The Natchitoches Parish School Board’s committee met Oct. 6 to discuss several financial, facilities, transportation, enrollment and policy matters that are scheduled to come before the full board for consideration Oct. 13.
During the superintendent’s report, Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi reported that district staff had completed required Department of Children and Family Services training related to child sex trafficking, abuse and mandatory reporting. He said the district had reached 100% participation and that completion was recorded through EdLink.
He also reminded employees that the $21,000 MFP stipend, also referred to as the governor’s stipend, will be paid to employees who are employed with the Natchitoches Parish school system as of Oct. 19. The payment is scheduled to go out Oct. 25. He said the stipend also applies to employees who were newly hired this school year.
The superintendent also said the district would return to its original performance pay structure this year, with the full performance pay amount being distributed in December. He said the district had split the payment into two distributions last year because of concerns about the timing of federal funds.
October was also recognized as Principal Appreciation Month. Eloi said the district has 12 principals and that they would be recognized during the month.
The board also heard about upcoming parent-teacher conferences during fall break. Eloi said schools had been instructed to encourage all parents to attend conferences, regardless of whether their children were performing well or experiencing difficulties. Conferences will be held Thursday and Friday, with Thursday including evening hours and Friday ending at noon.
The board also received financial reports showing August sales tax collections of approximately $2.218 million, an increase of about $300,000 from the previous year. The district was nearly 10% above its budgeted income after two months of the fiscal year, according to the report.
A new general fund revenue, expense and budget report was also presented. The report covered July and will be updated monthly, with the district planning to remain approximately one month behind in reporting.
The committee discussed the possibility of receiving similar reports for each school’s building renewal expenditure, or BRE, funds. Board members requested current information showing revenues, expenditures and balances for the BRE accounts.
The transportation department reported that two new bus drivers had been hired, with two additional applicants waiting to test. The department also planned to use fall break to assess routes, make adjustments, address potential overcrowding, complete repairs and conduct training.
The facilities department reported 218 open work orders during the month, with 172 completed. The department also addressed safety assessments, slip-and-fall hazards, electrical work and exterior lighting.
A leak at Fairview Alpha was repaired, and exterior doors were painted at Lakeview. The department also reported that repairs to the roof over the cafeteria had eliminated a major leak.
The committee discussed signage and a possible protective structure near an awning used by buses, as well as obtaining quotes for a fence along a main road. A $1,000 donation to Magnolia Central was also discussed. The donation is intended to help provide an awning for students who use the car line.
The committee then moved into finance and facilities matters.
The committee discussed a proposed change order for the Marthaville Baseball Field. The change involves installation of an exterior electrical disconnect required by the parish before an electrical permit can be obtained. The cost was discussed as approximately $1,600.
The committee also discussed permission to advertise for bids on Project 2601, additions and alterations to Provencal Elementary Junior High School. The project is being combined into one bid rather than being separated into multiple projects, with work to be completed in phases around the school schedule.
The proposed project includes adding bathrooms, air conditioning and a new roof. The district expects the project could be advertised for bids around November, with construction potentially beginning in January or February.
During the executive report, Eloi provided an update on the district’s October 1 MFP count. He explained that the Oct. 1 figure is actually a snapshot that can be corrected through Oct. 28, with another count conducted Feb. 1.
As of the previous week, the district had 4,412 MFP students, compared with 4,604 at the same point last year, representing a 4.2% reduction. Overall enrollment was down 4.5%, according to the report.
Eloi said the decline was less than the district had projected in its budget. The number of students with disabilities increased by 0.7%, while the number of gifted and talented students increased by 2.5%.
The district also reported a decrease in average absences per student, from 3.1 days in 2025 to 2.4 days.
The committee discussed 14 policies recommended for legislative updates. Board members were encouraged to review the policies before the scheduled vote.
Two policies concerning corporal punishment also received extensive discussion. The proposed changes would prohibit the administration of corporal punishment by parents, legal guardians or other individuals on school property, in school buildings, on school buses or at school-sponsored activities and functions.
District officials said the proposed changes were prompted by concerns about liability and the potential conflict between allowing corporal punishment on school property and the district’s mandatory reporting requirements for suspected child abuse.
Board members discussed the circumstances in which parents could be called to school to address student behavior and the distinction between discussing discipline with a child and administering corporal punishment on school property.
The committee also discussed making information about the district’s policy available to parents so they would understand the limitations regarding corporal punishment on school property.
The items discussed during the Oct. 6 committee meeting are scheduled to come before the Natchitoches Parish School Board for consideration and votes at its Oct. 13 meeting.