Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:02p.m. by President Jennifer Haneline.. Prayer was offered by Board Member Brenda Shelling. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Ms. Jennifer Haneline.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Mrs. Haneline, Mr. Bill Willson, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Absent: Mr. Daryll Berry
Board Vice President Mr. Brandon Johnson arrived at 6:04
Action Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the board approved to adopt the agenda as printed. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment: Vickie Krutzer inquired about no attachments to the new business agenda items and requested attachments in the future.
Action Item 2 A-G – Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and Seconded by Mrs. Cooper to approve Board of Education Minutes for August 13, 2024; Carroll High School Medical Magnet Program – Clinical Experiences Affiliation Agreement; Approval of Louisiana Delta Community College Teacher Apprenticeship Agreement; Approval of Volleyball insert at Neville Junior High School Gym; Approval/ratification of MCAL Cooperative Endeavor Agreement; Approval/ratification of ACE Charter School Food Services Agreement; and Approval/ratification of ACE Transportation Agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
A moment of silence was held in remembrance of Mrs. Maddie Cannon, President of ACE Academy and her family.
Action Item 3A – Approval of Bids for Martin Luther King Jr High School Outdoor Learning Pavilion
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the board approved bids for Martin Luther King Jr School Outdoor Learning Pavilion. The motion carried unanimously.
Action Item 4A – Adoption of the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds Budget Resolution – Revised Budgets for 2023-2024 and Beginning Budgets for 2024-2025
Board Vice President Mr. Brandon Johnson left the meeting at 6:34pm
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling to adopt the general fund and special revenue funds budget resolution-revised budgets for 2023-2024 and beginning budgets for 2024-2025.
Board Member Mr. Willson inquired about the general fund and what is being done to reduce the deficit spending. Superintendent Moore stated its about not knowing the completion time for Sallie Humble gymnasium project which was ESSER funding and not certain of the deficit considering that as well as Neville High School batting cage project and not certain of a timeline.
Ms. Haneline voiced her concerns about the budget. She stated proper coding is needed on the budget to understand what is being looked at. Some budget items have the word “other” Ms. Haneline asked for clarification. She inquired about monies not being spent. Mr. Sampognaro inquired about the maintenance budget. Superintendent Moore stated Mrs. Howard, Mr. Monroe, and Dr. Watson meet on this budget. Ms. Haneline asked for materials and supplies to be defined in the budget. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment: Mrs. Krutzer complimented the board, Mr. Johnson, and Superintendent Moore, for allowing the public to aske question and stated she love the budget book. Mrs. Krutzer appreciates the budget being posted on the website. Mrs. Krutzer inquired about the extracurricular activities extra pay. She stated this district is very blessed. It has 8,100 students. 113 million in general funds sales tax all inclusive and another 28 million from stated and federal with more to come. She stated a lot of the funds not spent. Mrs. Krutzer challenge the board to focus on academics.
Agenda Item 4B- Yearly timeline of all contract renewals and other important deadlines the Board needs to take action on.
Superintendent Moore stated there are numerous yearly contracts. The main yearly contract is the engagement letter for the annual audit that comes to the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Howard. Mr. Kelley in the purchasing department has a book of annual contracts that they are currently working on to streamline. Ms. Haneline asked when the board can have that documented to have adequate time to consider the contract renewals that come before the board. Superintendent Moore stated the next board meeting.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved the yearly timeline of all contract renewals and other important deadlines the Board needs to take action on. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 4C – Update on Carroll Band Room and summary of meeting with Land 3/Bill Land
Superintendent Moore noted Dr. Watson, Attorney Lawrence, Principal Patrick Taylor, Mr. Bill Land (land 3), Mr. Cedric Hemphill, Nicholas Green and Mr. Charles Monroe did a walk through in Carroll High School band room. The substantial was filed August 26, 2024, 45 days from that day to complete all items. Mr. Moore stated the building what was outlined to be don was totally different when they were there previously. They are now on track and schedule. Ms. Haneline asked the board to consider a process and/or policy for building construction approval that is more comprehensive that include key experts to where one person cannot make changes and end up not meeting the needs on money spent. Attorney Lawrence noted this needs to be on the front end. Ms. Haneline suggested considering a policy inclusive on how an architect is selected. Mrs. Shelling noted she will work on a policy for the position of employment of an architect.
Public comment: Mrs. Deborah Smith voiced her concerns. She stated she lives in this community and it’s an eye sore to look at. She stated wholeheartedly that this person should never build another building for Monroe City Schools. Mrs. Smith is concerned about the safety of the students.
Board member Mr. Sampognaro asked to receive the budget early to review. Ms. Haneline suggested two weeks earlier.
Agenda Item 4E – Report to Board regarding Financial Training for school staff regarding student funds, as stated in audit response
Superintendent Moore noted the first phase for bookkeepers training was last week and Principals were invited to attend. The schedule was sent to the board electronically. Future meetings are being scheduled for individual campuses through the business department. Mrs. Howard noted they are in the process of revising the handbook that includes everything as of where we are currently with the online and electronic platform. They are in communication with schools for individual training.
Public Comment: Mrs. Smith voiced concerns about funds that were misappropriated. Ms. Haneline asked the senior staff to look at Carroll High School donated funds.
Agenda Item 4F – Student Handbooks and Website updates
Dr. Bush, (Child Welfare and Attendance Director) noted this summer the legislative passed quite a few laws in education. The handbook is lengthy, and he wants to make sure the district is in compliance if applicable. He communicates with Jodie Moorhead, (Instructional Technology Facilitator), for website inquiries.
Agenda Item 4G – Food Services plan and timeline to bid out for cafeteria renovations
Dr. Watson noted he will send a RFP draft tomorrow morning to Ms. Haneline. Mr. Moore stated there are federal guidelines to be met and would like the final decision to come from April Temple.
Public Comment: Mrs. Krutzer suggested doing all three (3) schools at once.
Agenda Item 4H – District strategic plan
Superintendent Moore stated to best serve the Monroe City Schools students and families they are developing a district wide strategic plan with the support of Attune Education Partners and is a school system support organization that partners with districts like ours around the country. On September 16th and 17th Attune will be in our district making site visits to selected schools in ELA and Math.
Agenda Item 4I – Update on the NHS roof/leaking and plans for damage repair
Mr. Moore stated there is an active 20-year warranty effective through 9/26/2036. Claims were sent in and a site visit was conducted by the company on September 6th that was cut short due to the weather. They are scheduled to return on Friday.
Agenda Item 5A – Reports of the Superintendent
Superintendent Moore noted on September 24th at 6pm-8pm Dr Bush and Central Office staff will be on a bus tour to Berg Jones Lane for their 2nd community meeting forum. The first meeting was a success and packed house at Johnson Carver. Questions were asked and answered, they shared the district vision and direction to focus on literacy. Mr. Moore noted that it “It takes a village to raise a child” He stated they are heavy on academics. He addressed Mrs. smith about safety on every campus. Mr. Moore noted we can control what we can control. The district Leadership team, and Dr. Watson will be heading those activities to make certain to continue to do things to help our students and community. Superintendent Moore’s message is simple, he wants to unite the students and eliminate north, east, and south he stated, “We are Monroe City Schools”. Mr. Moore thanked everyone for allowing him the opportunity to serve the Monroe City Schools.
Agenda Item 5B – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Shelling – No Report
Mrs. Cooper noted Wossman High School and Martin Luther King Jr Junior ROTC invites everyone to the 9/11 remembrance event in front of the flagpole. On September 5th David Ausberry with AT&T gave away 100 laptops to some of the students. She gave a shout out to AT&T and all partners with Monroe City Schools.
Mr. Sampognaro noted the Neville track is pretty much completed. Mr. Moore stated they will give an update once all three tracks are completed.
Mr. Willson gave the invocation at the Black Chamber of Commerce on August 29th and was asked to give an overview of the Monroe City Schools in terms of Education employment. He had the opportunity to meet with district V BESE Board Lance Harris in reference to our school system.
Board President Haneline asked the Board on September 29th to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Sidney Seegers. The Superintendent will do a follow-up on the date and time. Ms. Haneline thanked Superintendent Moore, Mrs. White, Dr. Watson, Dr. Bush the Dream team and everyone for work that is being done for the community and students. Ms. Haneline recognized the Maddie Cannon family with thoughts and prayers. Mr. Moore added to remember Dr. Phedra Brantley and to keep her family in prayer. Her services will be held this Saturday at 10:00am at the New Antioch Baptist Church.
Agenda Item 6A– Future Meetings
October 1, 2024 and November 12, 2024 at 6:00pm
Action Item 7 – Recess/Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro, the meeting adjourned at 7:45p.m.
Bottom of Form
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/Jennifer Haneline/___________ _/Sam Moore/__________________
Jennifer Haneline Sam 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.robinson@mcschools.net
