Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:01p.m. by Board President Betty Ward Cooper. Pastor John Russell II, pastor Greater New Antioch BC, 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 Board Member Daryll Berry and seconded by Board Member Bill Willson the board approve the agenda excluding agenda item 2G – Updated Contracts for Principals/ Supervisory Positions and Non-Tenured Teachers. The motion carried on unanimously.
Agenda Item 2- Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mr. Johnson the board approved Board of Education Minutes of May 6, 2025, Awarding Bid #SFS26-02 Produce/Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Products, Awarding of Bid #SFS26-01 Milk and Juice Products, Computerized Maintenance System for Work Orders and Preventative Maintenance Work Orders, Approval of Lease/Purchase Agreement for Nutland Road School Property (OIC), Superintendent’s Evaluation (2024-2025), Differentiated Compensation and Sick Leave Bank Forms. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 3 – Consent Items for Separated Consideration- Carroll High School Choir Building – adding full names to Bonner/Pine
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mr. Willson the board approved to table this item regarding the Carroll High School choir building to gather more information.
In Favor: Mr. Berry, Mr. Willson, Brenda Shelling and Mrs. Cooper
Opposed: Brandon Johnson and Michael Sampognaro
Agenda Item 4A – Naming of 2025-2026 Official Journal for the Monroe City School Board
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Cooper, the board approved Monroe Free Press as the official journal for 2025-2026. The motion carried on a majority vote.
In favor: Daryll Berry, Brenda Shelling, Betty Ward-Cooper, Brandon Johnson, and Michael Sampognaro
Opposed: Bill Willson
Agenda Item 4B – Consider change to the 2025 Summer Calendar – Superintendent Moore
Superintendent Moore requested a change to allow 12-month employees to be off on July 3, 2025, since July 4 is already an off day due to the four-day work schedule in June and July.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the board approved 12-month employees to be off on July 3 in observance of Independence Day. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A – April 2025 Financial Reports
* General fund revenue increased by approximately $1.7 million over April 2024.
* The Neville High School batting cage cost $159,980, with a $52,500 reimbursement received from the Louisiana Department of Treasury in April. The district is still awaiting a $54,000 payment from the Neville High School softball booster club.
Sales tax revenues:
* 1968 sales tax up $2,000 (0.03%)
* 1994 sales tax down $122,000 (26%)
* 2001 sales tax down $245,000 (1.26%)
* Security camera upgrades for all schools cost $2.5 million
* track repairs at high schools cost $656,000
* The expenditure for security cameras was coded in object code 400 instead of 300 and will be corrected in the year-end budget revision.
* Supplemental sales tax check distribution is pending receipt of April 2025 collections, which are expected in June
* The board discussed the timing and possible reduction of the 13th check for employees, pending receipt of April 2025 sales tax collections. The superintendent stated that the reduction is estimated to be no more than 3-4%, but no speculation will be made until collections are received. Employees and the board will be notified as soon as facts are available.
Agenda Item 5B Report of Superintendent
Academic updates
* The application process has started to bring Army ROTC to Neville High School. The program could add 500+ opportunities for students. The superintendent and staff met with Army ROTC representatives and Neville High School staff to begin this process.
* Summer learning programs are active at several elementary campuses Sallie Humble, Carver, and Cypress Point University Elementary school, focusing on crucial skills development and third grade retention.
* Secondary campuses focus on LEAP remediation and credit recovery. LEAP retest is scheduled for June 23-26, 2025
* The 21st Century summer camp is offered at three campuses: Shelling, Carver, and Cypress Point
* An Aviation Center event featured the author and first African American to fly solo around the world, providing a unique experience for students.
* Superintendent Moore thanked the initiative team, teachers, community, board, and staff for their hard work during the school year. He noted growth and accomplishments.
* The Teacher Leader Conference will be held June 10-12, 2025, in New Orleans.
* State Superintendent Conference will be June 16-18, 2025, in Lake Charles. The district staff including the Human Resource Director, Chief Academic Officer, Accountability Specialist in Testing, and Federal Program Director will attend this conference.
Operations Department updates
* Child Nutrition will continue to serve breakfast and lunch at ACE Academy.
* Bids were awarded fresh food, produce, milk, and juice products.
* The RFP for cafeteria projects at Carroll, Neville, and Wossman High Schools is being refined, with future projects planned for Carroll Junior High and Neville Junior High.
* A feasibility study is underway to move the custodian warehouse from a 9-month to 10-month operation, aiming to better prepare buildings before summer vacation. A proposed yearly preventative maintenance plan will be emailed to the board soon.
* A needs assessment for facilities is expected to be completed by next month to inform priority projects before the budget hearing.
* Title IX building reports for all high schools will be available at the next facilities committee meeting.
* Safety needs assessments have been completed at all secondary schools, with a preliminary report to be submitted to the board after J.S. Clark is finished.
* A GO-SEP grant application is in progress, potentially providing up to $50,000 per campus for safety equipment that will offset the cost to the district.
Transportation
A double payment issue for drivers was identified and rectified. All affected personnel were notified and compensated for proper pay. The superintendent apologized for any inconvenience and clarified that the action was to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds, not an attack on drivers. Notifications were developed with the attorney, and any further issues will be addressed. The Issue was resolved and drivers compensated.
Retirements
Superintendent Moore recognized multiple staff retirements, including Laura Blumer (34 years), Mickey McCarty (30 years), Sophie Morstead (2 years), Vanessa Powell (14 years), Katherine Waters (17 years), Charlie Ford (26.5 years), Rosie Gardner (39 years), Connie Johnson (24 years), Dennis Martin (10 years), Ruby Martin (42 years), Eddie Staten (25 years), Sharon Staten (15 years), and Andrew Valerie (13 years).
Mr. Moore shared information on his district staff, including about 13 members, and met with Community Prayer Partners, a coalition of ministers and pastors from Monroe and West Monroe, to foster partnerships and collaboration for school and city improvement.
Ms. Toni McCarty, principal at Lexington Elementary, was appointed as elementary supervisor. Ms. Cheryl Rogers, after serving as interim, was confirmed as full-time principal at Carver Elementary. Additional principal’s interviews are ongoing.
Agenda Item 5C – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Shelling- due to bad weather Mrs. Shelling asked for prayers for the King Oaks Subdivision.
Mr. Johnson reported on a productive facilities meeting. Mr. Johnson clarified that Monroe City Schools fulfilled its financial obligations for the band room, spending an excess of $5 million. The rumors of only $1 million spent are false and public records are available for verification. Issues with the building are being addressed with the architect and contractors, with a punch list and timeline requested to complete work before the cutoff date to avoid additional costs. The district leadership team is actively working to resolve outstanding issues.
Superintendent Moore further clarified that the claim of being allocated $5 million and only spending $1 million was a total fabrication, reinforcing the need for accurate information. Mr. Johnson thanked the District Leadership Team in support of Superintendent Moore for making the Monroe City Schools a better place.
Mr. Sampognaro echoed what Mr. Johnson stated.
Mr. Willson noted that he and Superintendent Moore had a good follow-up meeting pertaining to the district’s insurance. Insurance bid competition may result in approximately $250,000 in savings for the coming year. The final number is not yet available and will be reported next month. The board believes competition is beneficial for cost savings. Mr. Willson expressed concern over recent violence affecting students, including a recent shooting involving a 14-year-old student, and urged vigilance and prayers for student safety during the summer, especially at night and in the community. Prayers to the family.
Agenda Item 6A – Future Meetings
Board Meetings – July 15, 2025; August 5, 2025; September 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Action Item 7A – Executive Session
The Board will convene in executive session regarding an investigative review of suspected misconduct involving school and programming funding and contracting. (Any necessary action will be taken when the Board reconvenes in open session.)
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved to enter executive session for 10 minutes or less.
The board convened in executive session at 6:30 pm
The board reconvened at 6:56 pm
On a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Shelling the board approved to accept the recommendation by legal counsel.
Yea: Mr. Sampognaro, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Shelling, Mr. Berry and Mrs. Cooper
Nay: Mr. Willson
Agenda Item 8 Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Willson, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.Bottom of Form
/Betty Ward Cooper/ /Sam L. Moore, III/___
Betty Ward Cooper 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.
