UPDATE: MCSB continues internal battle
The Monroe City School Board adjourned a contentious meeting around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday after a two-hour executive session. The board took no action on items discussed in the session and adjourned the meeting without allowing public comment.
Nici Hanks, a Monroe resident who petitioned the court for the ability to be in the consent decree, said she'd paid her taxes and wanted to speak.
Board Vice President Brenda Shelling on her way out of the room said this was the "stupidest" board meeting she'd ever attended.
"If it was stupid, it's because you made it stupid," Hanks said.
A security guard pulled Shelling away from Hanks and a second guard escorted Hanks from the room. Shelling turned and shouted at board member Bill Willson, saying he was smirking.
"That's what you've done, you racist pig," she yelled at him, pointing to emphasize her words.
Board President Rodney McFarland encouraged everyone to go home.
After the meeting, Shelling said on a Facebook post of a live video of the event that Hanks had called her an epithet.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hanks denied that allegation.
Want to see the video? Click here.
Claiming the community deserves transparency concerning a recent filing from the U.S. Department of Justice contending contempt of court, the majority of the board refused for two hours to go into executive session. Around 7:20 p.m., the majority did just that after twice rejecting motions to adjourn.
Initially, board members Vickie Dayton, Willson, Daryll Berry and Jennifer Haneline opposed going into the closed session. Dayton said she wanted an update on the consent decree and recent filing from the U.S. Department of Justice accusing the board and Superintendent Brent Vidrine of being in contempt of court regarding the decree. She and Willson also argued that Vidrine's evaluation should be carried out in public.
DOJ: MCSB should be held in contempt
After getting more information from board attorney Doug Lawrence, the majority of the board opted to go in executive session to discuss strategy and sealed documents. Shelling said she wasn't going in the executive session, then went into the session and came out earlier than the others twice.
The first time, she said she needed a break, then knocked Dayton's nameplate over on the way back into the enclave. Around 9 p.m., she came out and stayed out of the executive session, despite Vidrine and board member Brandon Johnson coming out and speaking to her.
After the meeting, Haneline said debates like the one about public comment are why she was opposed to going into executive session. Unless the board takes action on an agenda item after the session, they aren't allowed to comment on anything discussed. Haneline said the board members are trying to find common ground to do what's best for the district.
To see the video of the first two hour of the meeting, click here and here.
Carrick Inabnett, vice president of economic development for CenturyLink, sat through the four-hour meeting and had planned to speak on an executive session item pertaining to Vidrine's evaluation. He said Vidrine has exhibited strong leadership skills first as a principal, now as a superintendent that has contributed to educational excellence for the district. Inabnett said with Vidrine at the helm, the district has raised its ranking by a letter grade and brought ACT scores up to historically high numbers.
Inabnett also said CenturyLink has cause to believe that Vidrine has taken his role in fulfilling the court order very seriously and has brought about changes regarding the order to at least 95 percent compliance, despite DOJ claims.
"If Monroe City School Board cares about the long-term best interest of the school district, we implore them to renew Dr. Vidrine's contract," Inabnett said.
Applications open for Grambling president
In other action
Vidrine and curriculum director Cassie Owens updated the board on raw test data. All of the high schools have seen increases since the 2013-14 school year.Scores for third- through eighth-graders will not be available until the fall. Vidrine said the numbers discussed are preliminary but show growth for the district.
A motion to give a 4 percent raise was tabled after debate on whether changing the raise from the 3 percent on the agenda constituted a substantial change. Lawrence said it did.
During a discussion about evaluating Excellence Academy, board Vice President Brenda Shelling said Berry would have to recuse himself because his brother is employed by the school. She offered to be a liaison in the evaluation process, and Willson said she'd need recuse herself from that position because she and her daughter previously worked for the school. Shelling said that was more than two years ago and was no longer considered a conflict by the state. Willson argued about the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law and said Shelling was more familiar with that portion of state law than he is.
The majority of the board voted to have the National Association of Charter Schools conduct the evaluation. Willson opposed. Berry recused himself.
The board also authorized down pay for bus drivers making trips of 150 miles or longer.
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