Ruston Daily Leader (Jackson Parish Notices)
October 9, 2026
The Jackson Parish School Board met in a regular scheduled meeting at 11:00 a.m. on October 5, 2026 at Jackson Parish School Board, 315 Pershing Highway, Jonesboro, Louisiana.
The following were present for roll call: Mary Saulters, Rick Barlow, Dennis Clary, Wade McBride, Gerry Mims and Paulette Belton
Absent: Calvin Waggoner
Dennis Clary gave the Invocation.
Paulette Belton led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was called to order by Mary Saulters.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Gerry Mims and carried to approve the minutes from the Regular Scheduled meetings held on September 14, 2026.
Motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Wade McBride and carried to make the following announcement:
Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Monday, November 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at its regular meeting place, the Jackson Parish School Board Office, 315 Pershing Hwy., Jonesboro, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Consolidated School District No. 1 of the Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana to authorize the levy of an ad valorem tax therein.
A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Gerry Mims and carried to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office for five (5) School Resource Officers at a cost of $220,000.00, to be paid from General Fund.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to approve the 2026-2027 Pupil Progression Plan.
The Board recognized Justin Dodson from the Jackson Parish Recreation Department who spoke about the use of school facilities for Recreation Basketball.
A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried to nominate Dr. Robin Potts as Interim Superintendent while Superintendent Carter is on Administrative Leave until the issue is resolved.
Rick Barlow reported to the Board on the meeting of the Executive Finance Committee held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve for payment the following bills: General Fund, Federal Program, School Food Service, Sales Tax, Special Education and District Maintenance bills.
A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving payment of $32,049.00 to Air Reading for High Dosage Tutoring at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School, to be paid from High Dosage Tutoring grant. Air Reading is a sole source provider.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Gerry Mims and carried approving the declaring the following items at Weston High School Ag department as surplus:
· Tag #200 – 15" Planer
· Tag #225 – Lathe Machine
· Tag #199 – Bender
· Tag #226 – Welding Rod Oven
These items are no longer usable and will be disposed of by taking them to a scrap yard.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving a part-time hourly contract for Kristi Bass to provide training support to the Business Department at a cost of $52.98 per hour (not to exceed 45 hours) plus mileage at the state rate to be paid out of General Fund. This contract will end December 18, 2026.
A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried approving the purchase of curriculum (Frog Street) for three (3) and four (4) year olds at Union Bee Head Start at a cost of $12,426.70 to be paid from EC PDG Consolidated Grant fund. Frog Street is a sole source provider.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried approving the purchase of an online program to assist with data collection and IEP writing for students with disabilities from GoalBook at a cost of $11,475.00 to be paid from General Fund. Goalbook is a sole source provider.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried approving adopting the resolution granting Bonnie Buckelew permission to sign the State of Louisiana Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Act 461 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session in the amount of $150,000.00 for Acquisition, Equipment and Operating Expenses for materials and supplies, as well as labor costs to renovate and enhance the facilities at Jonesboro Hodge High School, Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School and Quitman High School) for and on behalf of the Jackson Parish School Board to finalize the 2025-2026 CEA invoices.
A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to give Bonnie Buckelew permission to contact the State of La. Legislators to request a change in the wording of HB 312, Act 961 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session in the amount of $200,000.00 to (Acquisition, Equipment and Operating Expenses for materials and supplies, as well as labor costs to renovate and enhance the facilities at Jonesboro Hodge High School, Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School and Quitman High School.)
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried approving a part-time hourly contract for a Speech Therapist at $65.00 per hour not to exceed 8 hours per week, to be paid from General Fund.
A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried approving to acquire two (2) Wal-Mart Pay by Invoice-Trevipay card for Central Office and Special Education Department use with the Business Manager being card holder (with guidelines attached).
Jennifer Colvin, Business Manager presented the Financial Report.
Wade McBride reported to the Board on the meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee held prior to the Board meeting.
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried accepting low bid of $13,300.00 for Hot2Cold Heating, AC & Electrical for the three (3) ton Lennox Mini Split for Support Building and 3rd & 4th Grade building hallways at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School, to be paid from Jonesboro Hodge District funds.
A discussion was held regarding the request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana concerning the use of school facilities. The board agreed to form a committee to negotiate a policy for Use of School facilities.
A discussion was held regarding the request from Jackson Parish Recreation Department concerning the use of school facilities. The board agreed to form a committee to negotiate a policy for Use of School facilities.
A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to accept low bid of $177,000.00 from Albritton Service Company for lighting and electrical upgrades at Weston High School Baseball and Softball fields, to be paid from Weston District funds (CEA Act 3 of 2026 RLS).
A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to adjourn at 11:25 a.m.
President
Secretary
Published in the Ruston Daily Leader; $72.00 on Oct 9, 2026.