The Webster Parish School Board (WPSB) held its regular meeting on October 3, focusing on budget-saving measures, health plan decisions, and routine business.
Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons presented the Employee of the Month awards for September and October to Melisa Adkins, a special education teacher at Central Elementary, and Laura Hardy, a custodian at Doyline High School. Detailed nomination letters will be shared in a future Minden Press-Herald article.
The board’s most significant discussion revolved around the approval of 2025 MedGap health insurance plans. Facing a budget deficit of over $1 million, Finance Director Crevonne Odom recommended the Silver Plan Employee Only option, which would save the district approximately $107,000 annually. Health insurance rates had risen 6.65% across various plans, including the Magnolia Local Plus.
“If we don’t start making steps to save money and bring our deficit back, we will have to look at reducing the number of employees,” Odom warned. Salaries and benefits represent the largest expense for the district, and Odom stressed the need to address this cost to prevent potential staffing cuts.
While the board considered several plan options, including the Gold Plan Employee Only, which would have saved around $9,000 per year, and the Silver Plan 100%, which would have cost an additional $140,000 annually, Odom’s recommendation aimed to balance savings with employee benefits. The Silver Plan Employee Only option introduces a $2,000 deductible for individuals and a $4,000 deductible for families, with the district contributing $1,000 (individual) or $2,000 (family) into Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) to offset deductible costs. These funds will roll over annually until they reach their limit, and many employees already have enough in their accounts to cover a full year’s deductible.
Although several board members expressed concerns about moving away from a no-deductible option for employees, the board ultimately approved the Silver Plan Employee Only in an 8-4 vote. Those opposed were Margaret Edens (Dist. 1), Debbie Thomas (Dist. 2), Jonathan Guthrie (Dist. 4), and Jana Watson (Dist. 6). Under this plan, the district will continue to fund 100% of the employee’s health insurance, but the cost of dependent coverage will shift to the employee.
The finance department is preparing to distribute detailed information about the new plan to employees, explaining how the HRAs will function and providing guidance on the deductible changes.
Other agenda items included the approval of field trips, professional development opportunities, and maintenance fund expenditures. The board also authorized a study for planning a new parking lot at Doyline High School.
Toward the end of the meeting, the board entered an executive session to discuss a lawsuit brought on behalf of Tarcus Hawthorne, Jr., a North Webster High School student who died in August of 2023 after a seizure. Upon returning from session, the board unanimously voted to follow their attorney’s recommendations.
Superintendent Johnny Rowland introduced the idea of purchasing an acre of land adjacent to Brown Upper Elementary. This land would create a safer route for walking students. No action was taken at this time.
Schools will be closed on November 5 for Election Day. The Webster Parish School Board will meet next on November 4 at the school board offices. The public is welcome to attend.