Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 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 Daryll Berry. Rev. Dale Walker, Pine Grove Church 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
It was moved by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, to approve the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A – J. S. Clark Robotics Team Competition
Principal Brian Bush, J. S. Clark Elementary, recognized the Robotics Team on placing 1st place out of six (6) states and over 100 teams. The School Board Members congratulated the Robotics Team on their accomplishment.
Agenda Item 2B – Monroe Federation of Teachers 2021 Holiday Card Award – Rajanah Blanche, Minnie Ruffin
Principal Jeanette Hunter and Sandie Lollie recognized Rajanah Blanche, 4th grader, at Minnie Ruffin Elementary School, for setting a trend for the first time for Monroe City School District. Rajanah designed and won the Christmas Card competition sponsored by The Monroe Federation. The card will be sent to the White House, Governor John Bel Edwards and all Board Members. Mrs. Hunter thanked Dr. Brent Vidrine, Sandie Lollie and the School Board Members for allowing Minnie Ruffin Elementary School the opportunity to participate. Board Member Brandon Johnson thanked the parents and everyone for their hard work.
Action Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved the proposed bus route increase from $22.00 to $32.00 for afterschool programs and/or activities, and authorized upgrading of playground equipment for all Elementary Schools. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 4 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Ms. Cooper, Neville High School Bengal Belles were approved to travel to Lafayette, LA and New York. The motion carried six (6) in favor and Mr. Johnson recused.
Action Item 5A – Adoption of Monroe City School Board Redistricting Plan (based on 2020 Decennial Census data)
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Board approved Monroe City School Board Redistricting Plan #4. Mr. Mitchell with North Delta presented the redistricting plan that is mandated by law every ten (10) years to make sure the district is in alignment with the current Census. Mr. Mitchell stated he believes the district is close to having a plan that can be accepted and submitted to the Secretary of State, the Justice Department, Registrar of Voters, and the Clerk of Court. Mr. Mitchell stated that the deviation is currently 9.9%. Mr. Bill Willson stated the goal was 10% or below. Mr. Mitchell agreed 10% or below is an acceptable range if there are no major issues. Mr. Mitchell stated that he and School Board Attorney Doug Lawrence worked on getting this percentage down on previous runs while trying to keep the splitting of precincts to a minimum. If this plan is adopted, a submission will be sent to the Secretary of State. Mr. Mitchell stated Dr. Vidrine should have a copy of the resolution that need to be signed and will become part of the submission to The Secretary of State. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5B – Approval of Monroe City School District elementary, middle, and secondary school attendance zone modifications
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Greer Neal, the Board approved the Monroe City School District Elementary, Middle and Secondary School attendance zone modifications. Vidrine stated between 6 to 8 months ago, Mr. Mike Heffner came to give a 10-year survey on how the population was going and where the schools are crowded. Carver is one of the schools that has lost a lot of students over the past 6 – 8 years. The area around Carroll High School currently at Lexington and Sallie Humble will be grandfathered in. It will affect around 155 student which 42 of those students are at J. S. Clark in that area. Lexington and Sallie Humble will be grandfathered in. Parent(s) will have an option of both, and all transportation will remain the same and will add bus routes going in that direction. Dr. Vidrine does not expect much activity right now with the four (4) year transition. He does not expect the fifth (5) graders to move schools going into sixth (6) grade. They will have the option to stay. This process will take four (4) to six (6) years. Dr. Vidrine stated you will not see much movement next year at all. President Daryll Berry stated this is a good idea to help improve the schools on the Southside and make them stronger. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 5C – COVID – 19 Supplemental Pay for Employees
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline and Ms. Cooper the Board approved the Covid-19 supplement. Dr. Vidrine stated $1,000 will be disbursed for first semester in January 2022 and another $1,000 disbursed for second semester in May 2022 which is a total of $2,000 dollars. The distribution will cost approximately 1.6 million dollars in January and 1.6 million dollars in May. The final approval was approved by LDOE. The 1,000 dollars will be the same for Classified and Certified employees. Mr. Johnson asked, what was the rationale for splitting the check in January and May versus cutting one check in January. Dr. Vidrine informed Mr. Johnson the employees are getting a check for each semester worked and that’s how it was approved by the LDOE.
Public Comment: Ms. Sandie Lollie spoke in favor of employees receiving a one-time $2,000 check.
Roll call: 5 in favor, Mr. Willson abstain, and Mr. Johnson recuse.
Agenda Item 5D – Approval to contract with Purtle & Associates
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Saulsberry, the Board approved to contract with Purtle & Associates to provide engineering services for chiller projects. The motion carried unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 5E – Action on Midsouth Extrusion Tax Exemption 2021 request under the Louisiana Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)
No action taken.
Agenda Item 6A – Report of the Superintendent
Recognition of Teachers and Principals of the Year Winners.
Teachers: Sallie Humble Elementary, Mr. Matthias Drewry, Neville Jr. High, Mr. John Narvarro and Carroll High, Ms. Shirley Neal.
Principals: Carver Elementary, Valeria Benson, Carroll Jr. High, Montreal Marshall, Neville High School Mickey McCarty.
Recognition of the six (6) Carver Elementary choir students that were selected to participate in the Southern All State Honor Choir in North Carolina, February 23-27, 2022, to represent Monroe City Schools. Congratulations to John Russell, II, Choir Director.
Agenda Item 6D – Report of Board Members
Ms. Sharon Greer Neal wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ms. Cooper reported on the Monroe Chamber Accent on Excellence Reception and was glad to represent the Board and cheer on the honorees. Ms. Cooper stated the LSBA Coffee Conversations the past week were excellent. They talked about the importance of advocacy by Board Members and the upcoming 2022 Legislative Session.
Ms. Haneline extended her appreciation to Mrs. Laura Jacobs for her hard work and dedication.
Ms. Haneline thanked the leaders in the schools for another difficult year with dealing with a lot of different issues and trying to help the kids through this process. Ms. Haneline mentioned the recent passing of her mother that lived in Chicago and thanked everyone who reached out.
Mr. Saulsberry reported that he and Mr. Berry met with the staff, where they were asked several questions and they answered to the best of their knowledge. Mr. Saulsberry had the opportunity to do a presentation for all the principals in the principal meeting in reference to the Parental Involvement Task Force. He asked principals to assign one (1) person to attend the meeting in their place if they are unable to attend. The next Task Force meeting will be held at the Monroe City School Board Room January 18, 2022, at 5:00 pm.
Mr. Johnson wished everyone a Happy Holidays and Mrs. Jacobs the best on her retirement.
Mr. Willson repeated what was said by Mr. Johnson and added his condolence to Ms. Haneline. Mr. Willson congratulated all three (3) high schools in making the playoffs in football. He congratulated Neville High School for making the semifinals again. Mr. Willson stated while football is important, academics is more important, and he wanted to recognize Breard Inabinet for his accomplishments. Breard became the second, technically the third, football player in our district from Neville that has made 4.0 through the mid-year of their senior year. The other two (2) players were recognized in New Orleans at the State Championship game. The other was named All District place kicker this year. This is another example of what type of students Monroe City School District is putting out. Mr. Willson wishes everyone Happy Holidays and thankful for Dr. Vidrine, District and Staff.
Mr. Berry stated it has been a good year and a lot has been done at the schools. Mr. Berry gave best wishes to Mrs. Jacobs on her retirement and appreciate everything she has done.
Agenda Item 7 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – January 25, 2022, and February 15, 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 6:47 p.m.
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/Daryll Berry/_____________ _/Brent Vidrine/____________
Daryll Berry 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.
