Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 4, 2022 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 Brandon Johnson. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance was offered by Pastor, Tom Lowe of Christ Church of West Monroe, La.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: President Brandon Johnson, Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Mr. Daryll Berry, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, and Mr. Bill Willson
Absent: Ms. Jennifer Haneline and Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry, seconded by Mrs. Cooper, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr. Saulsberry, the Board approved September 6, 2022 board meeting minutes; approval of Roosevelt Pine name to be added to the music building at Carroll High School; Permission to advertise for bid for 2022-2023 SFS produce and fresh fruit & vegetable program; renewal of contract between Carroll High School Medical Magnet Program and University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Nursing, Mentoring Program; affiliation agreement between Carroll High School Medical Magnet Program and Ouachita Healthcare Rehabilitation Center; permission for Carroll High and Carroll Jr High School HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) students to travel to Natchitoches, LA; approval of first reading of policies GBDA (Employment of Retired Personnel), GBN (Dismissal of Employees), GBRID (Military Leave), JBCE (Public School Choice), JGCE (Child Abuse) and approval of resolution waiving introduction and second reading requirements, and adopting retention schedule amendment to Board Policy DIE.
Agenda Item 3 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
Agenda Item 4A – Introduction and First Reading of Policy JCDAF
Attorney Lawrence noted policy JCDAF is for introduction and first reading. He will discuss this policy with Ms. Haneline, Mr. Saulsberry, and Mrs. Cooper to see where we are. It will be brought back to November Board meeting for adoption. Mrs. Cooper stated it will need to go back to the policy committee, she has questions and recommendations. Mr. Johnson stated it will go back to the
policy committee for review and bring back to the full board for consideration.
Agenda Item 5A – Form a New Safety Committee
Mr. Johnson noted there has been some concerns in our school district. He stated Ms. Haneline called him with an idea to form a safety committee and would like to have some board members involved along with stakeholders and parents to look at some safety issues throughout our school system. He stated he received another call from a friend that is present and would like to yield his time during the Board members report to allow her to speak. He noted those concerns are being heard and the Board is going to do whatever to make this happen. Once this committee is formed, he will move forward with any policies that need to be formed with the Monroe City School District as well as taking it to the facilities committee and so on to continue our schools being safe. Mr. Johnson noted Ms. Haneline will chair this committee along with Ms. Cooper and Rick Saulsberry if accepted. Mr. Saulsberry and Mrs. Cooper accepted the safety committee.
Agenda Item 6A – Financial Reports
* Financial reports can be viewed in BoardDocs
Agenda Item 6B – Report of Superintendent
* 5 Policies were brought to the committee for discussion
* 4 Policies were referred to Dr. Vidrine and Attorney Lawrence for review and will be brought back to the policy committee meeting before next meeting
* Voter’s registration day for high school seniors is October 4th through October 18th the goal is to have 18year old students registered prior to this date to allow them to vote in November election and concentrate on the 17-year-olds that will turn 18 registered for the spring election.
Dr. Vidrine noted that the LSBA Organization has changed, they are no longer a part of the NSBA (National School Board Association). The LSBA is now a form of Consortium of State school Boards Association (COSSBA).
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Mr. Saulsberry congratulated Carroll High School on their homecoming victory. Mr. Saulsberry noted a facilities meeting will be held on October 18th. Mr. Saulsberry explained his withdraw from the election and congratulated Mr. Sampognaro.
Mr. Berry congratulated Mr. Alfred Cherry on recognition of his brother Mr. Roosevelt Pine name to be added to the music building at Carroll High School. He stated all the events at Carroll High School went very well. He acknowledged Reverend Clarence Jackson, who stated he and some pastors will start visiting Board meetings to get an idea on what’s going on and perhaps give input. Mr. Berry recognized Ms. Kenya Roberson, Executive Director of the Regional African American Chamber of Commerce, Union representatives and Marie Brown.
Mrs. Cooper reported there have been several policy meetings to review and modify updated polices from legislature. She reported on the curriculum meeting that was held on last week. The main topic was leap assessment results. She stated the results can be reviewed on louisianabelieves.com and/or you tube. She invited everyone to meetings and give input. Mrs. Cooper acknowledge the leaders that does the school walk every year in Ouachita Parish. She stated they met with congress woman Julia Letlow yesterday and plan on meeting again to make concerns known.
Mr. Willson thanked his Employer Century Next Bank, Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Vidrine and Monroe City School System in helping sponsor an amazing concert event at Neville, Carroll, and Wossman High School. Mr. Roy Moye, an aeronautical engineer, Grammy nominated singer came and performed for the third and fourth grade students. He noted more role models are needed and especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for our students. He stated banners are in the process of being completed for majority of the schools, a couple schools have banners already with no cost to our school system. Mr. Willson thanked all the organizations that enabled this to happen. He stated Mrs. Letlow is the first Louisiana Congresswoman in the last 10 years to be placed on the appropriations committee. He recognized Michael Sampognaro, newly elected soon to be school board member from District I.
Mr. Johnson allowed Kenya Roberson to speak on his behalf. Ms. Roberson stated she is the Executive Director of the Monroe Region Black Chamber of Commerce, the Vice President of Wossman High School Alumni Association, and a parent of a Wossman High School student. She voiced her concerns on safety in the schools. She’s aware a budget will need to be in place, but more officers are needed in the schools. She asked which is more important, money or a life. Ms. Roberson stated she choose life for students, faculty, and staff as well as the community. Ms. Roberson believes when the policies and budgeting is reviewed you will find more funding to be allocated towards security in the school system. She stated we’ve been lucky, but around the world not so lucky. Ms. Roberson stated she would hate for the system to be reported on the news that we’ve lost a child or faculty member because our budget would not allow us to implement a change and to put more resource officers or at least one officer at each school. She stated if there is a problem with not having enough bodies in terms of officers being on the street, there are other options. We have a marshal’s office that are certified and carry weapons, we may need to pull together and utilize them as well. She believes this should be brought back to the table to relook at how we are securing our students, school, and faculty.
Agenda Item 7 – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – November 1, 2022, and December 6, 2022, at 6:00p.m.
Action Item 8 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr. Willson the meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
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/Brandon Johnson /Brent Vidrine/
Brandon Johnson 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