Ouachita Parish School Board adopts FY25–26 budget, approves staff stipends, policy updates and fleet purchases

The Ouachita Parish School Board on Aug. 25 approved its 2025–26 operating budget, authorized distribution of one‑time state stipends for certificated and support staff, adopted several policy updates and approved a series of operational purchases and funding changes.

The board approved the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 as presented in the district packet and discussed at a public hearing earlier the same day. The board chair called for a motion and the board voted to adopt the budget. Board members did not record any opposition during the vote.

In a separate action tied to state legislation this year, the board authorized distribution of the Legislature‑approved one‑time stipend: $2,000 for certificated staff and $1,000 for support staff. The district told the board the stipends must be distributed before Dec. 15; the board approved distributing payments on Oct. 9 using an employment cutoff of Oct. 1, 2025, so staff hired on or before that date would be included.

The board also approved several policy changes that the policy review committee recommended. Policies presented included IFA 25, IBFGA 25, JBD 25 (attendance/makeup work), JCDA‑F 25, JDE 25, JGCE 25 and JGCF 25. The committee told the board the changes reflect actions taken in the most recent legislative session and state board guidance; one specific local clarification to JBD would limit makeup work time to no more days than the number of days a student missed (for example, three missed days = three days to complete makeup work).

Other operational approvals included: - Activity trip pay: the board approved a simplified pay rate for bus drivers and activity trip drivers of $25 per hour, with an additional $25 per hour for hours beyond eight and a $200 overnight fee when an overnight stay is required. The board approved the change after district staff said the former system had become difficult to administer. - Ag substitute funding: the board approved reimbursing substitute costs for agriculture teachers when those absences are for required curriculum activities or closely tied to their professional organization obligations. The change takes effect for the start of the current school year and is intended to remove the previous practice of billing those substitute costs back to individual schools. - Fleet purchase: the board approved a cooperative endeavor agreement to buy seven used school buses from Union Parish School Board at $10,000 each (total $70,000). District staff said the buses are 2015 models equipped with cameras and air conditioning and that the district’s mechanics expect to keep them in service for years. - Bid acceptance: the board accepted bids for West Monroe High School training‑room equipment (bid 10‑26). District staff recommended awarding items across three responsive vendors; the tabulation in the packet showed a combined award totaling $67,054.55 though the board motion referenced the project budget of $60,000 and carried as presented.

Several routine items also passed by unanimous voice vote, including approval of the meeting minutes from the Aug. 12, 2025 meeting and the meeting agenda.

Votes and motions were moved and seconded during the meeting; where roll‑call votes were used the board recorded affirmative votes and no recorded opposition.

The board adjourned after approving the agenda of business items and scheduling the next board meeting for Oct. 21.