Beauregard Parish superintendent outlines strategic‑plan expansion funded by Strong Start grant; DeRidder mayor offers city support

The Beauregard Parish School Board heard details of a district strategic‑planning expansion and a presentation from DeRidder’s mayor during its May 14 meeting.

Mister Holly, the superintendent, said the district is in year three of a four‑year strategic plan and has received a Strong Start grant from the Louisiana Department of Education to fund a five‑month external planning process. The district will partner with Attuned Education Partners to extend the plan by one year and refine goals; the process will include surveys and interviews of board members, teachers, administrators, parents, alumni and civic leaders. Holly said the grant covers the cost and staff should expect email solicitations for participation from a district contact (Miss Hickenbottom).

Mayor Harris addressed the board and described several local initiatives he said his office will support. Harris said he has discussed with school principals and district staff a nonprofit plan to acquire and restore an old trade‑school building on MLK Avenue for a community center and emergency response use, working with faith‑based groups and other nonprofits to maintain youth programming and neighborhood services. “We’re gonna make noise, support our young people any way that we can,” Harris said, pledging an open‑door policy for educators and cooperation with school leadership on bus safety and other operational concerns.

The superintendent closed his report following the mayor’s remarks; no formal board vote was required for the grant‑funded planning process, which the superintendent described as a no‑cost external engagement to inform district goals.

Next steps: district staff will notify board members and stakeholders about surveys and interviews led by Attuned Education Partners and will return with planning milestones as the process progresses.