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Ascension Parish board adopts 2026 millage rates and approves handbook, school reconfiguration
Summary
The Ascension Parish School System board voted to adopt multiple 2026 tax millages, approved updates to the 2026–27 student rights and responsibilities handbook including daily weapon-detection screening procedures and revised dress-code rules, and approved the reconfiguration of Lake Elementary into primary and middle schools.
The Ascension Parish School System Board on June 1 adopted a resolution setting the district's 2026 property tax millages, approved revisions to the 2026'27 student rights and responsibilities handbook, and approved the reconfiguration of Lake Elementary into Lake Primary (K'5) and Lake Middle (6'8).
The board read and adopted a resolution listing multiple millage levies for 2026, including the parishwide constitutional and general-operation levies and several bond and facilities millages. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by M. Murphy and seconded by Willie Robinson; the board carried the resolution by roll-call vote with the members present recorded as voting yes.
The handbook changes were presented by Miss Conway. She said the handbook adds a short-term suspension appeal process for suspensions of fewer than 10 days and adds "an administrative safety screening" to the search policy, describing daily weapon-detection screening and explaining that documentation of a search would be required only for secondary (follow-up) searches. Conway also described an updated acceptable-use and technology policy that addresses cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and dress-code changes requiring transparent backpacks for grades K'2 and mesh backpacks for middle-school grades, with clear water bottles required; exceptions such as instrument cases will be subject to search if necessary. She said disciplinary consequences will apply for noncompliance. The board moved to accept the handbook updates and the motion carried.
On the consent agenda the board approved a reorganization to establish Lake Primary (K'5) and Lake Middle (6'8), effective for the 2026'27 school year, and authorized staff to hire a principal and a secretary for the reconfigured schools.
Votes at a glance - Adoption of 2026 millage rates: motion by M. Murphy, second by Willie Robinson; roll call recorded unanimous yes votes from members present (as read into the record). The resolution text read the specific mill rates for the parish's various school levies. - Adoption of 2026'27 student rights and responsibilities handbook: motion to adopt carried (presenter: Miss Conway). Mover/second not specified in the transcript; board vote recorded as carried. - Approval of Lake Elementary reconfiguration (consent): motion by Mr. Lewis Lambert, second by Mr. Ker; vote carried.
Why it matters The millage adoption determines the property-tax rates the district will place on the assessor roll for collection and funds school operations, salaries, bonds and facilities. Handbook changes affect student discipline procedures, search protocols, and technology use across the district. Reconfiguring Lake Elementary will change school assignments and require administrative hires before the 2026'27 school year.
What's next The administrative officials named in the resolution were authorized to place the millage on the assessor roll and make collections according to law. The handbook and reconfiguration will be implemented for the coming school year as described.
Sources and attribution Comments on the handbook were presented in the meeting by the speaker introduced in the agenda as Miss Conway. The millage resolution was read into the record and adopted by roll-call vote; mover and second for the millage were recorded in the transcript as M. Murphy and Willie Robinson. The reconfiguration was presented by the strategic planning committee and approved on the consent agenda.
