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Tensas Parish School Board approves policy updates, 2026 calendar; superintendent announces schedules
Summary
At its Dec. 11 meeting in St. Joseph, the Tensas Parish School Board approved minutes, several policy revisions on second reading, the November financial report and its 2026 meeting calendar; Superintendent Joyce M. Russ announced athletic schedules, Polar Express field trips and the holiday break.
The Tensas Parish School Board met Dec. 11 at the Tensas Parish Material Center in St. Joseph and approved several routine items, including minutes from Nov. 14, policy revisions on second reading, the November financial statement and the board’s 2026 meeting calendar.
President John L. Turner called the meeting to order. Mr. Esaw Turner led the invocation and Superintendent Joyce M. Russ led the Pledge of Allegiance. The board, which had a quorum, recorded Mrs. Knola Ransome, Mr. Joseph Tarver, Mrs. Annice Miller and Mr. Esaw Turner as present; Mrs. Jennifer Burnside and Mr. George Matthews were listed as absent.
On a motion by Mrs. Annice Miller, seconded by Mrs. Knola Ransome, the board approved the minutes of the Nov. 14, 2025, regular meeting. Later, on a motion by President John L. Turner, seconded by Mr. Joseph Tarver, the board approved the second reading of several policy revisions, including FILE: GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment); FILE: IDDF (Education of Students with Exceptionalities); FILE: IDDFC (Special Education audio/video recording); FILE: JAA (Equal Education Opportunities); FILE: JD (Discipline); and FILE: JDA (Corporal Punishment). The board recorded the motions as passed; the transcript notes "Motion passed" without a roll-call tally.
The board approved the November financial statement and a budget-to-actual update on a motion by Mr. Turner, seconded by Mrs. Miller. The board also approved its 2026 meeting dates — Jan. 15; Feb. 13; March 12; April 9; May 14; June 11; July 9; Aug. 13; Sept. 10; Oct. 8; Nov. 12; and Dec. 10 — on a motion by Mrs. Ransome, seconded by Mr. Turner.
Superintendent Joyce M. Russ provided routine announcements about upcoming athletic contests and student field trips. She said the school will play Madison the following night, will travel to Franklin Parish the next Monday for a game and expects to participate in the Rayville tournament the following week. She also said TES Lower Hall students will travel to Monroe on Tuesday for the Polar Express field trip and the Upper Hall will travel on Wednesday for the same trip. "I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I look forward to working with everyone in 2026," Russ said. She noted the last day of the semester is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19, with early dismissal and that students return Jan. 5, with travel to Mangam for basketball that day.
With no further business, the board adjourned after a motion from Mr. Joseph Tarver, seconded by Mrs. Annice Miller. The minutes were signed by John Turner, president, and Joyce M. Russ, superintendent.
