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Caddo Parish executive committee discusses adding parent‑teacher conference windows to 2025–26 calendar
Summary
Committee members and district staff outlined a plan to add designated parent‑teacher conference evenings and follow‑up days in the 2025–26 calendar (Oct., Dec., March), with student dismissal at 11:30 a.m. on conference days and evening conferences through 7–7:30 p.m.; principals would set scheduling and teachers would receive compensatory time.
The Caddo Parish School Board executive committee discussed a proposed revision to the 2025–26 school calendar that would set aside end‑of‑grading‑period conference evenings and follow‑up days to expand parent‑teacher access.
District staff member Miss Tremeo told the committee the revision would add designated conference windows after the first, second and third grading periods: evening conferences with student dismissal at 11:30 a.m. on the scheduled conference day, conferences running into the evening (about 7:00–7:30 p.m.), and a following day for continued conferences or professional development. Tremeo said the calendar changes are intended to “strengthen our parent‑teacher communication” and provide teachers compensatory time for evening work.
The proposal as explained to the committee specifies evening conference dates and the following‑day schedule in October, December and March. Under the plan discussed, students would be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. on the conference day; that afternoon and the full day the next morning are designated as virtual days so the district does not lose instructional minutes required by the state. Miss Yates clarified that students would attend in person the morning of the conference day, be dismissed at 11:30 a.m., and be expected to complete assignments virtually later that day; staff described that virtual work would not be synchronous classroom teaching but would consist of assignments or other teacher‑arranged activities.
Board members and staff raised logistical questions. Mr. Rochelle said the board should clarify language because the draft reads “after each” nine‑week period but the staff intends the conferences only after the first three nine‑week periods, not the fourth. Tremeo and Mr. Burton (district staff) acknowledged the need to correct wording. Committee members discussed how large middle and high schools will prioritize which families to invite given limited evening capacity; principals and counselors would target students most at risk of failure, excessive absences or disciplinary issues. Miss McLean and others suggested schools could offer appointment sign‑up tools (for example, SignUpGenius) and leave scheduling details to each school so principals can tailor approaches to local needs. Staff also noted the plan may require coordination with after‑school providers and community partners and that home visits could be necessary for families difficult to reach.
Public commenter Jackie Lansdale, who identified herself from Red River United, praised the superintendent’s explanation and urged the administration to accommodate teachers’ schedules and to advertise the changes widely. Committee members said the calendar revision would be placed on the board agenda for consideration at the full board meeting on Feb. 18, 2025 (listed on the draft agenda as item 8.05). No formal board vote on the calendar change was recorded at the executive committee meeting transcript.
If approved by the full school board, the changes would require schools to publish local scheduling details so parents and community partners can plan for dismissals, virtual expectations and after‑school coverage.
