The Natchitoches Parish School Board approved a $1,218,861.60 stipend proposal for employees during its Sept. 8 board meeting.
The payment will be made as a single payment on Oct. 26 to all employees who received the stipend last year and are actively employed as of Oct. 19, 2026. The stipend amounts will be either $2,000 or $1,000, depending on the employee, and are gross amounts before taxes and other deductions.
The board also approved a proclamation recognizing Sept. 12 as Emma Robinson Williams Day. Williams was a longtime educator in Natchitoches Parish and would have turned 100 years old on that date. The request was made by her family to recognize her work and contributions.
The board approved items A through H on the executive report, most of which involved updates to the school board’s policy manual.
Discuss and consider updates to NPSB Facility Usage Agreement.
Discuss and consider adoption of NPSB Policy, Protection of Criminal Background Information.
Discuss and consider adoption of NPSB CHRI Policy.
Discuss and consider approval of 26-27 Pupil Progression Plan.
Discuss and consider NPSB Wellness Policy.
Discuss and consider NPSB Behavior Health Policy.
Discuss and consider revised NPSB Code of Conduct Student Handbook.
Discuss and consider NPSB Family Engagement Plan.
Regarding the facility usage agreement, the superintendent said the updated information and process will be presented to principals at the Sept. 15 principal meeting. The district is also working on an online application process that would have the principal approve the use of a facility before the request reaches the district office.
During informational reports, federal programs staff reported that grant applications that were under review at the time of the previous report have since been accepted with minor comments to be addressed during the next amendment.
A question was raised about students arriving late to school because of bus delays and missing breakfast. School offices should notify the cafeteria when a bus is running late so staff can hold breakfast or prepare quicker items for the students.
Collections for the first month of the new fiscal year were 3.1% above the same month of the prior year.
The board adjourned following the meeting.