The Jackson Parish School Board unanimously approved a Resolution to adopt the Attorney General’s guidance as its own and directed all schools within its jurisdiction to implement H.B. 71- displaying of the Ten Commandments in each classroom.
The directive was taken at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting held on April 13th, with board members Mary Saulters, Rick Barlow, Paulette Belton, Gerry Mims, Wade McBride, and Dennis Clary, and JPSD Superintendent William Carter in attendance.
Additional items on the stated agenda that were considered and acted on included:
The Board recognized Danielle Copeland, Principal at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School, and Chris Cavin, Principal at Quitman High School, who presented information concerning NIET (National Institute for Excellence in Teaching).
Rick Barlow reported to the Board on the Executive Finance Committee meeting held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton, and carried to approve for payment the following bills: General Fund, Federal Program, School Food Service, Sales Tax, Special Education, and District Maintenance bills.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary, and carried to approve payment to Uniti Fiber in the amount of $27,949.75 to purchase E-Rate Cat 2 equipment for E-Rate Year 2026-2027, to be paid from the General Fund.
A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Rick Barlow, and carried, accepting the low quote of $29,500.00 from VCC Janitorial Supply to purchase three (5) Triple S Scrubbers, to be paid from Parish Wide Maintenance funds. The scrubbers will be used by all five (5) schools.
A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Rick Barlow, and carried, approving the hiring of a Literacy/Numeracy Mentor for grades 6-8 (targeted for CIR schools) to be paid from the 2026-2027 CLSD 3.0 and Redesign funds. This is a one-year position with the option to be renewed for an additional year, dependent on grant funding.
Kristi Bass, Business Manager, presented the Financial Report.
Wade McBride reported to the Board on the meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee.
A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Dennis Clary, and carried, accepting the low quote of $93,702.00 from Fuqua Flooring to refinish the gym floor at Jonesboro Hodge High School, Quitman High School, and Weston High School, to be paid as follows: Jonesboro Hodge District funds $32,630.00, Quitman District funds $29,610.00 and Weston District funds $31,462.00.
Gerry Mims reported to the Board on the Transportation Committee meeting.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried approving out of state travel for Quitman High School Beta members: Evie Hasley, Jana Potts, Will St. Clair, Bethany Webb and Niki St. Clair, Advisor to attend the National BETA Convention, June 16-20, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Policy IFCB – Field Trips and Excursions.
A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Wade McBride and carried approving approving out of state travel for Weston High School Beta members: Molly Beaubouef, Elsie Flynn, Addisyn Garrett, Rainey Gregory, Brianna Moffitt, Allison Morgan, Anna Shows, Abram Toms, Braedyn Turner, Madison Turner and Advisors, Kim Shows and Cyndi Beaubouef to attend the National Beta Convention, June 16-20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the IFCB – Field Trips and Excursions policy.
A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Paulette Belton, and carried approving out of state travel for Quitman High School FBLA members: Emmalynn Foster, Brylee Hasley, Amelia Staggs, Klea Blalock, Sunni Altheimer, Emma Toms, Raegan Bell, Audrina Martin, Katy Cumpton, Charleigh Newton, Lexie Tippen, Colton Powell, Averi Hasley, Addi Faber, Elizabeth Lemken and Advisor/Chaperone Jessica Staggs and Brandie Hasley, to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference, June 27-July 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the IFCB – Field Trips and Excursions policy.
The official minutes of the meeting, that includes the wording on the Resolution that was passed, can be found in the Classifieds section of the Jackson Parish Journal