Monroe City School Board of Education?
2006 Tower Drive?
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES?
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 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 Jennifer Haneline. Ursula Ashley offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elijah Boy Scout Troop#231.
Agenda Item 1C Roll Call
Mr. Sampognaro, Mrs. Haneline, Mr. Willson, Mr. Berry, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Shelling.
Agenda Item 1D -Adoption of the agenda
Mr. Johnson stated based on the board attorney, he would like to make a change to the agenda by removing agenda item 4A.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Berry, the board approved the agenda with the changes to remove agenda item 4A. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A – Presentation – Wossman High School Athletic Training Association Safe School Award – Jason Dunavant
March is National Athletic Trainers month. Mr. Dunavant recognized athletic trainer, Jodie Powell, and the Wossman High School for meeting the criteria and was deemed a National Safe School by the NATA. Mrs. Jodie Powell gave a little background about herself and accomplishments at Wossman High School.
Agenda Item 2B – Carroll High School Ticket Booth
Mr. Berry gave an overview of the Carroll High School ticket booth. Mr. Cedric Hemphill presented information on this project. He said the ticket booth will be behind the auditorium and perfect for this type of facility. The ticket booth will have three windows with speaker phones, secured, storage area, new flooring, canopy, and lighting will be well lit. This is a needed project.
Agenda Item 3A –G and K Consent Agenda
Mrs. Haneline moved Agenda item 3 H, I, and J for separate consideration.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the board approved the consent agenda items A-G and K. The board approved Board of Education minutes of February 13, 2024; 2024-2025 school calendar; approval to advertise the outdoor learning at Martin Luther King Jr. High School; Wossman High School volleyball system approval subject obtaining three quotes; Permission to hire a structural engineer to design a better method to access the rooftop on the cafeteria and gymnasium at Neville High School; permission to advertise for bids on Neville High School cafeteria furnishing furniture and services; J.S. Clark Choir permission to travel to Arkansas; and Jefferson Upper 6th graders permission to travel to Arlington, Texas. Motion carried unanimously.
(out of sequence) Agenda Item added – Agenda Items 3 H, I and J for separate consideration (moved from consent agenda item 3)
On a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the Board approved J.S. Clark 6th grade permission to travel to Orlando, Florida; Carver Elementary 4th grade to travel to Memphis, Tennessee; and Sallie Humble, Barkdull Faulk Orchestra and band travel to Orlando, Florida. The motion carried on a majority vote.
Mr. Brandon Johnson recuse.
Agenda Item 4 A Removed from agenda
Agenda Item 4B – Approval of Resolution Authorizing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury NHS Project – Act 397 Appropriation (La. Legis. Session 2023)
Mr. Shelby gave an overview of the Neville High school softball team request. They are requesting a batting facility for the softball team. Board Attorney Lawrence intervened stating the school is asking the board to designate who these individuals will be at the design professional and contractor level. If the cost is under 250, 000 they do not have to bid but it will need to be approved.
On a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved hiring TAG McGuire Architectural firm to design and bid out the lowest bidder on the project for Neville High School girl softball and approving the current resolution draft. The motion carried unanimously.
Reports of Superintendent -5A
Mrs. White noted the district is entering testing season and you will begin to see schedules regarding testing. Kindergarten, first, second and third grade students will begin dibbles testing after spring break. This is done by rotating the campus’s Literacy Coaches that helps facilitate this. Beginning April 15, 2024 the window opens for LEAP. She asks you to keep students and teachers in your prayers because this is crunch time for them. They are doing an audit of the minutes and making sure they have plenty of instructional minutes in our days and calendar.
The new Superintendent Sam Moore, III thanked the Board for the opportunity to be elected as Superintendent. Superintendent Moore thanked Mrs. White for her support and her role in making Co-Interim Superintendent work in the best interests of the kids. He noted to the community that there will be information forthcoming. Superintendent Moore stated he plans to go into every school building and listen to parents, teachers, staff, and the board to hear their concerns and open the lines of communication not only the board but all stakeholders. He knows everything cannot be discussed because of the legal side but everything that is done will be in the best interest of the children. Sometimes adults are involved and there are documents that are needed, and we must wait to receive this information. They are not putting anyone off or ignoring them but doing their best to make certain that we do right by our system, to be transparent and communicate with everyone. He thanked everyone and looks forward to working with everybody. Mr. Moore stated every child, every adult, every human being counts.
Superintendent Moore gave an overview of the financial report.
Agenda Item 5B – Board Reports
Mrs. Shelling – no report
Mr. Berry – no report
Mr. Willson congratulated the Wossman Boys’ Basketball team for winning the State Championship. This is an incredible achievement, especially coupled with the Wossman girls State Championship this year. Five school board members were able to attend the COSSBA conference in Dallas Texas last month and the LSBA conference where two of the school board members attended. He plans to give an annual update on these conferences. Mr. Willson recognized Neville’s High School baseball team.
Mr. Sampognaro echoed Mr. Willson in reference to Wossman High School basketball teams winning the state Championship. Mr. Sampognaro thanked Mr. Moore and Mrs. White. He congratulated Mr. Moore and commended Mrs. White on a great job.
Mrs. Cooper stated this is Women’s history month and took the opportunity to honor all women on their achievements and contributions they have provided. On March 8th the 4th Judicial court youth planning board was re-established.
Mr. Johnson wanted to personally congratulate Mr. Moore on Superintendent elect and thank Mrs. White for the hard work she has been doing and the team that they have created during this interim time. They are asking Mrs. White to continue to work hard for Monroe City Schools. He stated to Mrs. White that her work has not been in vain and really appreciates her and the board will continue to work with her in making Monroe City Strong and elevate our district.
Board President Jennifer Haneline thanked Mrs. Shelling, Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. White for their strength and contributions that they have given to this community over many years as well as to our system and students. Ms. Haneline recognized this is social worker month. She mentioned there is a women’s symposium tomorrow at ULM from noon to 4:30pm. Mrs. Haneline recognized and thanked the troop leaders for bringing their Boy Scout troop 231 to the board meeting for a civic engagement and being involved. Ms. Haneline wanted the public to know that Mr. Moore, Mrs. White, and the system are doing what they can to ensure the team is getting the support and what they need and appreciate the recognition of their wins and accomplishments in the last several weeks. Ms. Hanline inquired about the tennis courts and did not know what type of agreement is in place. She mentioned she must pay when taking her player over to practice and her son to play on those courts. She’s curious about why this is and believes our students should be using the facilities for free. Mr. Willson asked if the Neville students have to pay. Ms. Haneline stated she does not know. Ms. Haneline thanked the co Superintendents and appreciates the board in showing respect in the process of selecting a new superintendent and congratulated Mr. Moore. They met on the contract negotiation and felt it went well. They are in a good space to make sure they will take care of Mr. Moore. She believes he has a good vision on what he wants to see and has taking on some potentially very difficult targets for performance that will be revealed. They met this week to talk about the legislative audit report on some misconduct in our district. The results are finalized, and a letter of response has been submitted and will be posted sometime this week, as well as their report and other individual reports on the legislative auditor’s website. Ms. Haneline thanked the Board Members for their time in the last couple of weeks and looks forward to moving forward and hopefully one day meeting only once a month.
Agenda Item 6 – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – April 16, 2024, and May 7, 2024; NSBA April 6-8, 2024; Capitol Conference April 17, 2024; Southern Region Leadership Conference July 21-23, 2024
Agenda Item 8 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson the meeting adjourned at 6:44p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
***
/Jennifer Haneline/
Jennifer Haneline
Board President
Bottom of FormBottom of Form
_/Sam Moore,III/____________ /Serena White/__________
Sam L. Moore, III Serena White
Interim Co-Superintendent Interim Co-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
