The Natchitoches Parish School Board held its committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, with district leaders reporting on student attendance gains, new veteran benefits programs, transportation updates, and other key initiatives. The board will reconvene on Monday, Sept. 15, to vote on items discussed during the committee session.
Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi highlighted several achievements, including successful junior high and high school football jamborees. He also reminded members that the 2025-26 budget will be presented for adoption at the September board meeting.
Attendance improvements were a major focus, with state reports showing districtwide absences dropping from 14.2 per student last year to 10 per student this year, putting Natchitoches Parish 1.6 days below the state average. Lakeview High School recorded the largest gains, reducing average absences from more than 14 to fewer than 10 days per student.
Natchitoches Central and Lakeview High Schools are now approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under Chapter 35, Dependents’ Education Assistance. The program opens doors for students facing financial challenges during the transition to college.
During the transportation report it was explained that the school year began with all bus routes covered, although seven routes are currently being handled by substitute drivers. Newly hired and in-training drivers are expected to reduce reliance on substitutes, and a new dispatcher will begin Sept. 8.
Overcrowding issues have largely been addressed, with ongoing review at LP Vaughn.
Board members discussed potential staggered school start times to improve efficiency and maximize driver coverage. Staffing levels are stabilizing as special education staffing remains a focus, with coverage needed for teachers on maternity leave and additional paraprofessionals.
In Federal Programs, the district will also use Title IV funds to support ACT retesting, safe school initiatives, social-emotional learning, and technology integration. The new “Satchel Pulse” tool will monitor student well-being three times per year, offering teachers resources to support social-emotional development.
The district reported a 7.45% decrease in parishwide sales tax collections for August compared to last year, though year-to-date collections remain up 6.32%. City collections increased by 19%, while surrounding areas saw declines. Officials discussed the rejection of a recent agricultural lease bid due to irregularities and proposed revisions to agricultural and hunting leases, including shorter terms, updated insurance requirements, and provisions ensuring oil and gas rights take precedence. A committee will meet with legal counsel Sept. 5 to review these changes ahead of the Sept. 15 board meeting.
Updates to the employee policy handbook were presented, covering bus misconduct, unauthorized leave, annual and personal leave accrual, grievance procedures, and conduct expectations. Key changes include clearer definitions of unauthorized leave and job abandonment, a cap on annual leave payouts for 12-month employees, and explicit procedures for disciplining tenured teachers, including charge letters and hearings. Officials emphasized that the revisions align with state law and standard district practices.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, with a committee session on Friday, Sept. 5, available for members to review proposed lease revisions.
