Caddo Parish Public Schools

This document outlines the School Choice Plan for Caddo Parish Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year, developed under the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The plan details procedures for offering school choice options to parents whose children attend schools failing to meet required School Performance Score levels. Key components include providing opportunities for transferring students to higher-performing schools, with a focus on prioritizing low-income and low-performing students, ensuring transportation, identifying eligible sending and receiving schools (including magnet programs), and providing supplemental support for students who do not transfer. The plan aims to provide equitable solutions and access to high-quality education for all students.

The committee meeting focused heavily on updates regarding the new Career Center project, which involves securing a new site location. Discussion centered on the progress of negotiations for acquiring property from Louisiana Tech University (approximately 29.67 acres for $775,000 plus in-kind services, representing about 40% of the appraised value) and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce (approximately 38.71 acres for $850,000, representing about 50% of the appraised value). The in-kind services agreement with Louisiana Tech includes funding up to three years of salary and benefits for staff supporting district pathways and dual enrollment, contingent upon the facility becoming operational, alongside co-branding opportunities. The committee reviewed the location's suitability concerning workforce alignment, physical design, transportation access, and construction costs. Furthermore, funding sources were clarified, indicating that proceeds from the sale of the Queensboro facility and $65 million set aside from surpluses will cover land acquisition and construction costs without requiring additional taxpayer funds.

The meeting commenced with roll call following the invocation and pledge. Key discussions during the visitor section included concerns regarding public access to detailed meeting minutes, specifically noting that the latest posted minutes were from September 2, 2025, while the current meeting approved October 21, 2025, minutes. Visitors also raised points about the level of detail in the minutes, the need for face-to-face assemblies for parents, and concerns over perceived anti-democratic practices, including the scheduling of meetings that exclude working people. The board addressed parliamentary inquiries regarding public comment time limits for general visitors versus representatives of school-based organizations. An additional, out-of-cycle agenda item was proposed and debated: a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Officer Mark Brock, a law enforcement officer and assistant football coach.

The meeting commenced with a roll call. Key discussion points included the consideration and approval of minutes from prior meetings in November 2025. A significant portion of the meeting involved public comment from a concerned resident regarding changes to their primary healthcare coverage plan and its impact on supplemental coverage. The board addressed the proposed naming of the softball field at C E Bird High School after Jerry Badgley, which required a public hearing process. The agenda review covered personnel actions, purchasing bids, approval of the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic calendars, inter-agency agreements with the Shreveport Police Department and Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department, a lease agreement extension, a property purchase and sale agreement, and the superintendent goals for the 2025-2026 school year. A motion was made and passed to amend agenda item 10.02 regarding a civil action citation correction for the US District Court, Western District of Louisiana, requiring a unanimous vote to be added to the agenda for later discussion.

The meeting commenced with the introduction and recognition of the December Cattle Parish Student Leader of the Month, Shakirian Wilson from District 12. Following this, a musical performance was presented by the Cat Middle Magnets Advanced Choir, which performed three Christmas songs. The committee also recognized numerous outstanding middle school musicians who achieved All-State honors in band, orchestra, and choir for the LMEA Professional Development Conference, along with acknowledging the dedication of their music educators and supporting personnel.