Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:00p.m. by Board President Brandon Johnson. Mr. Cliff Thomas, President of the NAACP offered prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Betty Ward Cooper, Bill Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Brandon Johnson and Brenda Shelling
Absent: Jennifer Haneline
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Cooper the board approved the agenda as printed. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 2A-D Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved the Board of Education Minutes for January 22, 2026, LDOE(Louisiana Department of Education) Corrective Action Plan 2023-2024, adoption of Policy EFAB regulating use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies and adoption of recommended School Board policy amendments BCBB (Notification of School board Meetings), DFK(Sale of Surplus equipment and Supplies), DJE(Purchasing), EBBC(Emergency/Crisis Management), GBC,(Recruitment) GBN(Dismissal of Employees), GBRA,(Employee Conduct) and JGCF(Behavioral Health Support for Students) in satisfaction of State law. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 3A – Authorization to purchase property adjacent to School Board central office complex on Tower Drive (Lots 11 through 15 and the west 25 feet of Lot 16, Block 4 in the Tower View subdivision; Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana) and undertake additional due diligence assurance steps in connection therewith.
On a motion by Mr. Willson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved this item (previously tabled) to be removed from table and vote on.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry, the board approved the Authorization to purchase property adjacent to School Board central office complex on Tower Drive (Lots 11 through 15 and the west 25 feet of Lot 16, Block 4 in the Tower View subdivision; Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana) and undertake additional due diligence assurance steps in connection therewith. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 4A – Consideration and approval of instructional contract package presented to the Board Curriculum Committee on February 9, 2026.
On a motion by Mrs. Cooper and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved the instructional contract package presented to the Board Curriculum Committee on February 9, 2026. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A and B – Report of Superintendent and December 2025 Financial Reports
- Interest on investments: $30,355
- MFP: $4,381,128
- Ad valorem tax: $1,394,588
Sales tax increases:
- 1968 sales tax: $258,000 3.99% higher than previous year
- 1994 sales tax: $440,000 4.5% higher than previous year
- 2001 sales tax: $881,000 4.5% higher than previous year
Academic Highlights:
The district maintains quarterly data reviews and school improvement sessions. During these meetings, school leadership teams collaborate with district staff to analyze data, monitor progress toward established goals, and develop strategies to recover instructional time lost because of Winter Storm. The district will announce the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment
Round Up, scheduled for March 16 to 20. The team is working to ensure that families receive timely access to enrollment opportunities at all campuses. Additionally, Bailey’s Education Group conducted LEAP Boot Camps in English Language Arts and Mathematics for students with disabilities in CIR schools to deliver targeted instructional support. Originally February 17, 2026, was a professional development day and has been changed to a full school day to recover the lost time due to the ice storm.
Child Nutrition Services
All cafeterias are fully operational post Winter Storm. Barkdull Faulk is recognized as the “Gold Standard” for this month.
Custodial/Warehouse - Debris has been cleared and moved from grounds for Public Works to pick up.
- Building Supervisors will be trained to assist in the process of converting HVAC units
- Carver will be recognized as the “Gold Standard” for this month.
HVAC
- Researching the cost of backup generators to prevent loss of power during storms. The backup generators will allow us to maintain perishable items and prevent freezing pipes.
- Monthly Preventative Maintenance Service contract is up for renewal. Mr. Hunt, HVAC Supervisor, recommends that we remain with the current provider.
Maintenance - developing a District Winter Weather Event Response Plan. With the help of Dr Watson and his staff. Mr. Moore commended the custodial staff for checking on schools during the ice storm.
Transportation - Our new field trip software is in place and is being fully utilized by our schools
- Researching GPS software and notification systems to keep schools and other stakeholders of the location of all buses throughout the district.
- We have conducted interviews for our transportation supervisor and will be decision soon.
- Superintendent Moore thanked the academic team, custodial staff, transportation staff, teachers and all who worked to bring the students back to school as soon as possible
Other notes:
Superintendent Moore extended condolences for Berg Jones Elementary School Principal Lashondra Allen who Lost her father and Barkdull Faulk Elementary who lost a staff member.
Agenda Item 5C – Report of the Board Members
Bill Willson – recognized JS Clark Elementary honor roll sponsorship with Century Bank. He congratulated President Brandon Johnson on recognition of his daughter at JS Clark vs Cypress Point basketball game for eight grade night. Mr. Willson gave a shout out to the employees and the system for going above and beyond in this trying time during the storm.
Michael Sampognaro – thanked Superintendent Moore and his staff for all they do for the safety of the students and staff. The Bengal Belles will attend the next board meeting on March 17th for recognition.
Brandon Johnson – board committees have been established, and the board has a busy year ahead with many plans to be accomplished. It’s important to remain focused on the main goals and not become distracted, He thanked the staff for their continued hard work and dedication, Mr. Johnson thanked Superintendent Moore for his leadership and for doing what was needed throughout this process.
Agenda Item 6A Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings March 17, 2026, April 14, 2026, and May 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Item 7 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Sampognaro the meeting adjourn at 6:51 p.m.Bottom of Form
/Brandon Johnson/ _ /Sam L. Moore, III/_
Brandon Johnson Sam L. 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.robinsons@mcschools.net.
