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Committee approves general‑fund coverage for substitutes during approved agricultural teacher professional leave
Summary
The finance committee voted to pay substitute teachers for approved agricultural teacher professional leave from the general fund, a change intended to relieve high school agricultural programs. The committee set an Oct. 1 start date; the CFO said estimated cost is “not specified” and would not be material.
The Ouachita Parish School Board finance committee approved a request to fund substitute teachers for approved agricultural‑program professional leave from the district’s general fund.
Chief Financial Officer Regina Mecas said agricultural (ag) teachers requested that substitute pay for approved professional leave be treated similarly to other professional‑leave categories already covered by school funds. Mecas explained that many ag competitions and events are co‑curricular and tied directly to classroom instruction — examples she cited include welding and electrical competitions, 4‑H events and other supervised contests — and that covering substitute costs would relieve pressure on program budgets that otherwise depend on student fees and fundraising.
Committee members discussed timing and budget impact. When asked for an estimated cost, Mecas said the amount was “not specified” and added, “It would not be material.” The committee agreed on an Oct. 1 effective date to give schools time to incorporate the change into fall budgets.
The committee approved the recommendation and will forward it for full‑board action, per committee practice. When called, the motion passed by voice vote.
Ending: The district will monitor expenses and return to the committee if the financial impact exceeds expectations.
