Sampognaro, Shelling sworn in as new Monroe City School Board members
Michael Sampognaro and Brenda Shelling were sworn in Tuesday as newly elected members of the Monroe City School Board, joining incumbent board members at an oath of office ceremony at the start of Tuesday night's meeting.
Fourth Judicial District Judge Fred Jones conducted the ceremony.
Shelling defeated incumbent District 7 board member Sharon Neal Greer as District 7 in the November 8, 2022 elections. Shelling previously held the seat from 1998-2002, 2002-2006, 2006-2010 and 2014-2018.
"It's just an honor for me to be here tonight, and when I say that it's an honor, I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart," Shelling said. "I lost by two votes the last time and I had just lost my husband. Several of my constituents asked me to challenge it and I didn't want to. Since that I've grown, I've learned to handle myself a little differently and I pray that God will direct me on where to go and how to get there."
Sampognaro replaced Rick Saulsberry as District 1 seat holder. Saulsberry withdrew his bid for reelection in July 2022, citing a "failure to turn in disclosure forms in a timely manner."
"It's my first term, of course. I look forward to working with each and everyone of you for all of our schools, not just because I'm in District 1," Sampognaro said. "I'm a member of the school board for all of the schools. I know we're going to have votes that don't go with each other's way but we can work through all of that in the end, and I look forward to visiting all of the schools and getting to know each and everyone of the faculty and staff there, and look forward to a good year."
Returning members include Jennifer Haneline, William "Bill" Wilson, Daryll Berry, Betty Ward-Cooper and Brandon "B.J." Johnson. Wilson and Berry were named president and vice-president of the board, respectively.
Other topics of interest from Tuesday's meeting:
The board approved a stipend program for Monroe City elementary afterschool programs.
The board approved COVID-19 supplemental pay for full-time employees who work in person during the 2022-23 school year in accordance to the determined eligibility date. Each employee will receive a total of $2,000 for the 2022-2023 school year, to be distributed in January 2023 ($1,000) and May 2023 ($1,000). The dates for eligibility determination and distribution are to be determined at a later date.
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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Sampognaro, Shelling sworn in as new Monroe City School Board members
