The Natchitoches Parish School Board rededicated its boardroom in honor of longtime employee Nancy West Harrington during its March 10 meeting, recognizing her decades of service to the district.
Superintendent Grant Eloi said the recognition comes after the boardroom underwent renovations that changed the appearance of the meeting space. During the renovation process, the original plaque honoring Harrington was lost, prompting the district to replace it and formally rededicate the room.
Harrington served the Natchitoches Parish School Board for 31 years as executive secretary to former superintendents Levi Thompson and Michael Whitford. Upon her retirement in 1986, the board voted to name the room in her honor.
Eloi noted that Harrington worked for the district during a challenging period as schools underwent integration and desegregation, describing her role as integral to the administration at the time.
Members of the Harrington family attended the meeting, including her son Rick Harrington, grandson Eddie Harrington and great-granddaughter Alice Harrington.
Rick Harrington spoke about his mother’s life and service, sharing that she was originally from England and met her husband during World War II. During the war, she worked for a school district in England and rode a bicycle roughly five miles daily to the district office while German rocket attacks were occurring across the region.
After moving to the United States, Harrington joined the Natchitoches Parish School Board and became known for assisting employees and community members who visited the superintendent’s office.
Family members said people still approach them decades later to share stories about how Harrington helped them during their time working for or interacting with the school system.
The new plaque reads: “The Nancy West Harrington Boardroom. By vote of the Natchitoches Parish School Board, upon her retirement in 1986, this room was named in honor of Nancy West Harrington, a beloved 31-year employee who served as executive secretary to superintendents Levi Thompson and Michael Whitford.”
In other remarks, Eloi congratulated the Natchitoches Central High School boys basketball team for its season after the team lost in the quarterfinals. He also congratulated the Lakeview High School boys basketball team, which fell in the semifinals earlier in the day.
During the meeting, federal programs officials reported that district federal grants continue to be managed within approved budgets and allowable expenditures. The district has generated more than $120,000 in indirect costs tied to those grants.
Officials also announced that a Title I-funded after-school program recently launched at several schools to provide additional academic support and enrichment opportunities for students.
Early childhood staff reported that pre-kindergarten registration for the 2026–27 school year began this week, with registration events already held at Fairview Alpha Elementary and Provencal Elementary. Additional registration events are scheduled at Marthaville Elementary and L.P. Vaughn Elementary and Middle School.
The district also reported that the Louisiana Department of Education conducted a desk review of its LA4 public pre-kindergarten program in January and found no compliance issues or required corrective actions.
Child nutrition officials reported that snacks are now being provided for after-school programs at Weaver Elementary, Provencal Elementary and Natchitoches Junior High School.
Board members also received a sales tax report showing collections for January were up 4.3 percent compared to the same month last year, an increase of approximately $70,000. Year-to-date collections are about 1.3 percent higher than the previous year.
In other business, the board voted to table discussion of a memorandum of understanding between the school board and Northwestern State University until next month to allow additional time for review.
Board members also approved several updated job descriptions within the district’s business and finance operations.
At the end of the meeting, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss legal strategy related to ongoing litigation involving the Natchitoches Parish School Board and certain insurance underwriters.
