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Tensas Parish School Board approves minutes, advances multiple policy revisions in first reading and reviews finances
Summary
The Tensas Parish School Board approved July minutes, advanced several policy revisions on first reading prompted by legislative changes, received the June financial report, closed an inactive bank account and heard operational updates from Superintendent Joyce M. Russ including enrollment, staffing needs and career-program participation.
The Tensas Parish School Board, presided over by President John L. Turner, met Aug. 14, 2025, at the Tensas Parish Material Center in St. Joseph and approved the minutes from its July 10 meeting and advanced several policy revisions on first reading.
The board approved the July minutes on a motion by George Matthews, seconded by Knola Ransome. Separately, on a motion by Annice Miller, seconded by Matthews, the board approved the first reading of multiple policy updates reflecting recent legislative changes. The set of FILE revisions taken up included: DJE (Purchasing); IFA (Instructional Materials); IFBGA (Computer and Internet Use); JBD (Student Absences and Excuses); JCDAF (Bullying and Hazing); JDE (Expulsion); JGCE (Child Abuse); and JGCF (Behavioral Health Support for Students). The board recorded that the motions passed.
The board also received the district's June financial statement and a budget-to-actual update on a motion by Matthews, seconded by Annice Miller; the motion carried. In a separate motion, the board approved closing an inactive account at Sabine State Bank; that motion was offered by Miller and seconded by Ransome and passed.
Superintendent Joyce M. Russ provided operational updates. She reported enrollment is steady, noting 151 students have shown up at both schools for a total reported enrollment of 302. The district is seeking a high school science teacher. Russ also said students have completed nine school days so far; school board financial disclosures are due Sept. 15 for members with immediate-family employees (the board reported none). She said 15 students (four juniors and 11 seniors) will begin Vo-tech welding next Monday and that 33 students are enrolled in dual-enrollment classes through ULM.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from July 10, 2025: motion by George Matthews, seconded by Knola Ransome — approved. - First reading of policy revisions (FILE: DJE; IFA; IFBGA; JBD; JCDAF; JDE; JGCE; JGCF): motion by Annice Miller, seconded by George Matthews — approved (first reading). - Receipt of June financial statement and budget-to-actual update: motion by George Matthews, seconded by Annice Miller — approved. - Closing inactive account at Sabine State Bank: motion by Annice Miller, seconded by Knola Ransome — approved.
With no further business, President Turner moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Annice Miller and the meeting was adjourned. The minutes were signed by John Turner, President, and Joyce M. Russ, Superintendent.
