[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6588671,"mediaKeyId","5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d","parentId",5560335,"title","Policy committee updates: instructional materials access, student internet policy and absence rules approved","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",2663000,"endMs",2796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d&start=2663&end=2796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588671/Louisiana/Policy-committee-updates-instructional-materials-access-student-internet-policy-and-absence-rules-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588671-2278ab30e1c099994d760320df2e41e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775653698&Signature=cQjTZnf~-xo8Pc7udj-SAMwN9cQexV8kV8Rsr5k-885zPQTV3UFbNQy6w9CZ6iGLq5DnAmc0fLe-8RPrqPWR4szx75RJo120ObobIqDOnpXx~VO2Ya-~~6wr3pULbAUyDAo3II2fwnpGNRX9Qh9DlkcF2HIJeba0odsutFPMo7su8xzys7pew6u-i-M6zTvuSb3YeVK6Bqo1aVSDLfJsZsucPf6uHFDoXiIXFObcE2RA2~DDyDY6xn8Qn84l3izmtYhfxHFgc3o4fKjNCnZwOzxgkVRpsOrxX39BLQc1n9rCJnIEJnSZkxhiKXtklg7pUxvH050wEJHsY7uJkXKGdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beauregard Parish","date","2025-08-08T15:19:24Z","article","The Beauregard Parish School Board policy committee voted to revise three existing policies to conform with recent state legislative changes and DESE guidance.

Instructional materials (Policy IFA): The committee adopted language reflecting Act 103 of the 2025 Louisiana Legislature and revisions to Louisiana Revised Statute 17:355 to clarify access to instructional materials, including online instructional materials. The revision explicitly allows paper copies to be made on school equipment for a reasonable fee, but staff said no fee will be charged for in-person viewing or when a parent accesses material online using their own device. The draft also notes that access requirements apply only to adopted curriculum and that other materials are available at the board's discretion. Committee members noted a title typo in the working draft and approved the corrected language; the committee recommended waiving the usual waiting period because the statutory change is already in effect.

Student computer and internet use (Policy IFGBA): Revisions reflect Act 686 language removing some statutory instruction and training requirements; the committee's draft includes bullet points showing how the district will meet any new DESE requirements. The committee approved the revision and waived the waiting period so changes can take effect promptly.

Student absences and excuses (aligned to DESE Bulletin 741): The committee revised the district's absences policy to mirror Bulletin 741's three categories (excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspension/expulsion). The updated language specifies that absent students, including suspended students, are allowed to submit assignments and tests and remain eligible for the same academic credit and grades if work is completed satisfactorily and timely. Committee members noted the district already provides make-up opportunities and that very few expulsions occur locally.

Action: Motions were made and seconded for each policy change; each passed by voice vote. Committee members instructed staff to correct a typographical title error in the IFA draft prior to final publication.

Ending: The committee approved the policy updates and waived rating periods where applicable so the changes can align promptly with the new state law and DESE bulletins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08/11/2025 Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The policy committee approved revisions to three district policies—IFA (instructional materials access), IFGBA (student computer and internet use), and the absences policy—to align with new state laws and DESE guidance.","taxTitle","Beauregard Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",61510,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588675,"Building and grounds committee details maintenance, Maryville flooding work and school projects",1143,1416000,2559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d&start=1416&end=2559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d/thumbnail_1416000.jpg","/articles/6588675/Louisiana/Building-and-grounds-committee-details-maintenance-Maryville-flooding-work-and-school-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588675-ce6e6d9a4fb719a3018b8a8a6898159f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775653698&Signature=DvAnnr-nwrS2qPyP3WSxJdDvMwEOcaLKM0is9OBpe3hq-ZT8GBdK0DdivzborvV7iudLK689OrVq0~35Ns1NvAT3-Ns1~0yoXJA19YR0~PJow10O2~XtT3GTuBIdkeQFj5gOpqbMfqf38oy5xpebJ3mo6hI8plepZ0p0ZsrhoLQzJCNxQfzitfEZmCswOBcdeXFuEh2Lfd85gv3WdHPPQHpJahkdt~saLifWo7Knox3DTPduBr-Z6Ee6crD5fDriXuzoUsM5rmw8nJksT1YAc5CSghlu5U6amrHU2fpcue~AHCUdmk3xfJeYEihRMPswTE1wM8Wd9KVUgGWFeJ32Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beauregard Parish School Board Building & Grounds committee received an extended maintenance and facilities update covering bond-funded projects, drainage work near Maryville High School, bus-exit and parking expansions, mini-split installations, and a pending board replacement repair in the Maryville gym boiler.

Staff said they are restructuring a 14-person maintenance crew, tightening work-flow expectations and creating clearer standards for repair requests. Committee members asked for monthly work-order reports by school; staff agreed to email PDFs of closed and open tickets to committee members.

Project updates included:
- South Boulevard athletic facilities: staff said progress continues and the district expects to be ready for the fire marshal walkthrough tied to early September events.
- Maryville High School: architects are studying chronic water intrusion that traces upstream to Highway 111; options include regrading, redirecting drainage and a proposed ditch that may affect a cemetery fence line. Staff said the drainage redesign will address long-term erosion that has periodically flooded the building.
- South Woodward Elementary: groundwork for a new wing is underway with a pour planned; district said enrollment showed a smaller-than-usual net loss on day one and noted growth pressures at southern schools.
- Parking: the district poured 40 additional spaces at Ritter Elementary with state capital outlay support; Pinewood parking remains on a priority list for future bond work.
- Mini-split strategy and HVAC repairs: staff reported mini-splits cost roughly $2,500 to install versus about $14,000 for a packaged rooftop unit; where feasible, mini-splits are being purchased and installed in-house. The committee discussed but declined large-scale automated HVAC controls because a vendor's quoted cost would represent about 40% of the district's annual HVAC operating budget; staff said targeted custodial check-routines are a lower-cost approach.
- Maryville gym boiler: staff reported a damaged control board and said insurance paid $20,000 after a $100,000 deductible; a repair specialist is rebuilding the board for about $8,500 and staff expected the repaired board to arrive for installation the following week. If the rebuild fails, a new boiler could cost roughly $100,000.

Committee members emphasized the need for better front-line work-order detail at schools so maintenance crews can triage effectively. Staff said they are talking with ag and custodial staff at several schools to improve on-site diagnostic detail before work orders are submitted.

Ending: Building & Grounds concluded with no major votes beyond routine minutes approval; staff will email monthly work-order reports and proceed with planned bond and repair work.","The Building & Grounds committee reviewed maintenance workflow changes, bond-funded projects across schools, Maryville drainage and boiler repairs, and discussed using mini-splits for classroom cooling; no major actions were taken beyond routine approvals.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588680,"Board OKs $750,000 for parishwide air-conditioning upgrades from 2023 bond funds",255,1102000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d&start=1102&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","/articles/6588680/Louisiana/Board-OKs-750000-for-parishwide-air-conditioning-upgrades-from-2023-bond-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588680-ccae08e702a131246aaaa26972c915de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775653698&Signature=mrbHRaP-aGMDMxOU5PlvN~UbEIFCHzZvCPIbOH7KRvCjgl3U9g9MS29T1wgsohiRwqQM0klTt8Y1wdE~zdwdiinfSrmDcp60XyKOlEqyccwSaPQtO5Ucg-he-5o3vepUxv8FIc~HQfPuqHv7uYIbeZ5ToHpJjCM9c-4iGvvFm8ob~Q~Mt~LN0Pt1vK~jVEjphvcR1wfLfQKdfP3PdlbkyDpPan~TnwjDmF2WmEtQMgefpvRytnjUyc~~u3M4NkB-m-PsZi0nkMi5QjgvJbWKKCh15QV9VqVkZzqRDxumSCCPn5zx5j2ocYArVylWhjaKfcy9wgS1M2fjP8cU6P4nzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beauregard Parish School Board finance committee voted to approve an additional $750,000 in parishwide air-conditioning upgrades using remaining funds from the 2023 bond.

Staff told the committee the district previously commissioned a parishwide assessment of HVAC needs and used the first tranche of bond proceeds to address the most critical systems. The new $750,000 request will fund bidding and contracting for a second round of projects identified in that assessment.

Officials said the funds would be applied primarily to rooftop units and classroom package units, and to the purchase and in-house installation of mini-split systems where appropriate. Staff noted that a single major chiller replacement would consume a large portion of available funds; excluding a chiller replacement, the $750,000 would cover an estimated additional 40% of the remaining list of needs, bringing parishwide progress to about 75% of the assessed items. If a chiller is required, the same funds would cover roughly 35% of the list.

Presenters said prior work had reduced HVAC-related complaints during recent hot days and emphasized clearer bidding specifications for this round to attract qualified vendors and avoid prior difficulties. The engineering/architect firm that conducted the parishwide assessment will prepare bid documents and specifications.

Board action: A motion to approve the $750,000 allocation was made and seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded nays. Staff will proceed with bidding and contracting under board direction.

Ending: Staff said work will be scheduled to maximize completion during cooler months and that routine maintenance and in-house installs of mini-splits would continue to be used where they are most cost-effective.","The finance committee approved spending $750,000 of remaining 2023 bond funds on additional parishwide air-conditioning upgrades, aiming to address rooftop units, mini-splits and larger chiller needs identified in prior assessments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588685,"Beauregard Parish board approves retention stipend for teachers and counselors",808,263000,1071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d&start=263&end=1071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560335-506f12f9eeef1bd40d55dfe60811b59d/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6588685/Louisiana/Beauregard-Parish-board-approves-retention-stipend-for-teachers-and-counselors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588685-36f8211dd5e7d7932351a812b51e4bdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775653698&Signature=BdBRIaPTbAVDOJh9NkBOYsHmXWqWU-5xtB4VLy-iRI0B0mnoQ57osSlF6-Jb9wlHBca5ceUqjNYd9ERknBHEQxi3wbDyNnqDvwLbbudeIiNlEjNnCb6Xg~7T0yqza2TXEqWBykJXOnB4vcFdUZuYxv3KXJFXQ8uscRpalGNTZWswcMRO1N9S2qeZEHYd5Ktadf1hw~5GyZ3LsUi1AM0X-v4IxBfRsFZQ0e7CbDjThlNWy2-en5v2do000q4PM1zT6ETTBBTHxsE9JHuEvRUlMzPplSjdifjNBt9KlvUT7EJTdjtchuVRLSB5yPmMd6ejm9oSeKHeR2RGaGBTUSFDAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beauregard Parish School Board finance committee approved a retention stipend for teachers and counselors who meet three criteria: a successful final evaluation under the district's legacy/LEADS rubric, employment with the district the prior school year (excluding nonrenewing contracts), and continued employment on the stipend disbursement date of Jan. 15.

Supporters said the January payment date was chosen to help staff during the long pay gap that stretches over the winter break. Presenters told the committee the stipend is being reframed from a prior evaluation-based payout into a retention-focused payment tied to successful evaluations and return-to-service.

Committee members asked for clarifications during debate. Staff said the stipend will apply only to certificated teachers and counselors (librarians “follow the teachers” historically), and that temporary, nonrenewing emergency hires would not qualify. Miss Crane and staff calculated a rough per-recipient range and told the committee, \"it's gonna pay somewhere between $3.80 to $4.20,\" language the committee referenced in discussion; presenters and members treated that as shorthand for roughly $380–$420 per eligible employee.

Committee members also asked where the money would come from. Staff said roughly 80% of the funds come from a DCA (dedicated categorical allocation) source provided through state-directed funds and roughly 20% from the district general fund. Staff described those state funds as ones the district was directed to use for effectiveness and retention purposes.

Board members amended the draft language to replace the phrase \"excluding year to year contracts\" with \"excluding nonrenewing contracts\" to avoid confusion about annually signed teacher contracts; that amendment was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The full motion to adopt the stipend criteria was then approved by voice vote with no recorded nays.

What the measure does not change: presenters emphasized the stipend is not a guaranteed signing bonus for short-term hires and will only be paid to staff who remain employed through the Jan. 15 disbursement date. Staff also said the program affects only teachers and counselors this year and does not extend to most administrators.

Next steps: staff will finalize the policy language and disbursement process and implement the Jan. 15 payout cycle for the coming school year.

Ending: Committee members welcomed the change as a way to both recognize satisfactory evaluations and encourage retention; staff said they will return with finalized language and implementation details if needed.","The finance committee approved a retention stipend for teachers and counselors who meet specified evaluation, employment and return-to-service criteria; funding will come largely from state-directed DCA funds and a local general fund contribution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy committee updates: instructional materials access, student internet policy and absence rules approved

Building and grounds committee details maintenance, Maryville flooding work and school projects

Board OKs $750,000 for parishwide air-conditioning upgrades from 2023 bond funds

Beauregard Parish board approves retention stipend for teachers and counselors