Tensas Parish School Board approves multiple policy revisions, adopts 2026–27 calendar and recognizes Students of the Year

The Tensas Parish School Board on Feb. 12, 2026, approved second readings of several district policy revisions, accepted the January financial report and adopted the 2026–2027 school calendar during a regularly scheduled meeting in St. Joseph.

President John Turner presided over the meeting, which opened at 5:00 p.m.; Vice‑President Esaw Turner led the invocation and Superintendent Joyce M. Russ led the Pledge of Allegiance. The board recorded a quorum with Mrs. Jennifer Burnside, Mrs. Knola Ransome, Mr. George Matthews, Mrs. Annice Miller and Mr. Esaw Turner present; Mr. Joseph Tarver was absent.

On a motion by President John Turner, seconded by Mrs. Annice Miller, the board approved second reading of multiple policy revisions. The items listed for second reading included FILE: BCBB (Notification of school board meetings); FILE: DFM (Sale of surplus materials, equipment and supplies); FILE: DJE (Purchasing); FILE: EBBC (Emergency/crisis management); FILE: GBC (Recruitment); FILE: GBN (Dismissal of employees); FILE: GBRA (Employee conduct); and FILE: JGCF (Behavioral health support for students). The board recorded that the motion passed; the transcript does not include a roll-call vote tally.

The board also received the January financial statement and a budget-to-actual update on a motion by Mr. George Matthews, seconded by Mrs. Knola Ransome. That motion passed; vote counts were not specified in the record. Later, on a motion by Mrs. Annice Miller, seconded by President John Turner, the board approved the 2026–2027 school calendar.

During the meeting the board recognized the district’s 2025–2026 Students of the Year: Aiden Martin (Elementary Student of the Year), Jayla Bass (Junior High Student of the Year) and Kamryn Haywood (High School Student of the Year). Superintendent Joyce M. Russ also made several announcements, including that schools and offices will be closed for President’s Day, teachers will report for professional development on Feb. 17 at Tensas High, students will return Feb. 18, and the TES and THS Black History programs are scheduled for Feb. 19 and Feb. 27, respectively. The agenda also noted upcoming basketball games, including a home game against St. Fredrick on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

With no further business, President John Turner moved to adjourn; the motion, seconded by Mrs. Jennifer Burnside, passed and the meeting was adjourned. The minutes were signed by John Turner, President, and Joyce M. Russ, Superintendent.