Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 5, 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. Frederick Louis, Heavenly Travelers Ministry 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 and Mr. Brandon Johnson
Absent: Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Willson, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2 – Prime Time Head Start Presentation
Ms. Miranda Restovic and Ms. Angel Slater presented information on their organization. Prime Time Head Start is a federally funded program operated by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Since 2016, Prime Time has operated head start services in Ouachita Parish. The program is funded to serve 505 three- and four-year-olds at four centers in Monroe and West Monroe. The focus is on early literacy, social skills and other basics to make sure students have the strong foundation necessary to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Prime Time has provided comprehensive early care and education services to 1,734 unduplicated three- and four-year-olds since Summer 2017 and 470 were students enrolled at the MLK site.
Action Item 3 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Cooper, the Board approved September 14, 2021 board meeting minutes; approved Neville High School travel to England, France and Germany; and accepted first reading of policies: BE (School Board Ethics), ID (Curriculum), IDCC (Kindergarten), IDDF (Education of Students with Exceptionalities), JBA (Compulsory School Attendance Ages), JBC (School Admission), JBCE (Public School Choice), JR (Student Records). The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 4 – Consent Items for Separate Consideration
None
Action Item 5A – Suspension of Policy BD and Approval of Policy GBRIBC
Dr. Vidrine noted that the Covid policy expired at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The proposed policy allows for five Covid days which are retroactive to July1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021. He is asking the board to suspend policy BD, which requires a first reading of policies, and adopt policy GBRIBC.
Mr. Saulsberry stated that he is concerned that staff will only receive five days. Ms. Haneline responded that this is a “Covid world” and adding extra sick days for the virus will not go on forever because this is one of the many illnesses people can catch.
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Ms. Cooper, the Board suspended policy BD (School Board Policy) and approved policy GBRIBC (Covid Leave). The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Action Item 5B – Revised Ready to Achieve 2021-2022 Operational Guidelines
Dr. Vidrine noted that the Board adopted the LDOE’s Ready to Achieve Operational Guide at a previous board meeting; however, additional changes have been made concerning Covid protocol as it pertains to close contact. He stated that the district should follow the guidelines of the Louisiana Department of Health and not the LDOE. It is his recommendation to take no action on this item. If no action is taken, the current procedures will remain in place. It was the unanimous consent of the Board to take no action on this item.
Agenda Item 6A – Financial Reports
* The budget has been approved and the Chief Financial Officer has submitted the Annual Financial Report
Agenda Item 6B – Report of Superintendent
* Enrollment is currently 8217; down 35 students from this time last year
* A copy of the new Covid Tree will be emailed to the Board
* Grand opening for the new MLK School will be scheduled upon delivery of cafeteria equipment
* Fall break is October 11-15
Agenda Item 6C – Report of Board Members
Ms. Haneline thanked warehouse staff for their immediate delivery of bottled water to schools. She noted that it is the responsibility of staff to report their needs to administrators.
Mr. Saulsberry reported that the third Parental Involvement Taskforce meeting was a success. The October date and time will be announced.
Mr. Willson reported on the National School Boards Association’s stance on a letter sent by the organization to the U.S. Department of Justice. He stated that he is for freedom of speech and the need for it to be properly regulated at each school board meeting.
Agenda Item 7 – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – November 9, 2021 and December 14, 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 6:47 p.m.
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.
