Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in special session, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 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 Bill Willson. Prayer was offered by Mr. Bill Willson and Pledge was led by Board Member Ms. Jenniefer Haneline.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
Mr. Willson noted there are name changes that need to be made to the board site in reference to new elected board members in District I (Michael Sampognaro) and District VII (Brenda Shelling). Mrs. Haneline made a motion to add to the agenda the correction of the listed board members pertaining to elected officials in District I (Michael Sampognaro and District VII Brenda Shelling).
On a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the board approved the agenda with addition as noted. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Agenda Item 2A – Executive Session – The Board will convene in Executive Session to receive information concerning ongoing investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct within the School District. [See La. R.S. 42:17(A)(4)].
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Ms. Haneline the board approved to convene in executive session at 6:04pm for approximately 45 minutes.
Open Session Item 3A – The Board will consider for approval additional actions necessary to further aid in investigating allegations of misconduct within the School District.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline the board reconvened in open session at 6:53pm. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling for Superintendent Brent A. Vidrine to be placed on paid administrative leave immediately, pursuant to La. R.S. 17:54 (D). (Resolution read by Vice President Mr. Daryll Berry).
Public comment: Mrs. Krutzer inquired about Superintendent Vidrine’s contracts 2017-2022 and through a public request she was provided checks written to Superintendent Vidrine totaling $325,017.83. the requested for supportive documentation for the funds was not provided. Mrs. Kruzter stated these are public funds and the public has unconditional right to know how these funds were spent and who directed the checks to be written.
Public Comment: Kathy Patrick noted she had written a letter to Mr. Sampognaro and Mr. Willson. She apologized for not including her representative Ms. Haneline. Mrs. Patrick stated she is a realtor but has been in CPA and when someone is under investigation the protocol should be that person should have the opportunity to be removed from that situation with pay. Therefore, if they clear their name, it will be cleared completely and if not, they will no longer have that influence during that time. She would like to see this put in the right hands for investigation while this is going on the focus will be on the students.
The motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the board approved to add to the agenda to convene in executive session and not to exceed 10 minutes. (7:05pm) The motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board reconvene in open session at 7:16pm. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Mrs. Cooper and seconded by Mrs. Shelling that an item be added to the agenda to authorize the naming of an interim superintendent for the Monroe City School District.
Public comment: Mrs. Lollie voiced her concerns about input or knowledge from the employees that work in the district. She suggests before the decision is made that there be some intellectual input.
In favor: Mr. Sampognaro
Mr. Berry
Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper
Mr. Brandon Johnson
Mrs. Shelling
Mr. Willson
Opposed: Ms. Haneline
Agenda Item 4 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline, the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
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.
