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Ouachita Parish School Board approves 2025'26 calendar, keeps third virtual day after parent objections
Summary
The board approved the 2025'26 school calendar, including a new third virtual day March 6 after public comment highlighted concerns about student access, attendance tracking and meals; the district said the virtual days respond to teacher requests for planning time.
The Ouachita Parish School Board voted Feb. 11 to approve the 2025'26 school calendar, which sets the first day of classes for Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, and adds a third scheduled "virtual day" for students on March 6, 2026.
Jason Thompson of the calendar committee presented the calendar to the board and said the schedule is "for the most part everything was fairly standard" but recommended adding a third virtual day in March because teachers requested an additional workday for planning and parent conferences. "They also use those days to have parent conferences," Thompson said.
A member of the public who identified herself as Madeline addressed the board during public comment and urged removal of the virtual days, saying, "Just because we can, doesn't mean we should." She complained the virtual days created extra work for teachers who had to chase down students and raised equity concerns about households without internet or the ability to take Chromebooks home. Madeline also urged the district to ensure a feeding program on virtual days for students who rely on school meals.
Board members discussed the concerns. District technology staff said the system is 1:1 and that schools provide alternatives such as paper packets when internet access is unavailable. Superintendent-level staff and other administrators said the virtual days responded to direct requests from teachers for time to plan and hold conferences and that the district has adjusted procedures after earlier implementation challenges. Reverend McCoy noted the food access concern and said community groups sometimes supplement meals; the superintendent indicated staff would discuss possible feeding options and logistics.
A motion to approve the 2025'26 calendar as presented passed with no opposition.
Board members who spoke during the discussion encouraged advance notice when community members have concerns and said the district will monitor implementation details — including attendance reporting, the quality of assignments and supports for students without home internet — as the virtual days occur.
