MCSB OKs new consent decree dates

The Monroe City School Board approved new dates for the consent decree at a special meeting Wednesday morning.

Board President Rodney McFarland said representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice recommended new dates for the board to meet with the consent decree. McFarland said the deadlines only change when certain elements of the decree must be met but not when the district will be out from under the decree or what standards the district must meet.

Four board members discussed the consent decree with Educational Planning Group, the independent court monitor hired by the board; representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice; and workers with the Intercultural Development Research Association — South Central Collaborative for Equity. Board Vice President Brenda Shelling and members Daryll Berry and Jennifer Haneline were not at the special session.

The board also heard updates on two other cases while in executive session  but made no motions on those matters in open session.

Consent decree suit

A hearing on an appeal for the Neville Alumni and Friends Association, Greg Jones, and Nici Hanks to be involved in the consent decree is set for 10 a.m. April 4.

In late January, NAFA, Jones and Hanks appealed to the court for permission to intervene in the Monroe City School Board's desegregation case. A memorandum to the appeal included statements from three Monroe City School Board members — Bill Willson, Vickie Dayton and Haneline.

That appeal was approved on Feb. 2 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes but rescinded on Feb. 3. U.S. District Judge Robbie James was named the only judge to hear the matter.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Monroe City School Board filed separate memorandums of opposition to the request. The court determined that information provided by board attorney Doug Lawrence to refute the board member's claims was protected  by attorney-client privilege was sealed in the court record.

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