Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 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. Pastor Fr. Adrian Fischer OFM of Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Michael Sampognaro, Jennifer Haneline, Bill Willson, Daryll Berry, Betty ward Cooper, and Brandon Johnson
Absent: Brenda Shelling.
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the board adopted the agenda as printed. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 2A Point of Pride – Neville High School B.O.O.M Team – 1st place at the Stompwars Youth Step National Championship
The Neville High School BOOM step team was unable to make the meeting; Superintendent Moore wanted to recognized them for winning the National Championship in Texas.
Agenda Item 3A-F Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Berry the approved Board of Education Minutes, April 8, 2025; Curriculums Goalbook, Frogstreet Press Pre-K, GoSignMeUp, Lexia: Core5 & Powerup Renewal, and Ratification: Neville High School Bloom Youth Sorority Travel to Dallas, Texas. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A – OIC Lease Purchase Agreement (out of sequence) –
Attorney Lawrence gave an update on the OIC lease purchase agreement. Attorney Amy Price with North Delta Title is handling the transactional documents that involves the sale of the old junior high school property located on Nutland Road to OIC of Ouachita. Attorney Price is working near the end of the initial draft of the document that Attorney Lawrence wanted the board to see. This will be the actual transactional document for the transfer title from the school district to OIC. Mr. Lawrence stated there was an appraisal done by Charles Wilkes, commercial real estate appraiser in Monroe. The appraisal price $1,148,000 for that property. Under an agreement that was structuring the request received from Senator Jackson as well as some contacts through the Louisiana Division of Administration that is helping fund this transaction is asking if this can be structured as a lease purchase over a 2 year term. This will be a payment in two big installments. One in the sum of $574,000 now or within the next 90 days which will leave a balance of $574,000 to be paid in a second segment of this transaction. Attorney Lawrence wanted to point out a component of this that’s called earnest money which is sort of a down payment. He stated for whatever reason the contract falls apart and the sale does not go through, the school board gets to pocket and retain 10% of the appraised value which is $114,800. All this is being incorporated into this agreement and wanted to present. The North end of the premises is currently under lease to an organization with the acronym INK until the year of 2028. This document is to fashion the sale to be al lease purchase and to accommodate the continuing the occupancy of the North end of the property. The Monroe City School District is currently receiving $4,000 per month from INK for rent which includes utility cost.
Agenda Item 2B – Point of Pride Neville High School Boys’ Tennis Team – State Champions (out of sequence)
Superintendent Sam Moore congratulated the Neville High School Boy’s tennis team on their State Championship.
Board Member Jennifer Haneline enjoyed watching the tennis team and introduced Coach Katherine and the Tennis team.
Board Member Bill Willson stated this is a great accomplishment for Coach Sandifer and the team.
Agenda Item 5B – Auditor Engagement
Attorney Lawrence noted that they are waiting on the hardcopy of the document from the Auditor engagement. Mr. Lawrence has been in contact with Tom Sims who is the individual he reached out to and shared with him what the Board has indicated to be the desired scope of work.
Agenda Item 6A – Student Group Travel – Board Policy IFCA
Attorney Lawrence explained the student group travel. He apologized and made the correction on Board policy IFCA, it should be IFCB.
Superintendent Moore will approve all various travel request moving forward.
Agenda Item 6B – March 2025 Financial Reports
Financial reports can be found online
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Superintendent
· Revenue is approximately $1.7M more than in March 2024. Sales tax continues to fluctuate.
The district administration is working to determine the most efficient way to utilize all district funding (local, state, & federal) for the 2025-26 school year.
– The Legislative Auditors’ investigation of Student Activity Accounts is ongoing. We have been told that they will be returning for an additional visit.
-MCS Job Fair was held today at Neville Junior High School from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Academic Highlights:
Testing: We are rapidly bringing our state testing to a close. Elementary
campuses are completing make-ups and high school campuses are
concluding initial testing with make-up to follow later in the week. Our testing
process has run very smoothly thanks to the coordination of staff, the
adaptability of students, and the support of families.
DIBELS: End of the Year DIBELS testing concluded on March 16. MCS
demonstrated an 11-percentage point increase from the 2024 End of the year
results to the 2025 End of the year results. All schools and grade levels
demonstrated growth on the DIBELS screener.
21st Century Afterschool Learning concluded its Parental Involvement series led
by Ms. Jamie Mayes at the end of April. Some of the sessions covered in this
series were:
Literacy as a Family
Test Prep – It’s A Family Affair
Staying Engaged At Every Learning Stage.
In the Literacy as a Family session, families worked to develop literacy plans for
their homes. This was a powerful session that is not only directly aligned with the
district’s academic goals around Literacy improvements but also reassures us
of our collective commitment to these goals. The sessions were well received by
all in attendance.
Operations:
The following report provides updates on the Child Nutrition, Custodial/Warehouse, Maintenance, Safety and Transportation departments.
Child Nutrition Services
-CNS would like to extend the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Bid. For all the other bids, April Temple allowed for a one-year extension period. All the bids will need to be bided out (Bread Products, Milk & Juice, Food Products, and Paper & Cleaning Supplies).
-Buddy Moore has retired. Brandon Hunt will be named interim supervisor
Maintenance
-The Sallie Humble project is nearly complete. The contractors are still within their 45-day window, to complete the punch list. Students will not move in until next school year.
-FIIX Program contract will be presented to the full board in June for approval or direction to proceed.
Safety
-Needs assessments have been completed at all secondary schools. Once JS Clark is complete, we will submit a preliminary report to the board.
-Camera installation is complete at nearly 17/19 of our schools. Principals have been overwhelmingly satisfied with new cameras and have been instructed to discover any blind spots for phase 2 of installation
Transportation
-We are conducting an internal audit in transportation looking at potential double-dipping.
-Complaints to our offices have continued to decrease and we are continuing to meet with supervisors and transportation committee to identify areas for improvement.
Superintendent Moore thanked the public for giving them the opportunity to gain public trust and support.
Agenda Item 6D – Report of Board Members
Brandon Johnson – Thanked the District team Leaders for assisting the Superintendent and being present at the board meetings.
Michael Sampognaro – Thanked all the teachers for their hard work in molding the students minds and getting them ready for career in. life.
Bill Willson – Applauded Superintendent Moore on working with the ROTC program and jumpstart programs at Neville High School. He spoke on the significance of META and to lean in on the great opportunity for high school graduates. He thanked Dr. Watson and Mr. Monroe on moving quickly on JS Clark needs. He Suggested to Board Member Brandon Johnson to have a facilities committee meeting soon. Mr. Willson noted he had a thorough and in-depth insurance committee meeting last week. Mr. Willson gave a shout out to Will Campbell the highest drafted Monroe City School, Neville High School, former student in the NFL, taking in the first-round number 4 pick by the New England Patriots. Mr. Willson stated 2 former teachers passed away, Melissa Brown and Laura Traeweek and asked to keep both families in prayer.
Jennifer Haneline noted for the next facilities committee meeting to address the updates on Neville High Schools cafeteria. She asked Attorney Lawrence to get an update on the ongoing state audit and an estimated timeline. Ms. Haneline recognized retiring employees. Reminder of upcoming graduations Tuesday, May 13 Wossman HS, Wednesday, May 14th Carroll HS, and Thursday, May 15th Neville HS. Ms. Haneline announced that her daughter was selected as the new Junior drum major at Neville HS.
Agenda Item 7A – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – June 10, 2025, July 15, 2025, and August 5, 2025, at 6:00pm
Agenda Item 8A – Executive Session
The Board will convene in executive session to discuss Anthony Pitts, et al v. Monroe City School Board (4th Judicial District Court—Parish of Ouachita (Case No. 13-0369).
Attorney Lawrence noted that Jon Guice, who suggested the executive session texted him at 6:27pm stating it’s not needed.
Agenda Item 9 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mr. Willson, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.Bottom of Form
****
/Betty Ward Cooper/ ____/Sam Moore, III/____
Betty Ward Cooper 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.
