The Webster Parish School Board unanimously approved all agenda items during its regular meeting Monday, May 4, with major action centering on a multimillion-dollar construction contract for Griffith Park, the repurposing of J.L. Jones Elementary School, and concerns raised over proposed state Amendment 3.
Board member Margaret Edens of District 1 was absent.
The board meeting opened with recognition of May Employee of the Month Rendi Dillard, a teacher at Lakeside Junior/Senior High School, presented by Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons. Details of that recognition will appear in a separate article.
The board’s first major business item was approval of the low bid for Job No. 2025-14, additions and alterations to Griffith Park in Minden, awarding the project to D & L of Ouachita Inc. in the amount of $3,440,000.
Perry Watson of Yeager, Watson and Associates recommended approval, telling board members the bid came in under the target budget of $3.6 million.
When asked about the selected contractor, Watson said, “We’re confident and satisfied that they’ll do a good job.”
Board members also approved the repurposing of J.L. Jones Elementary School into a district-level multipurpose facility, effective August 2026.
Under the plan, second-grade students currently attending J.L. Jones will be reassigned to J.A. Phillips Elementary School, while third-grade students will move to E.S. Richardson Elementary School.
District officials previously explained the grade reconfiguration is being made in response to changes in the state accountability model, which would place J.L. Jones at a severe disadvantage due to its current second- and third-grade-only configuration.
The board next approved multiple budget revisions presented by Finance Director Crevonne Odom, with the exception of Carl Perkins funds.
“We will present that in June along with the general funds and some of the other funds that we have,” Odom told the board.
Board members also ratified electrical conduit installation work for the Minden High School multipurpose building at a cost of $12,874.25, to be paid from the Minden Building Fund.
Numerous items consisting of repair and improvement expenditures across Webster Parish campuses using district maintenance funds, were also approved unanimously.
The board approved a request for three Lakeside Junior/Senior High School FBLA students and their sponsor to attend FBLA Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, June 26 through July 3. The trip will be funded through donations and fundraisers.
Under informational items, the board was advised of several upcoming student incentive and educational trips, including visits to Victory Park splash pad, Holiday Lanes, Barksdale Air Force Base, the Shreveport Aquarium, the Springhill Library, and Sci-Port Discovery Center.
In the personnel report, board members were informed that 41 teachers are retiring this year.
The School Community Liaison report included a reminder that the current week is Teacher Appreciation Week.
During his superintendent’s report, Superintendent Johnny Rowland addressed proposed state Amendment 3, which he said has been promoted as a way to provide permanent raises for teachers and support staff.
Rowland explained that the proposal would eventually reduce school districts’ payments into the state teachers retirement system from nearly 40% to approximately 14%, with lawmakers suggesting districts use those savings to fund mandated salary increases.
However, Rowland cautioned that districts would simultaneously lose other funding streams, leaving school systems unable to absorb the long-term costs.
“If they hold us to that next year … that would bankrupt so many districts, not just Webster, that would bankrupt a lot of districts,” Rowland said. “We’re not in a position to sustain three or four million dollars.”
The proposed constitutional amendment is on the ballot for the May 16 election.
The next regular meeting of the Webster Parish School Board will be held Monday, June 1. The public is welcome to attend.