Judge OKs Monroe schools consent decree

On Friday, federal Judge Robert G. James approved the proposed consent decree that the Monroe City School board approved Dec. 7. at a special meeting.

The board will hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The agenda lists four items pertaining to the consent decree, including:

• Appoint an independent court monitor to independently monitor the school district and ensure desegregation compliance.
• Employ other experts or qualified people to assist with desegregation compliance "including the evaluation of the medical magnet program, any necessary redevelopment of the medical magnet program, operation of the medical magnet program and monitoring of the medical magnet program for desegregation compliance."
• Authorize Board President Rodney McFarland to "issue a letter on behalf of the Monroe City School District, requesting the services and assistance of the Intercultural Development Research Association — South Central Collaborative for Equity, covering those matters to be addressed by the IDRA according to the consent decree."
• "Consider for introduction and first read policy drafts that ensure desegregation compliance, except that, to satisfy the requirements of the federal consent decree, the board shall immediately adopt such policies that require immediate adoption, which include policies required enable the appointment of an Independent court monitor by the court ordered deadline."

Superintendent Brent Vidrine said the motions tied to appointing and independent auditor and finding other experts will allow the board to list the jobs and begin searching for the right candidates. He also said the board has worked with the IDRA in the past.

The board will see design plans for the renovation of Barkdull Faulk Elementary School and the new Martin Luther King Junior High School. They also will vote on the construction project manager contract for Paul Crain and name an architect for the Carroll High School Barbara T. Bonner Music Arts Center. Board members will consider naming the Carroll Junior High School Gymnasium for Jessie L. Handy, former school board member for District 4.

The board will again look at a proposed rate increase for bus drivers taking students on field trips. The issues was tabled at the Nov. 19 meeting because of questions about the final negotiation.

The board also will consider adopting the 2015-16 Personnel Evaluation Plan.