Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, March 16, 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. Prayer was offered by Ms. Marie Brown and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Ms. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson and Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
Ms. Cooper asked to remove Action Item 5A (supplement for full-time certified and classified employees) from the agenda.
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to approve the agenda as printed.
The motion carried on a majority vote. Ms. Cooper, opposed.
Agenda Item 2A – Financial Audit Report as of June 30, 2020
Mr. Josh Trahan, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, highlighted the audit report for the 2019-2020 fiscal year:
* The district ended the 2019-2020 year with a fund balance in General Fund with approximately $19.5M.
* Governmental funds reported a combined ending fund balance of $49,532,152; a decrease of $5,800,600 from the prior fiscal year.
* The Special Revenue Funds, including nonmajor special revenue funds, have a total fund balance of $17,008,040: $142,026 is non-spendable, $6,941,494 is restricted for salaries and related benefits, $7,809,446 is restricted for instructional costs and $2,111,074 is restricted for food services.
* The Debt Service Funds have a total fund balance of $7,883,962, all of which is restricted for the payment of debt service.
* The two Capital Projects Funds have a fund balance totaling $5,145,522, all of which is restricted for construction projects.
* No instances of non-compliance in Title I.
He congratulated the district on a clean audit with no findings. He noted that recommendations made to management over the years have been implemented.
Agenda Item 2B – Proposed School-Based Health Center at Wossman High School
Dr. Vidrine stated that he has been communicating with Ms. Catherine Tonore, Primary Health Services Center, about the possibility of expanding the school-based health center. It was decided that the campus of Wossman High would be ideal as it will serve approximately 1,400 students on the K-12 campus and other surrounding schools.
Ms. Tonore stated that she has coordinated with the principal of Wossman, Dr. Harrington Watson, to share his vision for the facility. She presented renderings of the proposed site. She noted that the desire is to not have the building look institutional but to represent the community in a positive way. The federal grant is due March 22nd and approval is needed prior to moving forward.
Mr. Johnson indicated that this matter should be voted on due to the timeline. A finance and facility committee meeting can be held concurrently to discuss details.
Addition to the Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haneline, and unanimously approved to add to the agenda, authorization for Ms. Catherine Tonore/Primary Health Services Center to write a grant for the School-Based Health Center at Wossman High School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Greer, the Board approved February 23, 2021 board meeting minutes and adopted the 2021-2022 school calendar. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 4 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
Action Item 5A – Supplement for Full-Time Certified and Classified Employees
It was moved by Mr. Willson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to approve a one-time supplement of $1,500.00 (certified) and $750.00 (classified) for current full-time employees.
Ms. Cooper stated that posting the supplement on Facebook, by a board member, violates the open meeting law. She is happy that employees will receive an incentive; however, this suggests to the public that the board has met and made a decision on this matter. Mr. Johnson stated that a finance committee meeting was held prior to board meeting and the matter was discussed. He would like to have seen everyone receive the same amount, but it was the vote of the committee to do otherwise. He noted that the premature Facebook post caused numerous questions for board members. Ms. Haneline stated that this did not violate the open meeting law because there was no secret meeting. The superintendent suggested this and shared it with the board. The board member is only guilty of being excited about the possibility of employees receiving an incentive.
Mr. Saulsberry asked Dr. Vidrine to explain to the public why the stipends are different. Dr. Vidrine responded that the potential surplus was reviewed, and several amounts were considered. This distribution was based on the way it has been distributed in the past with the 1968, 1994 and 2001 sales tax. Amounts have also been different when raises were given by the state and he followed the same protocol.
The motion carried on a majority vote. Ms. Cooper, opposed.
Public Comment: Ms. Sandie Lollie thanked the board for the supplement because employees are deserving; however, support workers are questioning the equity. The board has latitude when distributing K-12 funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, and she hopes consideration is given equally if monies are distributed in the future.
Action Item 5B – Authorization for Ms. Catherine Tonore/Primary Health Services Center to write a grant for a School-Based Health Center at Wossman High School
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson to authorize Primary Health Services Center to begin the process for securing a School-Based Health Center at Wossman High School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 6A – Financial Reports
* For the first time in many years, there were no findings in the audit report.
* The district is financially stable and ranks seventh in the state with an AA Bond Rating.
* Detailed January 2021 financial reports can be viewed in BoardDocs.
Agenda Item 6B – Report of Superintendent
* Pre-K roundup is in progress for the upcoming school year.
* The flex-day will end after the 3rd 9-weeks and the regular schedule will return after spring break.
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Greer stated that she would like to continue State of the School presentations. Each principal will report on the 2020-2021 school year.
Ms. Cooper reported on her attendance at the Louisiana School Boards Association Convention.
Mr. Willson reported that COVID-19 vaccines are available through Primary Health Services Center.
Ms. Haneline reported that she attended the State of Black Health Symposium and she encouraged board members to attend the next virtual session.
Mr. Saulsberry commended Tamara Ross from Cypress Point on the well-executed virtual Black History Program.
Agenda Item 7 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – April 20, 2021 and May 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 8 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Bottom of Form
****
Bottom of Form /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 laura.jacobs@mcschools.net.
