Concerns rise about Monroe City School programs and budgeting

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A Monroe City School Board member is questioning accountability and transparency in district programs and budgeting.

Monroe City School Board District 2 Representative, Jennifer Haneline says the district’s accelerated reading program ended abruptly without notice to schools or the public.

Haneline says she has received more than 70 complaints from staff and parents in the community, but when she brought those concerns to Superintendent Sam Moore and Board President Betty Ward Cooper, she was met with pushback instead of answers.

She says, “In our meetings, talking about the importance of reading, she has stressed that and so when they’re asking questions and they’re met with defensiveness, and then I ask the questions and I’m met with defensiveness instead of just answers, that’s a culture that we don’t need to have in Monroe City Schools.”

Haneline also raised questions about district budget priorities. She pointed to $150,000 a year budgeted for three years for band-related expenses at the central office before the current superintendent’s term.

Haneline argues that funding never reached local schools, where students are left with old instruments, outdated uniforms and limited resources for transportation to games and competitions.

She mentioned how some complaints regarding the School Board’s allocation of funds came after discussions of a charter school.

Haneline said,“When that happened, there were accusations made that money was not following the students to the schools they were going to. And I wanted to really pour through the budget this year to see two years. When I went back three years, $0 of that were spent.”

Board President Betty Ward Cooper pushed back on the criticism, saying the district follows proper protocol for handling complaints and that she never received a request for a formal meeting from Haneline.

Cooper said a budget meeting was held, and Superintendent Moore sent an email notifying school officials about the accelerated reading program.

She says, “And that’s by law that we have a public hearing. That budget was also posted online for review in an adequate number of days prior. Jennifer Haneline is the chair of the curriculum committee. She has had every opportunity to call a curriculum committee meeting.”

Monroe City School Board held a public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. to address audit findings.