Acadia Parish School Board sees $2.55 million general‑fund shortfall; discusses Chromebook disposal and sends several items to full board

The Acadia Parish School Board heard a final review of the 2026–27 budget and was told the district faces a projected $2,550,428 deficit in the "true general fund," finance staff said. The board also discussed how to dispose of expired Chromebooks bought with federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars and approved a slate of routine motions including approval of minutes and sending policy and pay items to the full board.

Justin, a member of the district finance staff, walked the board through a color-coded handout showing projected revenues and expenditures. He said next year’s projected general fund revenue is $90,840,231, down from $91,193,752 this year, and described several cost drivers: a governor‑mandated stipend and related benefits, a proposed 5% health insurance increase and changes in retirement rates. "Overall, we're looking at a projected deficit next year of $2,550,428 in the true general fund," Justin said.

Justin flagged the mandate and related benefit increases as the principal contributors to the shortfall. He identified the stipend package as roughly $1,800,000 for the stipend supplement, $28,850 for Medicare, $307,850 for TRSL (teacher retirement), and about $15,200 for school employees — figures staff provided as components of the increased expenditures. He also said a 5% health insurance rise will cost the general fund about $451,000 while a TRSL rate change (from 20.95% to 19.11%, as presented) produces an estimated $667,000 savings in the fund.

Board members pressed staff for clarification about how the mandate percentage was calculated. A board member asked whether the mandate figure was 1.9%; Justin said that when all employees are included the effective rate rises to about 2.4 percent.

Board members also asked about expired Chromebooks that were originally purchased with federal ESSER funds. Justin said the district is waiting for written guidance from the federal office handling the grant (referred to in the meeting as "Mister Cook's office") on legal disposal options. "The funding makes a difference on how you can dispose of the assets," Justin said, adding that items bought with federal dollars have different disposal rules than those purchased with state or local funds.

On revenues, Justin reported June collections were down 12.9% but the fiscal year closed up 9.33% in sales tax collections overall; he said online sales were a major driver of the revenue increase and projected roughly a 4% continued increase in sales tax receipts.

Separately, the board handled several procedural items. The board approved the minutes from the June 2, 2026 regular session and the June 16, 2026 committee meeting by voice vote. The board adopted a Louisiana compliance questionnaire resolution, canvassed and declared the results of a June 27, 2026 school board election, and approved sending the proposed 2026–27 salary booklet and several revised policies to the full board for final approval. A recommendation to raise field‑trip pay to $80 with $20 for each additional stop was discussed and sent to the full board. The board also moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters and returned to announce the superintendent received a "very, very good" evaluation before adjourning.

The meeting ended with the superintendent thanking the board for the positive evaluation and saying she would continue to work to move the district forward. The board did not take a final adoption vote on the full 2026–27 budget during the session; staff will return with any required follow‑up once federal guidance on equipment disposal and any remaining clarifications are received.