The Caddo Parish School Board policy review committee on July 1 recommended changing board policy so the board president and the superintendent — not the executive committee — prepare the agenda and the board meet once a month, with committee meetings in the first week and the executive committee and regular meeting on the third Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.

Attorney Abrams told the committee he modeled the proposed language on other Louisiana districts and proposed deleting the line that gave the executive committee authority to set the agenda. Under the draft language presented, "the Caddo Parish school board president and the superintendent shall prepare or cause to be prepared an agenda for all regular board meetings" and members, staff and employees may suggest items for inclusion. The draft also calls for agendas and supporting documents to be posted on BoardDocs by the first Tuesday of each month, while retaining the minimum 24-hour public notice requirement under state law.

The change would remove the routine role of the executive committee in agenda preparation and rely instead on committee work earlier in the month, proponents said. Supporters told the committee the goal is to increase reliance on committee deliberations so the full board comes to the regular meeting prepared to act. "If this board would adopt a one-meeting-per-month philosophy ... we would have more time during the month to have board or committee meetings and that it just brings a greater operational efficiency," said Board Member Verton Burton.

Opponents and some longtime board members warned the change could reduce public access and make it harder to get timely answers from staff. Board Member Jessica Yates asked how members would get prompt answers to questions that now are often handled between the committee and the regular meeting. Attorney Abrams and other panelists replied that trustees should request information before the meeting and that special meetings remain available when the board needs to act quickly. "You have the authority to call a special meeting at any time," said Superintendent Burton when explaining the board's existing powers to convene additional sessions.

Several members proposed compromise scheduling to reduce disruption. Trustee Tammy McLean moved a substitute recommendation that would require agendas to be posted by the first Tuesday, reserve the first Tuesday for committee meetings as needed, and hold the executive committee at 4:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday followed immediately by the regular board meeting. Jessica Yates seconded the substitute motion; the committee voted to forward that recommendation for consideration by the full board at its July 15 meeting.

Public commenters expressed concern about clarity and access. John Glover told the committee he left the discussion confused about which meetings would remain public and called for clearer notice. Carlos McDaniel, president of the Caddo Federation of Teachers, cited Louisiana Revised Statute 42:15(A) and urged the board to ensure committee scheduling and public notice comply with state law regarding public comment before votes.

Committee members and staff said implementation details will matter. Attorney Abrams noted the policy language can include specific timing limits for agenda changes and the BoardDocs posting target; several trustees asked staff to draft precise wording limiting additions close to meeting time and to spell out when an emergency item would permit a later addition. The committee's recommendation does not itself change the law; it directs the full board to consider the revised BD and BCBD policies at the July 15 meeting.

If the board approves the change, staff and trustees said they will need to finalize calendar rules, BoardDocs posting procedures and committee meeting schedules so the public and employees can plan in advance.

Next steps: the committee-recommended revision of policies BD and BCBD will be presented to the full Caddo Parish School Board for consideration at the July 15, 2025 meeting.