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School board approves monthly meeting restructure; amendment requires committee chairs to summarize recommendations
Summary
The Caddo Parish School Board approved a policy change to shift committee meetings to the first Tuesday and hold a single executive/regular meeting on the third Tuesday, with a friendly amendment requiring committee chairs to report recommendations at regular meetings.
Caddo Parish School Board, Shreveport — The Caddo Parish School Board on July 15 approved a policy change to modify its monthly meeting calendar and added a requirement that committee chairs provide a brief summary of committee recommendations at regular meetings.
Board member Miss McLean moved to approve the policy review committee’s recommendation that agendas be available before the first Tuesday of the month, that the first Tuesday be reserved for committee meetings as necessary, and that the executive committee meet at 4 p.m. on the third Tuesday followed by the regular board meeting. Miss Bale seconded the motion.
Board member Bobby Little proposed a friendly amendment that “At regular board meetings, committee chairs shall report a brief overview of committee meeting minutes and submit any recommendations for board consideration.” Little said the change would reduce duplication of debate by making committee recommendations directly visible at the full-board meeting. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Rochelle and accepted by the maker.
After extended discussion among board members about logistics, public access and timing for distribution of backup materials, the board voted to approve the motion as amended. The meeting record shows the motion passed.
Board members debated how the new schedule will affect transparency and public participation. Public commenter John Glover asked how citizens would be informed when committee meetings would be held, warning that scheduling committee meetings during daytime hours could reduce in-person public input. The board’s discussion acknowledged those concerns and several members said they expected the superintendent and board president to coordinate committee scheduling and distribution of supporting documents in the weeks between the first- and third-Tuesday sessions.
The adopted change directs committees to meet earlier in the month and requires chairs to present recommendations at the full board meeting later that month. The transcript does not record specific implementation deadlines for distributing backup materials or a board vote roll-call showing individual yes/no votes; the clerk recorded the motion as approved.
