Bossier Parish School Board approves one-time staff supplement, facility agreements and schedule change

The Bossier Parish School Board on Sept. 18 approved one-time state supplement guidelines for the 2025–26 school year, several facility-use and lease recommendations from its Building & Grounds committee, a schedule change for the Oct. 16 meeting and routine trip requests.

Chief Financial Officer Nisha Bamberg told the board the proposed supplement would be $2,000 for professional and certified staff and $1,000 for support staff. Bamberg said crossing guards were included in the district’s plan and referenced the stipend as '2 $250' in her presentation. She said the supplement is proposed for every employee on payroll as of Oct. 1, 2025, and would be paid by direct deposit on Oct. 3, 2025. Bamberg added the supplement payment is calculated from prior-year staffing counts, which can leave the district short of state dollars in some years; in those cases she said the district intends to make up the difference so that full‑time employees are included.

"It would be $2,000 for professional and certified staff, and $1,000 for our support staff," Bamberg said. The board approved the guidelines after a public comment from Bernard Friday of Red River United, who thanked the board "for not adding any exclusionary language or prorating the state stipends" for people on sabbatical or on extended leave.

Superintendent Jason Rowland asked whether pre‑K teachers were included; Bamberg confirmed all full‑time employees are included, and reiterated the district’s practice of covering any shortfall in state funding so eligible employees receive the stipend.

The Board also approved several committee recommendations from the Building & Grounds meeting: extended facility‑usage agreements for the Benton High softball facility (with fee adjustments recommended by staff); use of the Airline High School auditorium for Jehovah’s Witnesses religious events in October 2025 and February 2026; a lease extension for Arc of Acadiana at 5401 Shed Road in Bossier City to Feb. 28, 2026 (committee noted this would be the last extension); and authorization for a walking track project at Benton Intermediate School funded by the school. Committee votes were recorded as unanimous in each instance and the board approved the items.

President Newman announced a procedural change to voting: the board will continue to use its electronic voting system but will also require a vocal "ayes/nays" response and a show of hands to produce both an auditory and visual record.

The board approved a one‑time change to the Oct. 16 meeting start time, moving that session to 5 p.m. so members and attendees can accommodate a homecoming parade at Airline High School. Trip requests on the agenda were approved, and the meeting adjourned after a brief round of superintendent announcements, including scheduling reminders for Oct. 2.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (09/04/2025): motion passed (mover: Mr. Wiggins; seconder: Mr. Bertrand). - Approval of meeting agenda (09/18/2025): motion passed (mover: Miss Darby; seconder: Miss Smith). - Change Oct. 16 meeting start time to 5 p.m.: motion passed (mover: Mr. Bullard; seconder: Miss Brotherton). - Approve one‑time supplement guidelines for 2025–26: motion passed (mover recorded as Mr. Fauci; seconder: Miss Darby). - Building & Grounds committee recommendations (facility usage, auditorium usage, Arc of Acadiana lease extension, Benton Intermediate walking track): motions passed (committee votes reported unanimous; board vote recorded as passed). - Trip requests: motion passed (mover: Miss Brotherton; seconder: Miss Smith). - Adjournment: motion passed (mover: Mr. Bertrand; seconder: Mr. Foulting).

What’s next: The Transportation Committee meets Oct. 2 at 5:15 p.m.; the next regular Board session is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. The board will implement the new vocal/visual voting procedure going forward.