Ferriday Concordia Sentinel
July 15, 2026
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF
CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2026
The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Special Session at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Dr, Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 6:00 P. M. The meeting was called to order by Board President Fred Butcher. Following the prayer and pledge, President Butcher declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.
Board members present were Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, Mr. Wayne Wilson, Mr. Nathan Cloessner, and Mr. Fred Butcher. Mrs. Vanessa Houck and Mrs. Lisette Forman were not present.
President Butcher noted that comment cards were available on the table with the agendas. He explained that if anyone wanted to make a comment regarding an action item on the agenda, they should fill out a comment card and bring to the table where the board members were seated and they would be acknowledged when the item they were interested in came up.
Mr. Marsalis stated that he wanted to acknowledge some of the things we have done in the parish this year which are noteworthy.
• Our superintendent, Mrs. Toyua Bachus, was named to the top five finalists in the Superintendent of the Year competition hosted by the Louisiana Department of Education.
• In reading, we are in the 5th percentile in the state.
• In this year’s graduating seniors, 112 of the 198 graduates qualified for TOPS scholarships, a record in the parish.
Upon discussion of the Vidalia Junior High School updating project, Superintendent Bachus presented several quotes for painting the facility. The lowest labor quote submitted was by Curtis Brothers Painting in the amount of $69,000.00. The district will furnish the paint for this project. After discussion, it was decided that after the painting is complete, that selected janitorial personnel would be given the opportunity to work after hours to complete the cleaning process before school starts.
Mr. Tom O’Neal presented a consolidated budget revision for FY 2025/2026. He advised that with a statutory variance requirement not to be in excess of five percent, that overall the system was generally in good shape. He noted that all of the state and federal programs with the exception of Stronger Connections had received and expended more than the original projections. Stronger
Connections received and expended 37.2% more than the original projection. Also noted was that the capital expenditures in the Sales Tax 60% and FHS Project Fund experienced favorable variances. O’Neal noted that on a system wide basis, the receipts and disbursements experienced increases of 7.6% and 4.9% respectively. It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to approve the consolidated budget revision.
President Butcher recommended that a decision on the Central Office building be tabled until we find out what is going to happen with the MFP situation with the State. It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to table the decision on the central office building.
After a detailed discussion concerning the funding loss of state teacher and support personnel stipends, President Butcher recommended that a decision on such be tabled until we find out what is going to be proposed on a state level.
There was discussion on the need for storage facilities for central office files and some furniture. Superintendent Bachus recommended that the current lease we have for the Southern Designs building be extended and to also include the entire back part of the building so we can move files and furniture out of the Weeks building and the portable buildings located there.
Superintendent Bachus announced that 56% of our graduating seniors, or 112 out of 198, are eligible for TOPS Scholarships. This means they have earned access to tuition assistance for college or technical training after high school.
Mrs. Parker reported on the brick memorial fund-raiser that she is heading up for Ferriday High School. The purpose of the fund-raiser is to update the interior of the school.
There being no further business, it was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Marsalis and unanimously carried to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.
7/15 $60