the Esser funds. The bus drivers are unhappy because they have not been paid any extra. She wanted to applaud our district again for not only being transparent but one of the few districts that has a full plan on the state website. She stated Dr. Vidrine, and his team has done a great job of making sure we are taking care of our staff.
Mr. Saulsberry thanked Carroll High School Alumni Association for their presentation and diligence. He stated he is 100 percent behind and will support what they are doing. He stated when you have the community involved and want to make a change, its only right the Board support the community. He stated he and Mr. Johnson attended the school board conference and wanted to share information about nutrition. He mentioned how the kids are not eating lunch and throwing food away. The presenter suggested the district do a nutrition survey with the students to find out what they want. Mr. Saulsberry asked Dr. Vidrine, and Attorney Lawrence which committee would be responsible for this. Attorney Lawrence stated maybe policy. Mr. Johnson added it’s not on our Superintendent because it’s under the federal regulation. The presenter recommended the Superintendent and food service manager to see what steps need to be taken to create this committee and figure out within the realms of federal law. Attorney Lawrence stated you have some freedom but with restrictions. The federal part is the restriction. Attorney Lawrence stated the first step is to conference with the Superintendent and the food service manager about how or who should serve on such committee. Mrs. Haneline recommended if we put together this committee there’s a couple of agencies, she worked with in the past, alliance heathier generation that works specifically on food nutrition for school age kids in the school and the LSU Ag, that have nutrition experts and some familiarity. She thanked Mr. Johnson and Mr. Saulsberry for sharing information on nutrition. Mr. Saulsberry noted a Parent Task Force meeting will be held on March 23, 2022, at 5pm to 6pm.
Mrs. Cooper wanted to take the opportunity to salute our stake holders. Mrs. Cooper stated this is stressed on our Board to put the public back into public education. We know the information and wisdom that they have and need that input; so, with them coming with the project for Carroll and others that have come for other projects (we smile when we see that). She wanted to personally thank them for what they are doing. In addition to that, Mrs. Cooper wanted to salute the women of this great world. This is Women’s History Month. Especially the women on this Board. We know women play an important role in making this country a more perfect union. A lot of behind-the-scenes work
and the many services women provide. The curriculum committee meeting was a success. One presenter gave information on summer school program. She stated there was an update on our new literacy coaches and what they are doing in our schools. Only 24 percent of the public education students that enter fourth grade are proficient readers. This is alarming and need all hands-on deck to help the school district and all involve turning it around. Illiteracy affects everything negatively. Individuals, family of individuals, the community in which we live and economy. She mentioned she will be on a virtual panel with Urban League for an empowerment policy conference, the topic is on education equity. She will be on virtual with five other families and hopefully everyone can join in. She stated our Board was well represented in Baton Rouge at the state conference. Mrs. Cooper thanked the ones who made it possible for them to attend. She mentioned how it helps the Board to be more effective and efficient Board members to the people we serve.
Mrs. Greer thanked everyone for their texts, phone calls, and prayers. She was unable to make it to the state conference due to her husband being ill, but he is much better. She thanked Carroll High School Alumni for their hard work on the presentation and stated there was a lot of history and information given to the Board. The work is pretty much done and will try to make some of these things happen. Mrs. Greer thanked the principals that were in attendance.
Mr. Johnson wanted to spotlight Timothy Player of Carroll High School who scored a 33 on his ACT. Mr. Johnson asked Dr. Davis to let Timothy know that we are very proud of him for his academic achievement and to keep up the good work. Mr. Johnson mentioned they had a great time at the state conference and its good for the Board members to attend to gain knowledge and to see what other districts are doing to where we can bring ideas back to our district as well as sharing ideas with them. He mentioned how one school invested less than 10 thousand dollars into teacher recruitment. He stated our district does a good job by having students in a teacher program at local universities come in the classrooms, job shadow teachers and offered jobs. He would love to see an extra spin on recruiting teachers. He stated the presenter in the nutrition class mentioned this is the last go round on PEBT and will work a little different. This time is based on the kid absence in school. He is always eager to learn more for our school district. He thanked Carroll High School Alumni for their presentation and apologized for missing the facilities meeting due to him being in Hammond, La with the girl Basketball Team. Mr. Johnson stated the PowerPoint was emailed to him so he can review it. The Board will do what they can to partner with the Alumni to work through some of their concerns. They are trying to keep the community involved and ask the community to come out and support the committee meetings.
Agenda Item 7 A – Future Meetings
Board Meeting of Education Meetings – April 19, 2022, and May 17, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 8 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Cooper. The motion carried unanimous vote.
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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.
