School Board Meetings Summary, December 2025

Zachary Community School Board | District 8

Compiled by Dr. Crystal London, District 8 Board Member

December marked a pivotal point for the board as it closed out the calendar year with major governance, policy, and fiscal discussions. During the December 2nd meetings, the board reviewed budget conditions, reflected on the narrow outcome of the recent tax initiative, examined proposed changes to board structure and committee operations, and addressed multiple policy matters affecting students, staff, and families. The meeting also included important academic updates, recognitions, and planning decisions that will shape the district’s direction in early 2026.

Resources Committee Meeting (December 2, 2025)

Budget & Finance

• Reviewed district budget and financial report

  
  

• Began preliminary discussion on outcomes and next steps following the narrowly failed November tax initiative.

Work Session (December 2, 2025)

Policy & Governance

• Considered revisions to Policy KIA (Political Campaign Materials & Solicitations) following a request from the Zachary Area Foundation; discussion centered on maintaining neutrality during political elections while clarifying solicitation rules at school events.

  
  

• Reviewed proposed student dress code revisions for Copper Mill Elementary, prompted by ongoing enforcement challenges related to skirts for 5th and 6th grade students. Administrators and teachers requested eliminating skirts for those grades, with a February implementation date, while board members considered a short-term bridge period for families.

  
  

• Reviewed a school board training resolution confirming members met LSBA professional development requirements.

  
  

• Previewed 2026 board officer selections.

  
  

• Revisited proposed board meeting structure changes, including moving to two meetings per month and a newly introduced proposal to collapse all standing committees into a Committee of the Whole.

  • Dr. London supported the first- and third-Tuesday meeting schedule as a transparency measure, but dissented from collapsing committees, citing peer district governance norms and the importance of issue-specific committee work.

    
    

• Discussed the November tax initiative results (48%–52% outcome) and potential next steps, including returning to voters with a revised proposal focused solely on teacher compensation.

  
  

• Reviewed a resolution naming the sitting board president as the district’s representative to the local ITEP committee, with discussion of PILOT agreements as a future consideration.

  
  

• Previewed multiple legislative-driven policy updates, including exceptional education, classroom cameras, equal opportunity employment, discipline, restraint, and corporal punishment.

Board Meeting (December 2, 2025)

Governance Discussions & Approvals

• Received the Superintendent’s update, including:

  • Celebration of district and school growth under the final year of accountability model.

  • Key calendar reminders for early dismissal, winter break, and January return.

  • Updates on employee compensation focus, athletic playoffs, appeals scheduling, and the transition of board agendas from BoardDocs to Diligence.

    
    

• Recognized retirees, student achievements, FFA accomplishments, and districtwide Christmas card honors.

  
  

• Approved meeting minutes and the board training resolution.

  
  

• Elected 2026 board officers (Andrew Gaines, President; Dr. Tracy Taylor-Jarrell, Vice President).

  
  

• Voted to approve the new board meeting structure and to collapse standing committees; Dr. London formally dissented to committee collapse and approved two-meeting structure.

  • Approval of corresponding policy language changes reflecting the elimination of standalone committees and alignment with the Committee of the Whole structure. (December 2, 2025)

    
    

• Received a detailed SPS/DPS accountability presentation, highlighting district growth, top rankings in progress measures, and continued subgroup analysis.

  
  

• Approved the student dress code policy change, effective February 2026.

  
  

• Rejected the proposed political campaign materials policy revision.

  
  

• Approval of the ITEP committee resolution, naming the sitting board president as the district’s official representative. (December 2, 2025)

  
  

• Consideration of legislative-driven policy updates recommended by Forethought and Hammonds & Sills:

  • Approved: Policy IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities, due to a pending statutory timeline. (December 2, 2025)

  • Tabled for January discussion: Remaining policy updates, including cameras in special education classrooms, equal employment opportunity (military status), equal educational opportunity, discipline and use of restraint, and corporal punishment. (December 2, 2025)

    
    

• Approval of corresponding policy language changes reflecting the elimination of standalone committees and alignment with the Committee of the Whole structure. (December 2, 2025)

  
  
  
  

December concluded a year marked by growth, difficult decisions, and important conversations about governance, accountability, and community trust. As the board looks ahead to 2026, discussions around compensation, policy clarity, and board structure will continue, informed by community input and district data.

Thank you to everyone who attended meetings, shared perspectives, and remained engaged. For full details or to share questions, feedback, or concerns, visit www.ZCSD8.org or contact me at drcrystallondon@gmail.com.