The Webster Parish School Board officially canvassed the results of the June 27 special election during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 7, formally declaring the defeat of a proposed 1% parishwide sales tax while discussing the district’s financial outlook following recent state actions.
Board member Robyn Guthrie of District 4 was absent. All agenda items were approved unanimously.
Before the regular meeting, the Webster Parish School Board Educational Facilities Improvement District met to certify the results of the June 27 election. Board members unanimously approved a resolution declaring the proposition defeated after 2,847 voters opposed the tax while 1,210 supported it, a margin of 1,637 votes.
The proposed 20-year, 1% sales and use tax would have generated an estimated $4.08 million annually to provide additional funding for the parish’s public schools.
During the finance meeting preceding the regular meeting, Finance Director Crevonne Odom presented the district’s proposed 2026 tax millage rates and the 2026-27 salary schedules.
Odom said the district expects to collect approximately $17.2 million through its maintenance and bonded debt millages. She also reviewed the remaining years on existing bonded indebtedness: 14 years each for the Minden and Springhill districts, six years for Doyline, and two years each for Sarepta and Shongaloo.
Board members also discussed the financial impact of an executive order issued by Governor Jeff Landry providing stipends for certain education employees after voters rejected proposed Amendment 3 earlier this year.
Superintendent Johnny Rowland expressed concern that school districts may be required to absorb the cost of the stipends without receiving sufficient additional state funding.
“We’re robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Rowland said. “You’re taking money out of operating expenses to pay these.”
He added that districts also could lose a significant amount of funding through the state’s Minimum Foundation Program.
“With this executive order, where you’re looking at losing maybe up to 1.5 from the MFP, that’s huge,” Rowland said.
The board adopted the 2026 millage rates and approved the 2026-27 salary schedules.
Board members also approved a resolution canvassing the results of a separate June 27 election authorizing the rededication of a special tax in Consolidated School District No. 3.
Additionally, the board announced it intends to consider calling another special election during its August 3 meeting to seek voter approval for rededicating an existing ad valorem tax in Consolidated School District No. 3.
Rowland said district officials plan to provide voters with more detailed information about how the tax revenues would be used.
“I feel we need to change tactics and try our best to be more specific,” Rowland said. “When they know exactly what that means and what it will do, I feel strongly that it’ll be a different result.”
He emphasized that the proposal would involve the rededication of an existing tax rather than creating a new one and said one intended use would be funding school resource officers.
The board approved revisions to several special education job descriptions to align with current professional terminology, qualifications, and discipline-specific standards.
Board members also approved numerous maintenance expenditures for campuses throughout Webster Parish.
A planned recognition of A-HEC students from Minden High School and North Webster High School was tabled for a future meeting.
Personnel Director Dr. Rebecca Wilson reported that the district is seeking to fill 12 teaching positions and five paraprofessional positions before the start of the school year.
Superintendent Rowland reminded the board that the 18th Annual Back to School Bash is scheduled for August 2.
During his superintendent’s report, Rowland announced several administrative changes. Tayama Shine will move from Webster Junior High to become assistant principal at Lakeside Junior/Senior High School. Ashanti Cooper will become principal of Brown Upper Elementary, and Anthony Kennedy will move from assistant principal to principal at Webster Junior High.
The board entered executive session to discuss the lawsuit styled Jeanette Underwood on behalf of her minor child, Kylen Underwood vs. Webster Parish School Board before returning to open session and voting to follow the recommendation of its attorney.
Before adjournment, Rowland reminded board members that “We have some big decisions ahead of us.”
Students will return to school August 10. The Webster Parish School Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 3, and is open to the public.