The Bossier Parish School Board voted to enter executive session on July 17 to discuss multiple pre-suit and legal matters, citing LSA-R.S. 42:17(A)(2) as the authority for the closed meeting.

Why it matters: Executive sessions allow the board to consult with counsel on pending or prospective litigation; outcomes of those consultations may lead to settlement decisions, legal strategy or later public actions.

The board identified three items to discuss in executive session: a pre-suit claim involving Franklin Valdez arising from a school bus incident on or about April 27, 2024, a matter styled Sesson P. Wooten (individually and on behalf of her minor child) versus named parties including the school board and an insurer, docket number 171582 in the 26th Judicial District Court (Bossier Parish), and a pre-suit claim involving a special-education student at Haughton Middle School arising from an incident on Nov. 4, 2024. The board moved to enter executive session pursuant to LSA-R.S. 42:17(A)(2) and the motion passed.

Motion and outcome: A motion by Glenn Bullard, seconded by Eric Falting, to enter executive session for all three matters passed; the transcript records the motion and “Motion passes.” The board asked BYL (Bossier Youth Leadership) students in attendance to be aware the auditorium would be empty during the closed session and offered to sign students’ attendance slips if desired.

Next steps: The transcript records only that the board voted to go into executive session; no public actions or decisions resulting from the closed session were recorded in the public transcript excerpt provided.