Candidates for the Webster Parish School Board shared their views on student achievement, school funding, teacher retention, discipline, and other issues facing the district in responses to a Minden Press-Herald questionnaire.
Eleven candidates representing six School Board districts responded, offering perspectives on the challenges facing Webster Parish Schools and their priorities if elected.
District 3
Patricia McMurray
Patricia McMurray focused on academic performance, expressing concern about the number of Webster Parish schools identified as needing intervention.
She said improving student achievement should be a leading priority and advocated additional tutoring, early intervention, and stronger parental involvement.
McMurray also emphasized the importance of recruiting and retaining qualified educators. Among the possibilities she identified were signing bonuses and other incentives to make Webster Parish more competitive when attracting teachers.
She said schools must maintain appropriate discipline and provide safe environments where students can learn and teachers can work effectively.
McMurray also stressed responsible management of taxpayer dollars and the need to direct resources toward programs that produce meaningful improvements in student achievement.
Elizabeth Simmons
Elizabeth Simmons identified declining enrollment and the departure of families from Webster Parish Schools as significant concerns, emphasizing the importance of understanding why families are choosing other educational options.
She said improving student achievement requires strong academic instruction, effective discipline policies, and an environment where teachers can concentrate on teaching.
Simmons also emphasized teacher recruitment and retention, saying the district must create working conditions that encourage qualified educators to remain in Webster Parish.
She advocated greater communication with parents and community members, along with careful consideration of how district resources are distributed.
Simmons said the School Board must address the concerns affecting families and employees while making decisions that will strengthen public confidence in the school system.
District 5
Yolanda Shaw Palmer
Yolanda Shaw Palmer, a retired educator with 37½ years of experience, identified declining enrollment and its impact on state funding as a major concern for Webster Parish Schools. She said the district must give families compelling reasons to choose public schools over other educational options.
Palmer emphasized strengthening partnerships between schools and families to improve student achievement. She also advocated supporting teachers and staff through professional development, recognition, and positive working environments.
“Retention is about more than funding,” Palmer said. “Employees also need to feel valued, respected, supported, and provided with opportunities to grow professionally.”
Regarding finances, Palmer stressed the importance of understanding restrictions on federal, state, and local funding while prioritizing student needs and maintaining transparency with taxpayers.
She also emphasized that School Board members should provide oversight and listen to constituents without interfering in the administrative responsibilities of superintendents and principals.
A lifelong Webster Parish resident and graduate of its public schools, Palmer served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and director of federal programs. She said she hopes to bring that experience to District 5 while remaining approachable and responsive to community concerns.
Ricky Thomas
Ricky Thomas emphasized academic achievement, competitive employee compensation, and responsible oversight of district facilities and construction projects.
He said improving educational outcomes must remain central to the board’s work, along with providing teachers and staff with the support necessary to succeed.
Thomas also addressed the financial challenges associated with operating schools across the parish, including the costs of maintaining facilities and considering possible consolidation.
He emphasized the importance of evaluating both the educational and financial consequences of major decisions before taking action.
Thomas said School Board members must exercise careful oversight of construction spending and other district expenditures while balancing the needs of individual communities with those of the parish as a whole.
Michael Wilkes
Michael Wilkes identified parental involvement, employee morale, and financial responsibility as important issues facing Webster Parish Schools.
He said parents must be active partners in their children’s education and that stronger relationships between families and schools can help improve student performance.
Wilkes also emphasized the need to support teachers and other school employees, recognizing the importance of workplace morale in retaining experienced personnel.
Regarding district finances, he advocated reviewing spending carefully and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Wilkes said the board should evaluate programs and expenditures to determine whether they are producing results and make adjustments when necessary.
He also emphasized communication with residents and making decisions based on the needs of students and schools throughout the parish.
District 7
Terry Combs
Terry Combs identified student attendance as a major concern, emphasizing that students cannot benefit fully from classroom instruction when they are frequently absent.
He advocated identifying the circumstances that prevent students from attending school regularly and working with families to address those barriers.
Combs also emphasized recruiting and retaining qualified employees. Among the compensation measures discussed in his responses were retention payments and a $500 stipend.
He said the district must recognize the importance of its teachers and support staff and take meaningful steps to encourage them to remain in Webster Parish.
Combs also proposed quarterly meetings as a way to strengthen communication with parents, employees and residents.
He said School Board members should remain accessible and responsive to concerns from the communities they represent.
District 8
“Miss Chris” Broussard
“Miss Chris” Broussard identified school funding, literacy, and the need for broader educational opportunities as important issues facing the district.
She emphasized strengthening reading instruction and ensuring students develop the foundational skills necessary for success in later grades.
Broussard also advocated maintaining opportunities in the arts, recognizing their importance in providing students with a well-rounded education.
Among the instructional approaches she discussed was looping, in which students remain with the same teacher for more than one school year to provide greater continuity.
She also suggested studying the possibility of shared-campus arrangements as the district considers how to use its facilities and resources effectively.
Broussard emphasized examining different approaches to instruction and school organization while keeping student needs at the center of decisions.
Heather Feeback
Heather Feeback emphasized transparency, accountability, and stronger foundational academic skills.
She said students need a solid foundation in reading, writing, and mathematics, and that the district must identify learning difficulties early enough to provide effective intervention.
Feeback also stressed the importance of listening to educators when developing policies that affect classrooms.
One of her proposals was establishing a Teacher Advisory Council to provide a more direct avenue for teachers to communicate concerns and recommendations to district leadership.
She said employees should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting their work and their students.
Feeback also advocated responsible spending and greater transparency so parents and taxpayers can understand the reasoning behind School Board decisions.
District 9
Belinda Neloms Evans
Belinda Neloms Evans identified poverty, mental health concerns, and academic achievement among the challenges affecting Webster Parish students.
She emphasized the importance of recognizing circumstances outside the classroom that can influence students’ ability to learn and succeed.
Evans advocated strengthening academic instruction in the early grades, when students are developing the skills that will support their future education.
She also stressed the need for appropriate student support services and cooperation among schools, families and community organizations.
Regarding district management, Evans emphasized School Board oversight and responsible allocation of resources.
She said decisions should reflect the needs of students across the parish, including those facing economic and other barriers to academic success.
District 11
Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper emphasized teacher recruitment and retention, parental involvement, and the importance of maintaining safe, effective learning environments.
He identified competitive salaries and appropriate support for employees as important factors in attracting and keeping qualified educators.
Cooper also stressed the role of parents in student achievement and the need for stronger communication between families and schools.
He addressed the importance of maintaining district facilities and making responsible decisions about improvements and expenditures.
Regarding discipline, Cooper emphasized following established policies and the appropriate chain of command when addressing problems.
He said the board should support administrators and employees while ensuring policies are applied fairly and consistently.
Tamara Tanner
Tamara Tanner identified the district’s upcoming leadership transition as an important opportunity to establish priorities, strengthen academic performance, and support teachers and staff.
She emphasized returning to the fundamentals of reading, writing, and mathematics, identifying struggling students early and improving attendance.
Tanner also advocated competitive employee compensation, stronger relationships with colleges and universities to recruit educators, and a workplace where employees feel valued and heard.
Regarding district finances, she stressed prioritizing classroom needs, making responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and allocating resources according to the individual needs of each school.
“Fair does not always mean equal — one school may have needs that another school does not,” Tanner wrote.
Tanner cited her experience in banking, the legal field, and public service as preparation for serving on the board. She emphasized open communication, consistent discipline, and working cooperatively with other board members to make decisions in students’ best interests.
A pivotal election for Webster Parish Schools
Although the candidates offered different proposals, their responses reflected several common priorities, particularly improving student achievement, supporting educators, maintaining safe schools, and using district resources responsibly.
Voters will have an opportunity to weigh those approaches in the November 3 election.