During the St. Bernard Parish School Board's regular monthly meeting on September 23, 2025, key discussions centered around the approval of previous meeting minutes and an update on student enrollment figures for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The meeting commenced with the board approving the minutes from the general committee meeting held on September 9, 2025, followed by the approval of the regular monthly meeting minutes from August 26, 2025. Both motions passed unanimously, reflecting a smooth start to the session.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the current student enrollment counts. As of the latest report, the district has enrolled 7,449 students across its pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade programs. This figure is crucial as it precedes the October 1 enrollment count, which is used to determine funding allocations based on the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP).

Superintendent Bocek highlighted a concerning trend: a decline in enrollment numbers, particularly in the younger grades. This trend is not only evident in St. Bernard Parish but is also reflected statewide. The implications of these declining numbers could affect funding, as the MFP is calculated based on per-pupil enrollment figures. Board member Long raised a pertinent question regarding the potential impact on MFP funding, indicating that a decrease in enrollment could lead to reduced financial support for the district.

The discussions during this meeting underscore ongoing challenges facing the St. Bernard Parish School Board, particularly in maintaining student enrollment levels and securing adequate funding. As the board prepares for the October 1 count, the community will be watching closely to see how these trends will influence the district's financial health and educational resources in the coming year.