BOARD BRIEFS: September 8 Meeting

The Ouachita Parish School Board approved a one-time salary stipend for all employees during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

The School Board agreed to distribute $6 million in local funds to employees, with $2,000 going to certified employees and $1,000 to support staff. Similar stipends were funded by the state over the past three years.

In June, Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order that redirected $168 million in MFP operational dollars to provide another stipend for certain employees. Ouachita Parish Schools leadership identified the funds to provide all the district’s employees with the stipend.

Employees will receive the stipends over two payments scheduled for October 9, 2026 and March 12, 2027.

Operating Budget & Salary Schedules

The School Board approved the 2026-2027 operating budget for Ouachita Parish Schools. The operating budget is a balanced budget with a $21.8 million general-fund balance. The budget will be posted online once it is signed by all Board Members.

The Board also approved the district’s salary schedules for the 2026-2027 school year.

Policy Updates

The School Board approved updates to the following policies: EBBC (Emergency Operations Plans), GBRIA (Personal Leave), IDDF (Education of Students with Exceptionalities), IDDFC (Cameras in Special Education Classrooms), JD (Discipline), JDD (Suspension), JDE (Expulsion), JGCE (Child Abuse), and JGCFA (Behavioral Health Service for Students).

 The updated policies and the policy manual are available at opsb.net.

Property Purchases

The School Board agreed to purchase the property at 104 Riggs Street adjacent to West Monroe High. The properties must be purchased at or below their appraised value.

Change Order

The School Board approved a change order for the classroom and athletic facility renovations at Sterlington High. The $98,749.50 change order will be paid from Eastside Bond funds and will cover costs to enhance drainage at the baseball and softball facilities and build a bridge over the drainage ditch at the baseball field.  

Investment Agreement Amended

The School Board agreed to amend its investment agreement with the Louisiana State Treasury. The agreement allows the district to access its Education Excellence Fund (EEF), a constitutionally protected state fund created to support educational enrichment, technology and curriculum.

Executive Session

The School Board entered executive session with legal counsel Tommy Hayes IV of Hammond, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins to discuss prospective litigation, the outcome of pre-suit mediation and a settlement claim.

The Board agreed to accept the proposed settlement claim.

Bid Item                                                                      Funding Source                      Budget Amount
Sterlington High/Middle WS Fern Damage               Insurance                                   $800,000
Claiborne Elem., GHMS, WRMS, WS Fern Damage Insurance/FEMA                       $1,200,000
CMS, Calhoun ES, Central ES, EOMS, WOHS WS Fern Damage           Insurance                                   $730,000
WOHS Berm Improvements                                         WOST                                         $900,000
Copy Paper Bid                                                               Various                                       Various
George Welch Roof Replacement                               M&O                                           $500,000

The School Board granted permission to bid on the following items:

Bid Item                                                                      Funding Source                     Budget Amount
Burks School Property                                                   N/A                                            $67,600