Bossier Parish School Board recognizes STARBASE and new district leaders, approves facility uses and calendar changes

The Bossier Parish School Board on April 3 recognized STARBASE at Barksdale Air Force Base, introduced several newly hired district supervisors and a director of transportation, and approved a series of routine business items including facility‑use agreements, a school‑calendar modification for teachers and several building and grounds projects.

The meeting opened with remarks introducing Colonel David Martinez, commander of the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, who thanked the district for its continued pledge to STARBASE Louisiana and noted the program’s reach. “The 307 has been a proud sponsor of STARBASE on Barksdale Air Force since its inception, 25 years ago,” Martinez said. STARBASE officials noted the local site recently celebrated its 40,000th student and serves three fifth‑grade classes per day with additional programs for middle and high school students.

The board also heard introductions from Superintendent Roland of several new district leaders: Aaron McGee, newly appointed director of transportation; Mitch Maxwell, supervisor of special education; and Kelly Ogilvy, English‑learner (EL) supervisor. In accepting his appointment, McGee said, “It is our job each and every day to get each kid to and from school safely and quickly.”

In recognitions, the district marked April as the Month of the Military Child, presented awards for student artwork displayed at the Defenders of Liberty air show and honored Parkway High School educator Julie Edwards as the district’s Gold Star recipient for March.

On routine business the board approved minutes and the meeting agenda, then voted to move the May 15 regular board meeting to May 22 to avoid conflicts with graduations and statewide events. The board also approved a teacher calendar modification to make teachers’ last day the same as students’ (May 20). Several building and grounds recommendations that came out of a committee meeting were approved, including authorization to proceed with JMAC phase 2 improvements using the remaining bond construction funds cited in committee, authorization of a $30,000 Benton High School baseball bleacher addition funded by the Benton Baseball Booster Club, approval of use of Kelly Street Fields (Lots 2 and 7, Block D, Town of Benton) for overflow parking as outlined in a cooperative endeavor agreement dated 02/06/2014, and approval of extended facility usage agreements for Benton High School baseball and Bossier High School baseball and softball with fee adjustments as recommended by staff.

The transportation committee reported on recruitment, fleet and maintenance as Colonel Hadden prepares to retire; the committee had no actionable items. A routine trip request was approved and the meeting adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (regular session 03/20/2025) — motion by Miss Smith, second by Mr. Bertrand; outcome: approved. - Approval of special session minutes (03/27/2025) — motion by Mr. Arby, second by Miss Poole; outcome: approved. - Approval of agenda for 04/03/2025 — motion by Miss Brotherton, second by Mr. Bertrand; outcome: approved. - Move May 15 board meeting to May 22 — motion by Miss Smith, second by Mr. Bertrand; outcome: approved. - Move teachers’ last day to May 20 to match students — motion by Mr. Bertrand, second by Mr. Fauci; outcome: approved. - JMAC phase 2 improvements using remaining bond construction funds — committee recommendation carried unanimously; outcome: approved (amount described in committee as “remaining 2,012 bond construction funds,” not further specified). - Benton High School baseball bleacher addition (estimated $30,000, funded by Benton Baseball Booster Club) — committee recommendation carried unanimously; outcome: approved. - Use of Kelly Street Fields (Lots 2 and 7, Block D, Town of Benton) for overflow parking per cooperative endeavor agreement dated 02/06/2014 — outcome: approved. - Extended facility usage agreements (Benton HS baseball; Bossier HS baseball and softball) with fee adjustments — outcome: approved. - Trip request approval (routine) — outcome: approved.

The board had no contested votes recorded in the transcript; votes were announced as passed without roll‑call tallies in the public audio provided. Several discussion items (WT Lewis playground equipment, Bossier High ADA ramp) were presented to committee or for discussion only and did not require board action at the meeting.

Ending Board members and staff noted upcoming work sessions and events including a job and resource fair on April 15 and the LSBA Capital Conference on April 30. The meeting adjourned after the business agenda concluded.