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Votes at a glance: Ouachita Parish School Board approves bus policy, millage, pupil progression and construction bids
Summary
The Ouachita Parish School Board approved a series of policy and fiscal items at its July meeting, including a revised bus routing policy, the 2025 ad valorem millage roll, the 2025–26 pupil progression plan and permission to bid on several construction and furnishing projects.
The Ouachita Parish School Board acted on several routine and policy items at its July meeting, approving changes to transportation policy, levying 2025 ad valorem millage rates, adopting the 2025–26 pupil progression plan and granting permission to bid on multiple construction and furnishing projects.
Key votes and outcomes
- Bond resolution, Series 2025 (Item 1): Adopted by voice vote; see separate coverage. (Voice vote; no opposition announced.)
- Policy EDD — School bus scheduling and routing: Approved. The board adopted the policy changes recommended by the policy review committee, including replacing the term "supervisor" with "director" and adding language that "any exceptions will be determined by the director of transportation." Board member and policy committee representatives described the changes as safety-focused, particularly for setting safe pickup zones and limiting bus access to private roads that lack adequate turnarounds.
- Architect nomination for Linwell (Linwood) Elementary cafeteria project: Approved. The board nominated and voted to retain Tom Brandon Associates (TBI) as architect for the Linwell Elementary cafeteria project.
- Partnership with Ouachita Parish Police Jury — caution lights at West Ouachita High School: Approved. Board members said they coordinated with Police Juror Jimmy Tyson to install two caution lights near the agricultural building and other high-traffic crossing areas; the board directed staff to determine costs and proceed in partnership.
- 2025–26 pupil progression plan: Approved. The board approved proposed changes developed by a committee representing elementary, middle and high schools; the approved plan will be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) for final approval.
- Financial report for period ending May 31, 2025: Presented. Finance staff reported the general fund balance and several sales tax balances. The general fund balance ending May 31 was reported as $34,500,000 (81.3% of prior year fund balance). Staff noted the 1968 sales tax clean-out payment occurs in June and that some balances will change on next month's statements.
- Ad valorem tax millage for 2025 (roll call): Adopted. The board revisited a previously adopted resolution to conduct a roll-call vote at counsel's request and confirmed there is no increase in millage from the prior year. The levies read into the record were: Parish of Ouachita School Board constitutional — 5.18 mills; maintenance and operation — 24.15 mills; East Ouachita Bond — 36.00 mills. A roll-call vote was taken and recorded with named "yes" votes from board members present.
- Permission to bid (multiple items): Approved. The board granted permission to bid on five items, including quarterly copy paper, artificial turf replacement for baseball/softball at Ouachita and Sterlington High Schools (East Side bond funds, budget $4,050,000), a property sale for 3420 Gordon Avenue (requesting a sale threshold of 80% of appraised value, $14,160), West Monroe High School training room furnishings (budget $155,000; West Washtenaw sales tax), and Linwell (Linwood) Elementary cafeteria renovations (budget $2,300,000; West Washtenaw sales tax). The board also authorized rebidding the Gordon Avenue property after a first solicitation received no offers.
Context and next steps
Board members framed many approvals as routine: the bus policy changes were described as safety measures originating with transportation staff; the millage action was a technical roll call confirming there is no increase from the prior year; the pupil progression plan will be sent to LDOE for review. Several construction and furnishing items will proceed to formal bidding with funding sources identified in the board packet. Board members noted ongoing East Side bond projects and thanked staff and advisers for advancing design and procurement work.
Votes not recorded by name in the transcript were enacted by voice vote or by roll call where specified. The board adjourned following a motion and second.
