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St. John the Baptist school board authorizes staffing formula and begins reduction-in-force process amid budget shortfall
Summary
The board voted to allow the superintendent to staff schools under a state-aligned formula and to initiate a reduction-in-force process after trustees discussed falling enrollment and a monthly budget gap; both measures passed after debate over timing, oversight and alternatives.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on March 11 authorized the superintendent to staff schools using a formula aligned with state requirements and voted to initiate a reduction-in-force (RIF) process, after members said the district faces a structural budget shortfall.
The staffing formula authorization, carried on a roll-call vote after discussion, cites state class-ratio guidance under Bulletin 741. Board discussion during the meeting cited the state ratios that administration would use: Grades 6–12, 33 to 1; Grades K–5, 25/26 to 1. The motion to permit staffing via the formula passed (motion by Debra Schum; second Sanders) with eight yea votes, two nays and one member absent.
Trustees then approved a motion to "initiate a Reduction in Force" to begin the procedural steps that could lead to staff reductions. Schum told the board the motion would begin the process and that the district would explore alternatives, including attrition and not filling vacancies. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with nine yeas, one nay and one absent.
The vote followed an extended exchange in which some board members and public commenters asked for additional safeguards. Board member Burl said he could not support the RIF initiation "because we currently don’t have a formula, no CFO, no HR Director and no Purchasing Director" and questioned how the district would determine which teachers were "most effective." Dr. Keller argued the district must reduce expenses, saying, "We will continue to go into a financial hole unless we cut expenses considerably." Public comment urged the board to consider alternatives and to protect certificated teachers where possible.
The board and administration framed the actions as procedural steps rather than immediate layoffs. According to trustees, options to limit personnel impacts include attrition, not filling vacancies and reassignments. The record shows the board authorized the superintendent to pursue the staffing formula and to start the RIF process; no specific layoffs or names were announced at the meeting.
Next steps: the superintendent will follow the authorized staffing formula process and, if necessary, begin the statutory RIF procedures outlined by state guidance. The board did not adopt detailed implementation criteria at the meeting nor did it specify a timeline for individual notices.
