School board contempt hearing is Oct. 12
A hearing to determine whether the Monroe City School Board and Superintendent Brent Vidrine should be held in contempt of court is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 12. The U.S. Department of Justice requested the hearing over the summer regarding compliance with the ongoing consent decree.
On Monday, Vidrine enrolled his own counsel, Monroe attorney Scott Wolleson, who took part in lengthy discussions regarding the contempt motion Monday morning. Wolleson is representing West Monroe police officer Jody Ledoux in a homicide trial in 4th Judicial District Court this week.
U.S. District Judge Robbie James said in light of Wolleson's enrollment, the seriousness of the allegations his court must address, the hearing should be continued. If Vidrine or the board are found to be in contempt, James said he will determine the appropriate sanctions. The board and administration are to continue working with the Department of Justice to resolve the complaints until the hearing.
Vidrine said he is under the impression that the Department of Justice is content with class offerings, the structure of school web pages and the medical magnet program at Carroll High School. He said those areas are not declared unitary until James approves them.
To be in compliance with staffing requirements, Vidrine said some teachers were moved last week, and he's confident the district is close to full compliance. The goal, he said, is to achieve full unitary status.
Follow Bonnie Bolden on Twitter @Bonnie_Bolden_ and on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1RtsEEP.
Recent Monroe City Schools stories:
MCSB: Dayton to serve as interim VP
Let it grow: Three schools get gardens