Board clarifies reduction‑in‑force policy after emotional public testimony from uncertified teachers

The St. Landry Parish School Board on July 1 approved revisions to policy GBN8 governing reductions in force and acknowledged that the superintendent may implement necessary personnel reductions arising from school closures and budget pressures.

The policy revisions were presented by the board’s legal counsel as updates intended to close gaps between existing local policy and state law and to clarify the process the district will use if staff reductions are needed. Counsel said the current GBN8 language had not been substantially updated since 2012 and that the proposed edits would help prevent litigation risk by specifying procedures and permissible considerations.

Why it matters: The meeting took place as the district moves forward with a package of school closures and reconfigurations. Staff reductions tied to closing or reconfiguring schools were a central concern for employees and community members.

Public testimony: Gabrielle Chapman, who identified herself as an educator and a recently graduated college student working as an uncertified teacher in St. Landry Parish, made a lengthy public comment describing her classroom impact and asking the board to weigh performance and student outcomes rather than relying solely on certification status when staffing decisions are made. "Think about the uncertified teachers who have held classrooms together during shortages...Please, when making decisions, look at performance. Look at impact, not just credentials," Chapman said.

Board discussion: Members debated whether policy should include explicit tie-breaker criteria (seniority, certification, tenure) or leave broader discretion to the superintendent to consider additional individual factors (medical leave, unique campus needs, certifications across grade bands). Some trustees urged more parameters to ensure fairness; others favored discretion to avoid rigid, potentially unfair outcomes in edge cases.

Outcome and next steps: The board approved the GBN8 revisions by voice vote and separately acknowledged, as an informational item, that the superintendent may implement reductions in personnel as necessary to address budget and operational needs. The board requested that HR and the superintendent provide clearer guidance on how criteria will be applied and asked for reconciled staffing and projected savings figures.

What to watch for: Staff and board follow-up reports on teacher counts, section numbers, and reconciled savings estimates; any specific RIF letters or formal implementation steps from the superintendent will be key milestones.