The Jackson Parish School Board held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on November 3rd in the Conference Room of the Jackson Parish School District Central Office, located at 315 Pershing Hwy. in Jonesboro.
Below is a summary of the actions taken by board members Gerry Mims, Mary Saulters, Rick Barlow, Paulette Belton, Wade McBride, Dennis Clary and Calvin Waggoner.
A motion was made by Mary Saulters seconded by Wade McBride and carried to approve the minutes from the Regular Scheduled meetings held on October 6, 2025.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve the 2025 Jackson Parish Annual Safe Schools Report (Act 334).
A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to approve the 2025-2026 Pupil Progression Plan revision.
Mary Saulters reported to the Board on the meeting of the Executive Finance Committee held prior to the Board meeting
A motion was made by Calvin Waggoner, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to approve for payment the following bills: General Fund, Federal Program, School Food Service, Sales Tax, Special Education, District Maintenance bills.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving payment to RedBall Oxygen in the amount of $14,484.00 for the purchase of four (4) new welding machines to be used at Jonesboro Hodge High School, to be paid from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund grant.
A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Wade McBride and carried approving to pay Employer’s Share of Office of Group Benefits insurance premiums from General Fund for the December 2025 sales tax distribution.
A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Calvin Waggoner and carried granting Superintendent Carter permission to sign the State of Louisiana Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Act 461 in the amount of $50,000 for restroom facilities at Weston High School, for and on behalf of the Jackson Parish School Board.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried granting Superintendent Carter permission to sign the State of Louisiana Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Act 461 in the amount of $150,000.00 ($75,000.00 Jonesboro Hodge District funds and $75,000.00 Quitman District funds) for operations and enhancement of the facilities at Jonesboro Hodge High School, Jonesboro Hodge Middle School, Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School, and Quitman High School, for and on behalf of the Jackson Parish School Board.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried rescinding the motion made on September 15, 2025: A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried approving the hiring of a contract Speech Therapist (not to exceed 20 hours per week) at a rate of $95.00 per hour and a Facilitator (Sub Pay), to be paid out of General Fund.
A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried approving the hiring of Speech Therapists through a vendor agreement and/or individual staff contract at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School, Jonesboro Hodge High School, Jonesboro Hodge Middle School (one therapist previously served all Jonesboro schools) and Weston High School at a cost of $90.00 per hour, to be paid from General Fund. The two (2) positions will not exceed a total of $143,000.00 annually.
A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving two (2) Facilitators to assist with virtual Speech Therapy at Jonesboro Hodge High School, Jonesboro Hodge Middle School, Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School and Weston High School at sub rate, to be paid from General Fund.
Kristi Bass, Business Manager presented the Financial Report.
Wade McBride reported to the Board on the meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried accepting quote of $19,294.90 (State Contract) from ProVision Security to install cameras at Weston High School, to be paid from the 2025-2026 LCSS School Safety Grant.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Calvin Waggoner and carried to accept low quote of $48,200.00 from Dodson Enterprises, Inc for material and labor for the Weston High School Baseball and Softball Fields restrooms, to be paid from Weston District funds.
Rick Barlow reported to the Board on the meeting of the Transportation Committee held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving out of state travel for Jonesboro Hodge High School Band and Trey Porchay, to travel to the Kranksgiving Battle of the Bands in Little Rock, Ark. on November 22, 2025. Expenses to be paid by Jonesboro Hodge High School Band.
Paulette Belton reported to the Board on the meeting of the Policy Committee held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried approving to revise the following policies:
• DJD – Travel Expense Reimbursement
• JD – Discipline
• JDA – Corporal Punishment
• GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment
• JAA – Equal Education Opportunity
• IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities
The next meeting of the Jackson Parish School Board is scheduled for December 1, 2025.