Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, November 4, 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 Michael Thompson of Olive Branch, West Monroe offered prayer. Carroll High School ROTC presented the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1E – Roll Call
Present: Betty Ward Cooper, Bill Willson, Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Daryll Berry, and Brenda Shelling
Absent : Michael Sampognaro, Brandon Johnson
Agenda Item 1F – Adoption of the Agenda
Ms. Haneline motion to move item 3B from consent agenda to 4A for separate consideration due to unclear policy changes.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved to adopt the agenda with the above amendment. The motion carried.
Agenda Item 2A – Proclamation by the Board to the Superintendent of recognition of LDOE/BESE recognition of Monroe City School District academic achievement
Proclamation: LEAP Top Growth Recognition. Monroe City School District recognized by LDOE and BESE as one of seven districts statewide achieving 2025 LEAP top growth (grades 3–8 and high school).4 percentage point increase in academic performance. The proclamation will be entered into the official record and to be shared publicly.
A photo with Superintendent Moore and staff was taken
Consent Agenda Item 3A – F
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved (excluding 3B which was moved to 4A).
board of education minutes for October 7, 2025; adoption of resolution approving responses to the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the fiscal year ending 2025; permission to advertise for surplus sales; 2025-2026 pupil progression plan; and 2026 board meeting schedule. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 4A – Consent Items for Separate Consideration – Adoption of amendments to Policies GAAA – Equal Employment Opportunity; IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; IDDFC – Cameras in Special Education Classrooms; JAA – Equal Education Opportunities; JD – Discipline; JDA – Corporal Punishment
On a motion by Ms. Hameline and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved the adoption of amendments to policies GAAA – Equal Employment Opportunity; IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities; IDDFC – Cameras in Special Education Classrooms; JAA – Equal Education Opportunities; JD – Discipline with addition to notify parent(s) within 24 hours and JDA – Corporal Punishment. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A – Authority to make legal demand and to initiate legal action for recovery of school funds received or spent without proper authorization.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and second by Ms. Haneline. Ms. Haneline asked for clarification.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved granting authority to legal representation of the school board to make legal demands and to initiate legal action for recovery of school funds received or spent without proper authorization. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda 5B – Authority to investigate suspected faulty design professional work and to initiate necessary legal action to recover damages and other legal remedies.
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved to table this agenda item. Motion carries by majority vote.
In Favor: Bill Willson
Brenda Shelling
Daryll Berry
Betty Ward Cooper
Not in Favor: Jennifer Haneline
Agenda Item 5C – Adoption of resolution authorizing terms of sale of Nutland Road surplus school campus property to OIC.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved adoption of resolution authorizing terms of sale of Nutland Road surplus school campus property to OIC. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5D – Agenda Report of receipt of Type 3 Charter School application from Neville Charter Association on October 20, 2025.
No action
Agenda Item 5E – Authorization to notify of legislative delegation of charter application of Neville Charter Association, per LRS §17:3983.1
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved Authorization to notify of legislative delegation of charter application for the Louisiana revised statute before November 7th. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5F – Authorization to hire independent charter application evaluator as required by LRS §17:3982(A)(1)(a)(i) to review the charter application of Neville Charter Association.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved the Authorization to hire independent charter application evaluator. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 6A – Report of Superintendent
- The November Sales Tax check will be distributed on Friday, November 14, 2025.
- The auditors made their first visit last week for the 2024-2025 audit.
Thanks to Board Member Bill Willson and Century Next Bank for their sponsorship that allowed approximately 80 students from Carroll High School to visit VCOM medical school. The students were introduced to possibilities and careers in the medical field. - Thank all the teachers, staff and the district team for all the hard work and educating our kids daily to lead our district to be recognized for growth
- The district remains committed to inclusive and high-quality learning opportunities for all students.
- The Special Education Advisory Council held its first meeting of the 2025–2026 school year, featuring a presentation from Kimberly Peters of Positive Behavior Outcomes ABA.
- Several Monroe City Schools’ Gifted and Talented educators are presenting at the AGTSLA (Association for Gifted and Talented Students in Louisiana) statewide conference.
- 21st Century After-School Program continues to expand enrichment opportunities for students.
- On October 21, the program hosted its Fall Lights On Afterschool event in partnership with the Children’s Coalition and the LACAL (LA Center for Afterschool Learning).
- The celebration held at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo was a tremendous success, with over 543 students from our five 21st Century campuses participating.
- 21st Century sponsored MLK students in attending Grambling State University’s High School Day, where they toured the campus.
- Recognized for system growth, especially in literacy; DIBELS scores increased 11% from one spring cycle to the next.
- Appreciation expressed for teachers, staff, and district team’s data-driven practices.
- Considering upgrading district website for attractiveness and user-friendliness; discussions with chamber (Roy Heatherly) and board member Wilson.
Transportation
We are utilizing our new bus monitoring system to track data that can be used to determine rate of speed, braking, acceleration, length of routes and other information that can be used to more efficiently serve our students.
Custodial/Warehouse
we have implemented a new inventory system to track packages that arrive via Amazon that will allow our technicians to keep an accurate record of what is received.
Maintenance
Training is continuing in our Ticket Reporting software (Brightly) and we are expecting it to be at full implementation soon.
Child Nutrition
No new information to report.
Safety
Dr Watson and Dr Bush are currently at School Safe Conference. We’ve received a lot of information that can inform our practices moving forward. If approved, we will enlist assistance to have a comprehensive safety assessment completed by a professional that will map each location and provide specific data that will assist in crisis prevention and reaction time to an event.
Agenda Item 6B – September 2025 Financial Reports
Located on BoardDocs
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Jennifer Haneline – will schedule a meeting with Superintendent Moore about concerns on the budget
Bill Willson – recognized Superintendent Moore on a great job presenting for the Excellence in Education. Mr. Willson provided information on the website so that it will be easier to navigate. He thanked J.S. Clark and Principal Wendy LaSuzzo and staff. Century Next |Bank was able to sponsor an honor roll breakfast.
Agenda Item 7A – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – December 9, 2025, and January 13, 2026, at 6:00pm
Agenda Item 8A – Executive Session – Status and consideration of resolution of Alvania Horace v. Monroe City School Board, No. 2023-3003 (4th JDC-Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana} legal claims.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved to enter executive session at 7:12pm for 15 minutes
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Berry executive Session reconvened at 7:23pm.
On amotion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved to accept the Status and consideration of resolution of Alvania Horace v. Monroe City School Board, No. 2023-3003 (4th JDC-Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana} legal claims. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 9 - Recess/AdjournThere being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.Bottom of Form
****Bottom of Form/Betty Ward Cooper/_ _ /Sam L. 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.
