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Tensas Parish School Board votes to eliminate Tensas High School football program
Summary
At its April 10 meeting in St. Joseph, the Tensas Parish School Board voted 3–2 (two members absent) to eliminate the football program at Tensas High School after hearing public comments; the transcript did not specify implementation timing or further operational details.
The Tensas Parish School Board voted on April 10 to eliminate the football program at Tensas High School. The motion was made by President John L. Turner and seconded by Mrs. Jennifer Burnside; a roll-call vote recorded Burnside as yes, Mr. George Matthews no, Turner yes, Mr. Joseph Tarver no and Mr. Esaw Turner yes, with Mrs. Knola Ransome and Mrs. Annice Miller absent. The motion passed by a 3–2 margin with two absences.
The board heard comments and concerns from public commenters Brittanee Gibson, Desmond Ford and Rob Webb before the vote. The transcript records that the board “heard comments and concerns” but does not provide verbatim remarks or detail the specific objections raised by those speakers.
The transcript does not specify when the elimination would take effect, whether current athletes or coaches would be reassigned, nor whether any transitional support or alternatives were discussed. Board members who voted against the motion were recorded as opposing but their reasons were not provided in the meeting text.
The elimination took place amid other agenda business. The board previously approved routine items, including acceptance of a bid for the NES football field and fieldhouse; Superintendent Joyce M. Russ announced upcoming testing dates, the athletic banquet and plans to advertise for a high school principal and certified teachers. The transcript did not record a subsequent vote or formal direction laying out implementation steps for the football program’s removal.
The board meeting was held at the Tensas Parish Material Center in St. Joseph. The meeting record is signed by President John L. Turner and Superintendent Joyce M. Russ.
