A North Webster High School senior received a $2,000 STEM scholarship from Calumet, and Webster Parish School Board members heard initial plans for a future early childhood center at J.L. Jones Elementary during their regular meeting Monday, June 1.
All board members were present, and all agenda items were approved unanimously.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of a $2,000 STEM Scholarship to North Webster High School senior Logan Cleveland. The scholarship was presented by Lyndon Johnson, community and government relations specialist for Calumet.
“Calumet takes STEM education very seriously,” Johnson said.
Johnson explained that Calumet launched its Calumet Cares STEM grant program three years ago in Caddo, Bossier, and Webster parishes, allowing teachers to apply for funding for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics initiatives.
Last year, the company expanded its efforts by introducing scholarships, awarding four $1,000 scholarships. This year, Calumet increased both the number and value of the awards, providing five scholarships worth $2,000 each.
Johnson said 22 students applied for the scholarships this year. Following what he described as a rigorous application process, five students were selected, including Cleveland, the lone recipient from Webster Parish.
Johnson was joined by representatives from Calumet’s Cotton Valley and Shreveport facilities during the presentation.
During his superintendent’s report, Superintendent Johnny Rowland discussed a proposal that could bring new life to the J.L. Jones Elementary campus following the approved grade reconfiguration scheduled to take effect this fall.
“We would like to house our PreK in Minden — which is about 150 students and a good number of staff members — at J.L. Jones Elementary,” Rowland told board members.
The proposal is expected to come before the board for consideration in the coming months. If approved, prekindergarten students would begin attending classes at the campus during the 2027-28 school year.
The board previously approved the reassignment of J.L. Jones second-grade students to J.A. Phillips Elementary and third-grade students to E.S. Richardson Elementary beginning in August.
The board also recognized several students and employees for outstanding achievements.
Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons recognized Kevin J. Washington Memorial Scholarship recipient Ivion Harris of North Webster High School and honored Melanie Lewing as Employee of the Month and upon her retirement as special education supervisor.
The board further recognized Layla Garrett of Minden High School and Taylor Roberson of North Webster High School for earning associate degrees from Bossier Parish Community College while still enrolled in high school. Bryce Parker of Lakeside Junior/Senior High School was recognized for earning a technical degree from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College while completing his high school studies.
Additional details on those recognitions will appear in separate articles in the Minden Press-Herald.
In other business, the board approved several budget revisions for the 2025-26 fiscal year and approved a new job description for a special education facilitator and speech/language specialist position.
Board members also approved updates to numerous certified and non-certified job descriptions across the district.
The board approved a year-to-year contract with Mechanical Cooling Services LLC for an onsite technician responsible for daily maintenance and repair of HVAC systems throughout Webster Parish schools. The contract is valued at approximately $228,000 annually and will be funded through school and parishwide maintenance funds.
Board members approved the 2027-28 academic calendar, selecting Calendar A, which received 62% of votes during the district’s survey process.
Two construction-related items added to the agenda were also approved. The first was Change Order No. 1 for improvements at Brown Upper Elementary School, including window replacements, metal fascia and soffit installation, cafeteria door and window replacements, and drainage improvements. The change order adds $457,031 to the project and will be funded through the Springhill Building Fund.
The second was Change Order No. 3 for improvements at North Webster High School, including a counter shutter for the issue room, data drop modifications, fencing around McMahen Park, drainage improvements at the tennis courts, and additional contract days due to weather delays. The change order adds $56,126 and will also be funded through the Springhill Building Fund.
The board also approved numerous expenditures for maintenance and improvement projects across district campuses.
During the personnel report, Personnel Director Dr. Rebecca Wilson noted that all current employment openings are posted on the district website.
School Community Liaison Ursula Hullaby reminded board members that the district’s Back to School Bash is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2.
Because of the Independence Day holiday, the next regular meeting of the Webster Parish School Board will be held Tuesday, July 7. The public is welcome to attend.