Laurie Duhon

The board addressed a variety of financial and administrative items, including the acceptance of multiple donations for local schools and the authorization of a state-mandated special appropriation stipend for certified and support staff. Significant actions included approving credit cards for School Activity Funds, authorizing several construction and repair quotes for school athletic facilities, and approving change orders for bond projects. The board also discussed the potential sale of spectrum licenses and a financial risk assessment. Further business involved designing a new child nutrition warehouse, declaring surplus equipment, and approving non-faculty coaches.

The board accepted donations for athletic programs and approved an updated salary schedule, transitioning to a retention stipend model. Approval was granted for multiple employee stipends, including a one-time retention stipend and state-mandated critical shortage stipends. The board adopted a resolution to establish the 2026 regular meeting schedule, identified areas of critical staffing shortages, and approved a non-faculty coach. Additionally, the board announced an upcoming public meeting regarding a sales and use tax renewal and designated various committee assignments.

The board meeting featured the election of the 2026 President and Vice-President. Key financial actions included accepting various school donations, renewing accounting software, and authorizing fiscal year-end closing entries. New business topics involved appointing non-faculty coaches, designating District Hearing Officers, approving funding requests for early childhood education, and passing resolutions concerning a special election and the levy of a sales and use tax. The meeting also included various student and staff recognitions.

The agenda for the meeting included several key financial considerations, such as accepting donations for basketball supplies and approving updated salary schedules that relabeled the Effectiveness Stipend as the Retention Stipend based on new state evaluation systems. Further financial items involved the consideration and approval of two types of stipends: a one-time $500 Retention Stipend for eligible staff employed as of January 5, 2026, and a state-mandated, differentiated compensated stipend for teachers in critical shortage areas. Committee reports covered Finance, Insurance, Building & Grounds, Policy, Transportation, 16th Section, Ward II, Legislative Liaison, Long Range Planning, and Food Service. New business included the consideration of adopting critical shortage areas for the 2025-26 school year, adopting a resolution to establish the regular meeting schedule for 2026 (with specified exceptions for February and December), and approving a non-faculty coach appointment. An announcement was made regarding a future public meeting in February 2026 to consider renewing a sales and use tax election. Committee chair appointments for 2026 were also listed.

This document outlines the goals and objectives of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board, aiming to provide a learning environment that fosters optimum growth and development for each student. Key objectives include providing a stimulating environment for intellectual, emotional, and behavioral development, offering varied opportunities for active learning, ensuring competent and creative teachers, implementing continuous cooperative evaluation of learners, and encouraging ongoing evaluation of the total school program by all personnel.