MCSB contempt hearing is Sept. 19

A hearing on a Department of Justice request that the Monroe City School Board and Superintendent Brent Vidrine be held in contempt will be 9 a.m. Sept. 19.

According to court documents, the DOJ has raised allegations of contempt against Vidrine under the All Writs Act.

The court previously informed Vidrine that counsel for the school board could represent him as well, as long as their positions were not in conflict. However, to the extent that he and the board hold conflicting positions he will either have to retain his own counsel or represent himself.

"It now appears to the Court that Dr. Vidrine may well have a conflict," a minute entry reads. " Accordingly, he is instructed to have counsel present or be prepared to represent himself at the hearing."

La. schools make Princeton Review's 'Best 381 Colleges'

A phone conference was held Thursday to discuss the upcoming reconvened hearing on the DOJ’s contempt motion.

According to the minutes of the proceeding, MCSB provided additional information to the DOJ about the assignment of principals and long-term substitutes. The DOJ, however, is awaiting information on the credentialing of long-term substitutes, the medical magnet program, and the loss of personnel through retirement, resignation or otherwise and the subsequent hiring or reassignment of teachers to fill these positions.

Grambling placed on 'fiscal watch' by Board of Regents

MCSB attorney Doug Lawrence said personnel are working to prepare this information and agreed that MCSB would continue to provide information as quickly as possible, even if the information is a partial response to the DOJ’s request.

U.S. District Judge Robbie James moved the hearing from Tuesday to Sept. 19 to give the board more time to provide the information and the DOJ to review it.

Follow Bonnie Bolden on Twitter @Bonnie_Bolden_ and on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1RtsEEP.