The Natchitoches Parish School Board met on July 8, opening with a report from Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi, who shared significant academic progress across the district. Highlighting recent LEAP data, Dr. Eloi credited the district’s gains to the dedicated work of educators and the board’s strategic policies, including the implementation of master teachers and performance-based compensation.
Dr. Eloi emphasized the need to continue focusing on strong internal processes and acknowledged the board’s role in enabling district-wide improvement. He also introduced Ms. Ramona Winder as the new interim Human Resources Director, noting her strong support from the community.
Business Manager Lee Waskom followed with an update on sales tax revenue, reporting collections of $1,729,000 for the most recent period. This reflects a $5,000 increase from the previous month and an 8.5% rise since December 1. Staff received their July sales tax checks early, with a 9% average increase.
The board approved several finance and service items, including bids for paper, cleaning products, food services, and milk. It granted permission to advertise for E-Rate Category One bids and approved an early childhood grant and resolution. A memorandum of understanding with Northwestern State University was renewed, maintaining dual enrollment courses for students at no cost through Supplemental Course Allocation (SCA) funds, despite a $10 increase per credit hour.
Discussion then shifted to the 2025–2026 Alternative Program Handbook. NPSB Director of Operations Felicia Pinkney presented updates, including the integration of social-emotional learning and clarified transition procedures between schools. Board members expressed strong support for expanding access to suicide prevention and mental health training, particularly in response to national trends affecting minority communities. The handbook also introduces a new student tracking form to monitor progress and ensure smoother re-entry into home campuses after time in the alternative program.
Due to ongoing revisions, including contributions from Crystal Davis and pending meetings with outside agencies, the board voted to table the handbook for further discussion in August. Board members requested a dedicated session to review the behavioral methods and intervention strategies outlined in the plan before final approval.
The meeting also included early discussion of a pilot behavioral program for students in kindergarten through second grade. Designed as a therapeutic initiative rather than a punitive one, the program would provide intensive behavioral support for students exhibiting serious issues such as aggression or antisocial behavior. Placement in the program would follow six weeks of attempted interventions at the student’s home school and would be reserved for only a few students during the pilot phase.
Students in the pilot program would not be placed with older students and would be supported by specially trained staff. The district is actively seeking a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to lead the effort, focusing on behavioral development rather than academic instruction during the intervention period. The goal is to help young students build foundational skills that will improve their long-term educational trajectory while reducing classroom disruptions for others.
Board members stressed the importance of clear communication with the public about the progress being made. They encouraged the administration to develop a one-page summary of the district’s academic achievements for release through local media, citing a need to better inform the community about what the gains mean in practical terms.
The board closed the meeting with a reminder that a public notice had been read into the record regarding an upcoming agenda item. At its August 12 meeting, the board will consider calling an election in Consolidated School District No. 11 to authorize a general obligation bond issue. Members also reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and ongoing improvements in student support, with plans to revisit both the Alternative Program Handbook and behavioral pilot initiative in the next month.
