Bossier Parish Schools honor students and staff; Chamber to fund Purple Star school support

During its Oct. 2, 2025, regular session, the Bossier Parish School Board highlighted student and staff achievements, and a community partnership to support military-connected students.

Sonia Bales, communications and media officer, presented multiple recognitions including two state finalists in the Ronald Reagan Oratory Competition and seven students singled out in the National Merit Scholarship program. The district identified JJ Mason (Benton High School) and Austin Harkins (Airline High School) as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and listed five additional students as commended. The presentation noted the district’s academic standing and encouraged the public to review the district community report mailed to households.

The board also recognized district employees. Terry Howe, director of human resources, presented the outstanding school support employees of the year for elementary, middle and high school divisions and named district-level winners who will advance to state competition. In addition, the school system continued its Gold Star and Award of Excellence recognitions sponsored by Bossier Federal Credit Union.

Holly George, supervisor of special programs and military family services manager, announced that Haughton Elementary had been named the district’s 28th Purple Star School — a state designation for schools that meet criteria for serving military-connected students — and described the renewal process Purple Star schools undergo. George said about 3,200 students in the parish are military-connected, representing approximately 15% of the district’s student population.

Lisa Johnson, president of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, told the board that the chamber’s Northwest Louisiana Military Support Foundation will provide a $500 monthly contribution to a district Purple Star school each month to help fund clubs and family-support activities not covered by school budgets. Johnson said the $500 will come through the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and is initiated by the Northwest Louisiana Military Support Foundation.

Superintendent Jason Rowland and staff encouraged families to use the mailed community report, which the presentation said reached more than 55,000 households and included statistics such as the district ranking in the top 15% in the state for ACT scores, more than 4,000 student athletes participating last year, and child nutrition programs that qualified 28 schools for a federal free-meal program, a change the presentation said equated to nearly $12 million in savings for families.

No formal board action was recorded on recognitions or the Chamber commitment during the meeting; the chamber’s funding plan was described as an announced partnership and community support initiative.