Board delays operating budget approval, adopts time-entry policy and tables superintendent pay

BATON ROUGE, La. — At its Sept. 9 meeting the Board of Directors of the Special School District took several administrative votes and procedural actions. The board postponed operating-budget approval and deferred consideration of interim-superintendent compensation, adopted a new time-entry and e-certification policy, and directed officers to produce a formal process to track board appointments.

Key details - State appropriation: Delvickio Opiku, executive director for business and finance, told the board the 2025–26 appropriated operating budget is $36,330,000; the board must approve the appropriation in order for SSD to expend funds. - Working budget requested: Several board members said they had not received the detailed working budget and asked for the document before approving spending authority. The board voted to postpone consideration of the budget amendments to allow members to review the materials. - Time-entry policy adopted: The board unanimously adopted an updated time-entry and e-certification policy replacing an older time-and-attendance rule from 2015. Mary Glouston, human resources director, said the policy standardizes payroll reporting and addresses repeated audit questions. - Superintendent compensation tabled: Board members discussed multiple proposed increases for Interim Superintendent Shirley Lewis. Several motions proposing raises had no second; the board ultimately voted to postpone further action on compensation so that additional details (budget source and historical comparisons) can be provided.

Votes at a glance (formal roll-call outcomes taken from meeting minutes) 1) Approval of minutes (May, July, Aug 2025): Outcome — approved (unanimous). Roll call: Maria Annis, Dee Budgewater, Jamar Ennis, Rachel Grainne, Ronnie Morris, Audra Muslow Hicks, Catherine Presley, Jessica White — all voted yes. 2) Receive and accept superintendent's report: Outcome — approved (unanimous). (See separate article for report details.) 3) Motion to receive report concerning board functions and appointments: Outcome — approved (unanimous). 4) Motion to revisit agenda and take up items d–f requiring quorum (to prioritize voting while some members present): Outcome — approved (7 yes; Ronnie Morris voted no). 5) Consideration/approval of amendments to SSD operating budget (appropriation $36,330,000): Outcome — postponed; board requested a working budget to review before approving expenditures (motion to table passed unanimously). 6) Consideration of compensation for interim superintendent: Outcome — postponed (motion to defer carried by roll-call vote). 7) Adoption of updated time entry and e-certification policy (replacing August 2015 time-and-attendance practice): Outcome — approved (unanimous). 8) Motion directing board officers to propose a formal appointments-tracking process to avoid future vacancies/lapses: Outcome — approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: The board must approve the appropriated operating budget to authorize SSD to spend state funds; postponing that approval means leaders must either secure an emergency procedure or hold a special meeting once members have reviewed the working budget. The time-entry policy adoption addresses audit findings about payroll reporting. The board’s directive to officers aims to prevent future appointment lapses that can leave the board without quorum.

Ending: Board officers were asked to return a recommended tracking process at the November meeting. Several board members signaled they may request an emergency meeting if the district cannot expend funds pending formal approval.