School committee approves five-year demographic study to guide school-site planning

The Bossier Parish School Board Building and Grounds Committee on an unanimous vote approved a contract with geographic planning and demography services to provide a five-year school‑age population projection, staff said.

Neighborhood and facilities planner staff presented the scope of work and told committee members the study will be used to anticipate school‑site needs as new residential development proceeds. “Neighborhood development and parish growth is really something we track,” staff member Mr. Cottom said, describing recent coordination with local planning commissions and past demographic updates.

The study, as described by staff, will incorporate a working estimate of roughly 6,100 new homes across 21 proposed neighborhood developments, including large phases described in staff remarks as “3,500” and “1,200” home site proposals. Staff said most of the projected growth is concentrated in North Bossier, the Benton area and Haughton along Highway 80. Mr. Cottom said the consultant’s proposal lists a 120‑day schedule but staff have discussed completing the work in about 60 days.

Committee member Mr. Bullard moved the recommendation to contract with the vendor; Mr. Brotherton seconded and the committee approved the motion unanimously. The committee later voted to assign the project’s funding to the general fund after a separate amendment was proposed and adopted.

Committee discussion raised the need for staff to provide maps and ownership information for several school‑owned parcels flagged for potential future use. Mr. Bullard asked staff for an aerial depiction showing adjacent property ownership and use around three named properties so the board could consider options “near term.” Staff said one parcel at 4900 Benton Road includes about 17 acres and another site described as about 22 acres is adjacent to South Bossier Park.

Why it matters: Committee members said they want a demographic snapshot now so the board can proactively plan where and when additional capacity or new campuses might be required as subdivisions are built out.

What’s next: Staff will forward the consultant proposal and maps to committee members and proceed under the approved funding assignment. The consultant’s timeline and final deliverables were described in the proposal; staff indicated the proposal could be completed faster than the 120 days stated in the document.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to recommend the Bossier Parish School Board contract with geographic planning and demography services for a five‑year school‑age population projection as outlined in the vendor proposal dated Dec. 10, 2024. Mover: Mr. Bullard; Second: Mr. Brotherton; Outcome: approved (unanimous). Note: vote counts not specified in transcript.

- Motion to amend funding for the contract to the general fund. Mover: Mr. Bullard; Second: Miss Fredericton; Outcome: approved (vote counts not specified).