Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, October 6, 2020 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 Cooper. Pastor John L. Russell, II New Antioch Baptist Church, offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Notice: In compliance with Governor Edwards’ Executive Order and the Attorney General’s open meetings guidance concerning the worldwide pandemic COVID-19, the Board will adhere to the in-person attendance limit and practice social distancing while in the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed to allow the community to virtually attend the meeting and see actions of the Board in real time.
Agenda Item 2C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Rick Saulsberry, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Ms. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Brandon Johnson and Mrs. Sharon Neal Greer. Absent: Mr. Daryll Berry
Action Item 2D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the Board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 3 – Point of Pride
Mrs. Melanie Hurd, Roy Neal Shelling Elementary School Assistant Principal, noted that the school was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. This grant will allow each student to receive two to three books to keep at home, with hopes of them building their own library. The school is also a grant recipient of 430 coats from Operation Warm Coats. Every face-to-face students has received a coat and virtual students will receive theirs at a later date.
Ms. Haneline stated that it would be an asset to the district to have a dedicated grant writer.
Action Item 4 – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the Board approved September 15, 2020 Board meeting minutes and authorized the purchase of a sound reinforcement system for Wossman High School. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 5A – Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) Report
Ms. Summer Clark, Regional GEAR UP Coordinator, provided a brief overview of the program. GEAR UP is a federally funded program that is supported by the United States Department of Education and administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. The goal is to ensure that students enter and succeed in post-secondary education. Six schools in the district – junior and senior high – are being served. Initiatives are aimed toward ensuring students are college and career ready by providing tutoring, college and career exploration, parent engagement, TOPS and financial aid information, FAFSA completion assistance, ACT/SAT prep, PBIS support, Explorers’ Club, as well as sponsored events such as GEAR Up Week, college tours, and summer academic programs.
Agenda Item 5B – Report of Superintendent
* October 1, 2020 student count estimates that the enrollment decreased by 20 students.
* Carroll, Neville and Wossman have been granted the Business Academy Initiative through Jump Start in partnership with ULM and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
* Hurricane Delta is being closely monitored for possible school closure.
* MLK school project is scheduled for completion in spring 2021.
Agenda Item 5C – Financial Reports
* August sales tax collections: 1968 sales tax increased 2%; 1994 and 2001 sales tax decline 4%.
* First payment for Neville scoreboard is due December 2020.
* Detailed July 2020 financial reports can be viewed in BoardDocs.
Agenda Item 5D – Report of Board Members
Ms. Neal reported on the Ad Hoc Parental Involvement meeting. She noted that the meeting was very informative, and several suggestions were discussed. It was recommended that suggestion boxes be placed at each school site so that parents and staff can share ideas or bring awareness to issues.
Mr. Willson thanked Ms. Greer and Mr. Berry for their assistance in helping him with the Ad Hoc committee meeting. He stated that in 2019, while serving as president, he appointed an Ad Hoc Parental Involvement Committee; however, no meeting was held. Principals from schools that need academic improvement were invited to attend. Feedback was received and ideas were shared. The first meeting was productive and follow-up meetings will be planned.
Mr. Johnson stated that it appears that the Ad Hoc meeting was helpful; but there is a problem with the process: all Board members were not informed about the meeting and the Board president did not make the committee assignment. Schools represented at that meeting are in his district; yet, he had no knowledge of the meeting. He asked Dr. Vidrine to explain procedures for COVID reporting. Dr. Vidrine responded that principals report cases in the Louisiana Department of Health’s portal as mandated by the state of Louisiana. Mr. Johnson stated that the district needs to be transparent when cases are confirmed, and parents and staff should be notified.
President Cooper noted that, as president, she did not appoint a sub-committee and it is not in the purview of a Board member to do so. It is imperative that board policies and procedures are always followed. She stated that it has been mentioned several times by board member Willson that she did not follow through on the Ad Hoc committee he assigned her to. She stated that it is not the duty and responsibility of Board members to perform these types of task. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to provide educational strategies, which includes motivating and encouraging parental involvement. At the time of the Ad Hoc appointment she was a new board member and over time has learned her role. At the beginning of her tenure she asked former president Bill Willson to schedule a Board retreat because almost half of the Board was new; yet, it was never held. As a senior board member, she asked him why he never increased parental involvement. Following her comments, she reported on her attendance at three GEAR UP events. She noted that the program is very helpful and stressed the importance of student participation.
Agenda Item 6– Future Meetings
Board Work Session – October 17, 2020; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Board Meetings – November 10, 2020 and December 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 7 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 pm.
Bottom of Form
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/Betty Ward-Cooper/ /Brent Vidrine/
Betty Ward-Cooper, Board President Brent Vidrine, Ed., 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.
