Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, May 17, 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. Prayer and Pledge was offered by Pastor Earl Davis, Assistant of Living Waters International Church of Monroe.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Mr. Bill Willson, Ms. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson, Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer, and Mr. Daryll Berry
Absent: Ms. Jennifer Haneline
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Cooper, the Board approved the agenda as printed. Mr. Willson made a motion to add Mr. Byron McCoy Jr, to speak to the Board and present the exemption form required for the upcoming year for parents that did not want their children given the covid vaccination added to the agenda. Mr. Berry seconded the motion.
Mr. McCoy presented information on covid 19 vaccination. He stated he wanted the elective official to have the opportunity to vote on the exemption. He stated in the policy meeting on last month, Dr. Vidrine mentioned he would add this to the handbook and did not give the Board the opportunity to discuss or notify parents. He stated the school Board supposed to create polices but never given the opportunity and the Superintendent should administer those policies. He stated to the Board Members, it’s their job to make sure those policies are administered. Mr. McCoy issued handouts to the Board Members. Mr. Johnson asked for a roll call.
In Favor: Mr. Saulsberry, Mr. Willson, Mr. Berry, Mrs. Cooper
Not in Favor: Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Greer
Mr. McCoy was not added to the agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Greer, the board approved agenda as printed.
Agenda Item 2A –Point of Pride – Jacqueline Anderson (photos taken)
Superintendent Vidrine wanted to recognize all Monroe City School District Teachers and Principals of the year. Mrs. Jacqueline Anderson, Elementary Supervisor and Mr. Jerry Mayhall, Secondary Supervisor, administered awards.
Elementary Division:
Barkdull Faulk -Leslie Trahan
Berg Jones – Ruby Roberts
Carver – Shacambria Taylor
Clara Hall – Danielle Miles
J.S. Clark – Valerie Taylor
Cypress Point – Kimberly Franklin
Lexington – McLin Hickman
Roy Neal Shelling – Janice Kilcrease
Madison James Foster – Irish Harris
Sallie Humble – Matthias Drewry, District Elementary Teacher of the Year and State Finalist
Junior High
Carroll Jr – Sandra Norsworthy
Neville Jr – John Navarro District Teacher of the Year for Junior High
Martin Luther King Jr – Latisha Jackson
High School
Carroll – Shirley Neal and District Teacher of the Year
Neville – Jessica Smith
Wossman – Sarah Neal
Sherrouse
Linda Castle
Principal of the Year
Elementary Carver – Valeria Benson
Junior High Carroll Jr High – Montreal Marshall
High School Neville High School – Mickey McCarty
Agenda Item 3A – Financial Audit Report as of June 30, 2021 – Josh Trahan, Carr, Riggs, & Ingram, LLC
Mr. Josh Trahan highlighted the financial audit for June 3o, 2021.
- Three audit reports were issued (financial statements, internal controls over financial reporting and compliance for governmental auditing standards compliance for each major program that were tested over compliance in accordance with the uniform guidance. All three with clean opinions and modifications to these reports
- Revenues increased for the year of about 12 million dollars year over year change. summarized on the report (in packet on boardDocs)
- Expenses went up. Majority of those were grants
- Overall governmental fund balance which is short term focus has an overall balance of 47.4 million dollars across all funds general in special revenue debt and capital projects.
- General funding increased fund balance $300,000 dollars from prior year; as of June 30, 2021, has an overall fund balance of $19.8 billion dollars
- Sales tax fund had an increase of approximately $2.2 million
- New activity in the current year is bringing all schools financials into this report; prior years only showed operations of central office; these funds are now reported and have audit procedures
- Overall fund balance increased approximately $500,000 dollars with having all schools brought in
- The federal for 2021 had 23 million dollars in federal grants; title 1 approximately 8 million dollars; child nutrition 4.9 million dollars and ESSER funds 5.7million dollars
- Anything over 750 thousand dollars required testing
- Intensive testing was done on Child nutrition and Esser Programs
- Esser had no findings
- A little issue with child nutrition
- There were findings that were identified this year; late issuance of the audit report; individual using personal cash app to collect fees on school’s behalf; missing and inaccurate information that was submitted to the census for the open report that did not cause material change in liabilities; Payroll time sheet inaccuracies fraud was not suspected just key errors on the operation; board violation regarding professionally identified and child nutrition program the reimbursement was not properly supported that caused an overstatement of reimbursement. There has been a corrective action plan on everything that has been presented and reported in package. Mr. Trahan stated overall the staff is very pleasant to work with and always provide information timely and give them open access to what is requested. Board President Mr. Johnson open the floor for questions. None
Request to speak: Vickie Krutzer –
Mrs. Krutzer asked for clarification on school activity funds that’s located on page 14 of the audit report. Mr. Trahan responded the fund balance is the net of the revenues and expenses.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved April 19, 2022, meeting minutes; accepted bids on the press box renovation for Carroll, Neville, and Wossman High School; awarded bid for Wossman High School based Health Center and Barkdull Faulk Elementary 4-H Club to travel to New Orleans by school bus.
Action Item 5A – Approval of Policy JBCE School Choice (second reading)
On a motion by Ms. Hanline and seconded by Mrs. Greer, the Board approved Policy JBCE second reading.
Action Item 5B – Acceptance of the Facilities Committee recommendation to modify existing bid specifications to provide for the relocation of the cooling chillers on the Carroll High School campus, consistent with relocation options presented in the EMA Engineering & Consulting, Inc. Feasibility Report of April 2022
Mr. Saulsberry gave an update and recommendation on previous facilities meeting. He informed everyone that the Joyce and Morehead Foundation were concerned about the chiller replacement and problem with the noise and other things among the beautification of Carroll High School. A feasibility study was done for relocation of chillers per the Foundation request. It will cost an additional 1.5 million dollars to be relocated. Mr. Saulsberry asked the Board to approve the relocation of the chillers. Mr. Johnson asked Dr. Vidrine to give the exact dollar amount. Dr. Vidrine stated without architecture fees and other fees the estimated cost is $1,402,000. Mr. Willson asked if this includes EPA mitigation of remediation for the coolant. Dr. Vidrine stated yes it does. Mrs. Cooper asked how many bids on this project. Dr. Vidrine responded, none. An architect and engineering firm was hired, Land3 out of Shreveport to begin the process of the chillers that are 40 years old. Six months into this process, the Board voted to suspend this for a $5,000 feasibility study to relocate the chillers.
It was moved by Mr. Saulsberry to allocate the funds to relocate the chillers from where they are currently to option b that was given by the feasibility study and seconded by Mr. Berry.
Public request to speak – Mrs. Dana Jefferson stated this is a lot of money to spend on chiller when they are working where they are currently. She stated it should be another cosmetic way to make the chillers look better or thicker wall. She gave recommendation on building a hedge around the chillers.
Ms. Haneline stated there are a lot of things that need to be done at all the schools. Her concern is good steward of taxpayers’ dollars of the money we have looking at needs versus wants. It’s very imperative that we think intentional and not political. Ms. Haneline stated this is not a good use of the funds. Mrs. Greer visited Carroll High School to see the importance of moving the chillers. Her findings where the chillers only were affecting one classroom. She did a survey that stated students had no problem with it, but some teachers stated it was annoying; as she walked through the facility, she saw where a lot of work needed to be done. The condition of the band room and equipment was a concern. She would rather see money go toward what is a desperate need for our kids. She does not believe it’s feasible currently to move the chillers. Mr. Willson stated the chiller has been there for at least 35 years. He stated from his understanding, this has not been brought to the Boards attention until recently when the process started on updating the chiller system, trying to make it more efficient and reduce the noise. He noted the 2.4 million is an estimate and the estimates that they’ve been getting for construction processes almost doubled in a lot of cases. He stated we are not getting anything out of this but noise reduction and aesthetics. He like the idea Dana Jefferson had about the shrubbery and believe a brick wall was discussed for aesthetics and noise reduction. He stated the fact, it is only affecting one class, no one has had interest in the chiller system in the past 35 years but now that we are on the verge of making it more efficient, quiet and to suddenly change lanes, he does not think it’s prudent. If the cost was less or the Morehead Foundation could pick up the cost would be great. It is too much money to spend on an item that is not enhancing the education of our children. He stated he is against it. Mr. Saulsberry stated he recall last year when Martin Luther king Jr/Wossman High School Health Center was brought to the Board, he asked for a feasibility study prior to construction to place health center inside the school like Carroll Jr High. He stated Martin Luther King Jr was built to hold 450 plus students and have only 300 plus students. He stated a Board Member stated it was built for growth. We paid all these thousands of dollars to the demographer who tells us in 10 years they will lose 40 students with all this extra space and about to vote on a 2 or 3million dollar facility and you want to talk about use of money. It is 1.5 million more dollars than it is now. The cooler chillers must be replaced and was already voted on. Mr. Willson stated for clarification, you cannot see the chiller system from the road. It is behind the main primary building. Teachers and students are the only ones can see the chiller system and public if they go inside the school to look. Mr. Berry stated he support the project, respect the Board Members and the Morehead Foundation feelings, and vote yes for this project. Mrs. Greer noted there is a wall that has an opportunity for expansion near the chillers for the students. She stated its other ways to work it out other than move the chillers.
Roll Call:
In Favor: Mr. Saulsberry, Mr. Berry, and Mrs. Cooper
Opposed: Ms. Haneline, Mr. Willson, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Greer
Action Item 6A New Business – Naming of 2022-2023 Official Journal for the Monroe City School Board
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board approved Monroe Free Press for the Official Journal for 2022 – 2023.
Agenda Item 7A – Financial Reports
- Financial Report was given by Mr. Trahan
Agenda Item 7B – Report of Superintendent
- Superintendent will be requesting Mr. Willson to have a Finance Committee Meeting between now and next Board Meeting and review finances with Mrs. Howard for the upcoming school year.
- On top of State Legislature and Governor recommendation for classified and certified to receive $750/ $1,500, along with the step increase, Superintendent Vidrine will like to recommend a 4% raise across the board for each employee for next school year. He will take it to the finance committee for approval and have it ready for June Board Meeting. If approved, it will take effect July 1, 2022.
- Accountability is changing again, BESE Board announced new standards for our school’s accountability and Dr. Vidrine will voice his opinion on different standards.
- A grant was issued for three (3) years for social workers to be placed in our Junior High Schools. They are in the process of interviewing social workers to place on Junior High campuses for next school year.
- Twenty-four (24) teachers/paras have enrolled in the tuition assistance to become re-certified, certified or receive further education.
- Program that helps teachers with praxis exam will be put in place May 1st
Agenda Item 7C – Report of Board Members
Mr. Saulsberry: No Report
Mr. Berry: No Report
Mrs. Cooper reported there was a curriculum committee meeting on May 21, 2022 and recommended going to BoardDocs (online portal) to find helpful and valuable information for students, parents, and community.
Mr. Willson noted there will be confirmation on the finance committee meeting in the next few weeks. Mr. Willson congratulated the 2022 Senior Classes and wish them the best in their future.
Mrs. Greer thanked the teachers for their hard work and dedication to our students. (teachers’ appreciation last week). Hats off to all the nurses for their hard work (last week nurse’s week). Mrs. Greer thanked the principals that were present to and ready to present their state of presentation. Mrs. Greer shared her concerns on pranks in schools.
Mr. Johnson reported there have been request about the upcoming Board meetings. Mr. Johnson will meet with Dr. Vidrine and Board Members in a timely manner, so that principals can be contacted about their end of the year presentations if need be.
Agenda Item 8 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – June 7, 2022 and July 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Greer. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
***
___/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.Bottom of FormBottom of Form
