The Natchitoches Parish School Board voted unanimously to adopt the district’s 2025–26 budget during its Sept. 15 meeting. The adoption followed months of preparation and review to ensure the spending plan met state requirements and aligned with the district’s instructional and operational priorities.
Board members approved the budget after a roll call vote, with each member present supporting the measure. Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi and district staff noted the budget reflects a balance between fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of students and employees.
As part of the meeting, the board considered multiple updates to employee leave policies to bring the district in line with practices across Louisiana.
A key change caps the payout of unused annual leave for 12-month employees at 20 days upon separation, whether through resignation, retirement, or termination. Previously, employees could cash out all accrued annual leave, a practice officials said made Natchitoches Parish one of the only districts in the state without a limit.
To offset the change, employees will now be “front loaded” with 10 annual leave days on July 1 each year, replacing the old system of monthly accrual. Staff may carry up to 50 days of annual leave, though only 20 will be paid out when they leave the district. Employees may also take up to 25 annual days in a single year, with an option to appeal to the superintendent for emergencies.
Eloi explained that some employees have accumulated 70 to 100 days of leave, and while they may keep that balance, only 20 days will be eligible for payout. He said the change was made to be fiscally conservative and responsible while still allowing flexibility for employees.
Board members questioned how the front-loading would work if an employee left midyear. Eloi said the shift was unlikely to create problems, as most 12-month employees take only a handful of annual leave days each year and typically roll over time rather than using large amounts.
The leave policy revisions were approved following a roll call vote.
In other administrative business, the board approved updates to policies on absences from work and general complaints and grievances based on recommendations from legal counsel.
The board also adopted revisions to its policy on member behavior, a change recommended by auditors to ensure the district had an ethics policy in place that aligns with state law and applies to board members and employees.
Another matter, updates to the district’s inventory policy, was tabled until October because supporting documents were not yet available.
The meeting concluded with discussion of the Assembly app, a new digital tool that will provide board members with access to agendas and policy documents. District staff will undergo training before rolling the system out to board members, who were told the app should make documents easier to read while also being more economical.