Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by President Bill Willson. Prayer was offered by Former Board Member, Bishop Rodney McFarland Sr, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board Member Michael Sampognaro.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Mr. Willson, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Absent: Ms. Jennifer Haneline and Mr. Daryll Berry
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
Mrs. Shelling asked to move consent agenda item 2D to consent items for separate consideration and
Mr. Sampognaro asked to move consent agenda item 2H to #3 consent items for separate consideration. On a motion By Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro, the board approved the adoption of the agenda with changes.
Action Item 2 Consent Agenda
Public Comment: Mrs. Kruzter inquired about the dental equipment, and ESSER funds.
Mrs. Krutzer stated for the record, could the President tell us the public, did the auditors come in prior to having a contract signed with the district.
Public Comment: Mrs. Krutzer inquired about Neville High School travel date.
Public Comment: Mrs. Bryant inquired about available tutoring for this year.
Without objection the consent agenda was approved with changes 2D and 2H being moved to #3 consent items for separate consideration. The board approved September 5, 2023 board of education minutes; September 12, 2023 board of education minutes; approved travel for Neville High School BLOOM Hype Youth Organization to Arkansas; adoption for policies BCAD (public participation in school board meetings) and BCBI (teleconference/remote participation in school board meetings);adoption for policies EBBB (school and student safety), EDCA (new-policy carpool and bus lines safety), ;IDCJ (new-policy continuous learning), JB (attendance), JBD (student absences and excuses), JDA (corporal punishment), JGCD (administration of medication) and approval of SmartStart Education contract for LDOE-funded tutoring services for Monroe City Schools for Scholastic year 2023-2024.
Action Item 3 Consent Items for Separate Consideration – agenda items 2D and 2H moved from consent agenda.
2D Revision of MIS (management information systems) job description and 2H approval of Carr Riggs & Ingram Letters of Engagement (3) of August 23, 2023 authorizing audit services for the year ended June 30, 2023, (moved from consent agenda).
Public comment on 2H: Mrs. Bryant voiced her concerns about the time limit with the auditors.
Board Member Shelling inquired about the revision of MIS job description.
Board Member Mrs. Cooper inquired about the position being advertised and salary.
Board Member Mr. Johnson inquired about the changes and salary.
Board Member Mr. Sampognaro received clarification on the job description being added to work from home remotely.
Superintendent Vidrine stated the salary will not change.
On a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mr. Willson, the added job description was approved by majority vote.
In favor:
Mr. Sampognaro
Mr. Johnson
Mr. Willson
Opposed:
Brenda Shelling
Betty Ward Cooper
Agenda Item 3H Approval of Carr Riggs & Ingram Letters of Engagement (3) of August 23, 2023 authorizing audit services for the year ended June 30, 2023
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the board approved the Carr Riggs & Ingram Letters of Engagement (3) of August 23, 2023 authorizing audit services for the year ended June 30, 2023. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 4A New Business – Approval of Monroe City School District 2023-2024 Pupil Progression Plan
Public comment on Agenda Item 4B: Mrs. Lollie inquired about the Certified and Support Staff one-time stipend distribution plan for 2023-2024. Mrs. Lollie stated there have been some concerns from staff members about receiving the money and asked why this can’t be expedited.
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to approve the new business items.
Board Attorney, Mr. Lawrence clarified for the record that this is a one-time stipend from the state and not recurring.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Cooper, a friendly amendment to the motion, the day to release the checks is October 24, 2023 for a one-time payment that was approved by the legislature to give to the support staff and teachers. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A Financial Reports
Public comment: Mrs. Krutzer stated for the record, on the sales tax #2 the general administration the budget says 2,804,000.00 and currently spent 2, 284,000.00, last year at this time 1,232,000.00 was spent. She would like to know why it is over already in one month. She stated on the other purchased services on the 7/20 record in category 500 there is 2,632,000.00 and already at 2,370 thousand will be over budget, 90 percent was spent, she wants to know what it was spent on. Sales tax 2 supplies 2,485,000.00 last year 80 thousand was spent as of today, she asked what the supplies are for in 600. Mrs. Krutzer asked for clarification on the general fund.
Agenda Item 5B Report of Superintendent
* Financial reports can be viewed in BoardDocs
* Grand opening at 1pm Wossman High School
* Exact same enrollment as last year 8,186
* Fire prevention week extravaganza is coming up, fire department will be at the schools.
Agenda Item 5C – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Cooper reported she attended a 911 event at Martin Luther king Jr that was sponsored by the Junior ROTC programs in our school district. Minnie Ruffin Elementary and Wossman High School were included in this event. Mrs. Cooper inquired about why Neville High School does not have ROTC. Dr. Vidrine explained. Mrs. Cooper attended the LSBA Trailblazer Conference, the theme was “The Power of Public Schools”. She learned about additional partners that the district can start affiliating with and thankful for the ones that we have.
Mr. Sampognaro – no report.
Mr. Johnson – no report
Mrs. Shelling reported she attended the Fall Trailblazer. She attended the community and Industry Partnerships class. Their focus was to combine the school district with the community, it was to investigate, communicate and engage by helping to build the community and include the students. Mrs. Shelling clarified with Mr. Willson they have already engaged the partnership with the parents. You must engage the community to resolve the problems that we have. She would like to share interesting points with the administration.
Mr. Willson reported they have been putting emphasis on improving education outcomes for our students across Monroe City School System. A parental involvement meeting was held last night. Parental Involvement meets every Monday of each month typically. They will meet with the principals this Thursday at 9:00am to see how they can do a better job partnering with the schools and parents and achieve parental involvement and engagement. He encourages all board members to participate in this event. Mr. Willson gave an update from Tara Garlington with the 4-H Club. There are eight elementary schools and one Junior High School, Martin Luther King Jr.
Agenda Item 6 – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – November 14, 2023 and December 5, 2023 at 6:00pm
Agenda Item 7A Executive Session- The Board will convene in executive session to receive an update on investigative proceedings involving possible employee misconduct.
On a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the board approved to convene in executive session.
Mrs. Shelling stated she asked for a statement to be added to the agenda before it was posted that would allow them to act upon Superintendent Vidrine’s position. Mrs. Robinson stated she gets off at 4pm on Fridays and it was posted before she left. Mr. Johnson stated Mrs. Shelling’s email was received at 5:20 on Friday.
The motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board reconvenes in open session at 7:41pm. No action was taken.
Agenda Item 8 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Sampognaro and seconded by Mr. Johnson the meeting adjourned at 7:42p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
Bottom of Form
_/William Willson _______ _/Brent Vidrine/____________
William “Bill” Willson 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.
