Avoyelles Parish School Board conducts April meeting, addresses key operations

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, at the School Board Office in Marksville, with all members present.

The meeting opened with an invocation by Dexter Compton and the Pledge of Allegiance led by board member Keith Lacombe. The Board approved minutes from its March meetings and unanimously adopted revisions to certain agenda items.

Two resolutions of respect were adopted in honor of retired educators Rose Marie Scallan Roy and Maxine Carolyn Burrs.

Superintendent Karen Tutor and staff recognized Students of the Month and Teachers of the Month from across the parish. District-level Students of the Year were also announced, along with recognition of the Marksville High School basketball team for its state championship.

During information items, Marcus Guillory with Delta Engineering provided an update on the Avoyelles Community Education Center project. Board President Aimee Dupuy also addressed the timeline for advertising the parish’s sales tax renewal, noting that the measure is a continuation of an existing tax.

Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, reported March 2026 collections totaling $849,821.04, including revenues from the parish’s 1 percent tax, 0.25 percent tax, and building and maintenance fund. A year-to-date financial report and monthly maintenance expenditures were also presented.

The Board reviewed numerous personnel changes, including retirements, resignations, transfers, and renewals of administrator contracts across multiple schools.

Consent agenda items were approved unanimously. These included:

• Curriculum purchases
• Contract renewals
• Technology services
• Food service budget revisions
• Permission to advertise facility redesign projects
• Purchase of five used school buses for $525,000

During discussion, the Board noted that all future school buses purchased will be air conditioned, and that many existing buses will be retrofitted with air conditioning.

Among action items, the Board approved the hiring of four instructional coaches using a combination of state, federal, and local funding sources. The measure passed on a 6–3 vote. The Board also approved new job descriptions for a Data Coordinator and a Federal Programs/Curriculum Supervisor, each by a 6–3 vote.

Additional approvals included a part-time mechanic position, revisions to a food service warehouse technician role, and renewal of software and service contracts. The Board also approved an amendment to an investment agreement related to Education Excellence Funds and adopted the 2026 Needs Assessment Plans.

Other actions included:

• Amending a lease with the Village of Hessmer to allow event-related revenue for facility improvements
• Awarding a summer meal program contract
• Approving bids and advertisements for maintenance and forestry projects

The Board concluded the meeting after approving the replacement of the Central Office front door with an electronically secured entry system.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.