Bernice Banner-News
October 29, 2026
Public Notice
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
UNION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
October 19, 2026
The Union Parish School Board held a Regular Board Meeting at the Union Parish School Board Central Office in Farmerville, Louisiana, on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:05 p.m.
President Barkley called the meeting to order, and Mr. Bennett gave the invocation.
President Barkley called for a roll call to establish a quorum. Board Members attending were as follows:
Present: Mrs. Dixson, Mr. Reeves, Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Mabry, Mrs. Barkley, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Stewart, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Neal
Absent:
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Mr. Reeves, the Board approved amending the agenda to add Item C under X. Additional Business. The Board may enter into Executive Session to discuss allegations of prior misconduct pursuant to LA. R. S. 42:17.A and any board action deemed necessary following such executive session. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Dixson, seconded by Mr. Bennett, the Board adopted the amended agenda. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Dixson, seconded by Mrs. Evans, the Board approved the public hearing and regular board minutes. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mr. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Reeves, the Board approved the Sales Tax Collections, SEFA Schedule for September 2026 and financial statements. The Board also received Payroll and Master Fund bank recons and bank statements.
There was no opposition.
On motion by Mr. Reeves, seconded by Ms. Collins, the Board granted approval of the Proposed Budgets for Fund 246 (EC Curr IDEA), Fund 247 (EC SOR IDEA), and Fund 366 (CSP Supplemental - DCCS). There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Dixon, seconded by Ms. Collins, the Board granted approval of Budget Amendments #1 (Funds 11 IDEA, 12 IDEA Preschool, Fund 282 SWD Transition DIF, and 311 IDEA 611 Set Aside). There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Mrs. Neal, the Board approved travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 3-7, 2027 to attend SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association) , paid for with the LA4 Early Childhood Grant. There was no opposition.
There was no opposition.
On motion by Ms. Collins, seconded by Mrs. Neal, the Board tabled the Title/Job Description Accountability and Data Manager Supervisor update with a $11,000 supplement. The motion passed by a vote of 8 to 1, with Mr. Reeves voting nay.
Board discussed E-Rate WAN and internet access RFP release. Information only regarding contract expiring June 30, 2027, and RFP release following October meeting. No motion required.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Mr. Bennett, the Board granted approval to score accepted RFP bid responses on WAN and award the bid to the winner starting July 1, 2027. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Mr. Reeves, the Board granted approval to contract with the awarded bid winner starting July 1, 2027. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Ms. Collins, the Board granted approval to start construction of restrooms on the visitor side of the football field with Eason Manufacturing, LLC, at the end of the school year. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mr. Reeves, seconded by Mrs. Neal, to approve distributing $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for support positions according to the Governor's Mandate on October 30, 2026, pending LDOE approval.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Mrs. Neal, to approve the distribution of $2,000 for Certificated and $1,000 for Non-Certificated positions from the General Fund on October 30, 2026.
On motion by Mrs. Mabry, seconded by Ms. Collins, the Board granted permission to complete the survey prior to the October 30, 2026 deadline. There was no opposition.
On motion by Mr. Bennett, seconded by Mrs. Mabry, to adopt a resolution authorizing the exchange of Lot 43 for Lot 38, superseding the June 25, 2026 action, and authorizing execution.
Mrs. Barkley explained the land swap and Section 16 School Land. Section 16 School Land cannot be sold but can be exchanged for property of equal value.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Dixson and a second by Ms. Collins, the Board voted to grant final approval to the following policies after a second viewing:
** 2026-2027 Pupil Progression Plan
** 2026-2027 Procurement Handbook
** 2026-2027 Code of Conduct
On motion by Ms. Collins, seconded by Mrs. Neal, to grant final approval to School Board Committee Policy, File: BBC (Second Viewing).
On motion by Ms. Collins, seconded by Mrs. Mabry, the Board approved the following policies at their second viewing:
(SEE CHART BELOW)
The Board reviewed the Personnel Report.
Mrs. Karen Ray shared her Superintendent's Report. Mrs. Ray highlighted student & school activities, community relations and partnerships, professional development, academic initiatives, and governance. The Superintendent provided an attendance update since hiring the Attendance Improvement Specialist through a new grant.
Mrs. Shirley Burch, a Union Parish High School teacher, spoke on the retention bonus. Mrs. Burch felt it was distasteful that the Board excluded non-certified teachers, even though they were retained and responsible for the same duties as certified teachers.
On motion by Mrs. Stewart, seconded by Mrs. Reeves, the Board entered into Executive Session to Discuss Allegations of prior misconduct pursuant to LA. R. S. 42:17(A) and any board action deemed necessary following such executive session.
On motion by Mrs. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Reeves, the Board exited Executive Session.
Madam President moved to authorize the superintendent to proceed as she recommended in executive session. Motion made by Mrs. Dixon and seconded by Mrs. Neal.
The Board set a Regular Board Meeting for Monday, November 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned on this 19th day of October, 2026. There was no opposition.
Karen Ray, Superintendent
Union Parish School Board
Shannon Barkley, President
Union Parish School Board
run 10/29/26