Commissioners advance $10,000 amendment to back-to-school pilot for Volunteers of America

Commissioner Thomas moved and the commission advanced an amendment to Ordinance 66-38 to appropriate $10,000 to Volunteers of America for a pilot providing school supplies to students. Thomas said the coalition — including Chase Bank, VOA and the City of Shreveport — aims "to ensure that every student, all 680 at Booker t Washington High School, arrived on the 1st day of school with a backpack containing every item on their required school supply list." The motion was seconded and the item will be advanced to the next agenda for formal introduction.

Several commissioners pressed for details on partner contributions, vetting and how Title I funding would interact with the pilot. Thomas told the commission the working estimate was $100 per student (680 students → $68,000) and that bulk purchasing and donated backpacks brought the parish's incremental need down to about $27,000. He said Chase provided "70 backpacks and a contribution of $500" and that VOA supplied roughly 100 backpacks and a limited financial contribution because of timing. Commissioner Craig supported advancing the item but asked that partner contributions be disclosed before final adoption.

Commissioners also discussed distribution logistics and equity: Thomas described plans to pack backpacks on campus at Booker T. Washington and to account for each registered student, while others urged coordination with school administrators to identify students in greatest need. The commission's action was procedural advancement of the amended ordinance; final adoption will occur on a later agenda after additional vetting and public hearing.