Board agrees to send proposal recognizing cheer sponsors as coaches to full board after student testimony

The St. Landry Parish School Board agreed to forward a proposal to the full board to recognize cheer sponsors as coaches so they may be eligible for stipend allocations like other athletic coaches.

Boardmember Robert Gautre introduced the item and urged the board to change the classification so cheer sponsors would be eligible for the stipend used for athletic coaching. Supporters noted that principals already control stipend allocations at individual schools and called for a measured approach so other club sponsors could be considered later.

Several students testified in support. Cameron, who self‑identified as a senior and a cheerleader, said she loves the sport and described its demands and community role: “I love this sport and I love this school,” she said. Nadia Dahlberg, a junior cheerleader, told the board, “Cheerleading is undeniably a sport… We train year round, pushing ourselves physically and mentally to perfect stunts,” and noted scholarship opportunities attained by cheerleaders.

Board members clarified the motion language — emphasizing that recognition for stipend eligibility would be localized to principals’ allotments and would not necessarily imply state coaching certification — and then voted to send the policy language and name change to the full board for formal approval.

Next steps: the full board will receive the proposed language recognizing cheer sponsors as coaches (and the corresponding stipend eligibility language) for consideration and final action.