Sharon Phenice Ardoin

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.

The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board held a regular session where they accepted the financial audit report from Gragson, Casiday & Guillory, CPA, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. They approved the purchase of textbooks for Sowela Technical Community College students, accepted donations for Welsh High baseball, and approved the purchase and installation of the LearnZillion platform for ELA curriculum upgrades. Additionally, they approved the replacement of the engine in the 2012 Maintenance Van, accepted a Quality Science and Math Grant for Welsh High School, and accepted a donation for Elton High FFA. The board also addressed policy revisions, including those related to supplemental educational services, English learner programs, parent and family engagement, parental rights/student rights of privacy, and student privacy and educational records. A resolution was adopted regarding the establishment of the regular meeting schedule for the year 2018. Permission was granted for the superintendent to enter into a study regarding concussion education and to approve Mark Hanks as a non-faculty softball coach at Welsh High School. Several out-of-state travel requests were approved, and the board approved the submission of 2018-2019 federal and state flow-through projects and the 2017-2018 Pupil Progression Plan.

This document outlines the philosophy and mission of the Jefferson Davis Parish School System. The philosophy emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual, the importance of learning through involvement, and the critical role of content, process, and learner-teacher interaction. It details the school system's responsibilities to provide a stimulating environment, diverse learning opportunities, competent teachers, and continuous evaluation. The mission is to provide all students with educational opportunities, in collaboration with the community, to ensure their success in a technological, multicultural, and global society.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on various financial matters, such as accepting donations for schools and special services, paying Louisiana School Boards Association annual dues, and awarding a bid for the Welsh-Roanoke Bond Phase I project. Permission was granted for the purchase of Pro-Certification and Practice Test license bundles, payment for dual enrollment students' tuition, and acceptance of donations for the Prime Time Family Reading program. Additionally, the board discussed and approved repairs for the roof at WES, the purchase of Electric Relay Control Learning Systems, and playground equipment for WES. The board adopted a revised policy on expense reimbursement and discussed the Sales Tax report. The board also granted permission to extend the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2025-2026 school year, and approved a resolution ordering a special election to authorize a sales and use tax levy. Finally, the board declared certain items as surplus, identified critical shortage areas, approved the 2025-2026 Pupil Progression Plan, approved non-faculty coaches for LAHS, and declared buses as surplus for auction.