School Board Meetings Summary, February 2026

Zachary Community School Board | District 8

Compiled by Dr. Crystal London, District 8 Board Member

February’s meetings focused on finances, policy updates, recruitment and retention, governance matters, and student recognition. Across the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Board Meeting, the board reviewed district finances, considered updates to multiple policy files, discussed compensation and staffing strategies, recognized student achievement, and heard presentations from student interns. The summary below highlights the major discussions and actions from both February meetings.

Finance, Budget, & Operations

• Received the monthly financial report, noting the district was at approximately 98% of budgeted ad valorem tax collections, over budget in sales tax collections for the prior six months, and on budget in support services expenditures. (February 3, 2026)

• Discussed a proposed tuition and registration increase for Zachary Early Learning Center (ZELC), raising tuition for paying students from $450 to $550 and the registration fee from $60 to $75 for the 2026–2027 school year, with the goal of better aligning fees to actual program costs while remaining below comparable market rates. (February 3, 2026)

• Considered the possible purchase of one acre of land in front of Zachary High School for $96,000, matching the appraised value. Discussion included questions about the appraisal source, available district funds, and whether pursuing the purchase while discussing teacher pay could create mixed messaging in the community. (February 3, 2026)

• Authorized advertising for sealed bids for food service items and approved extending the current food services bid for fridge and dry goods for one additional year with existing providers. (February 10, 2026)

Recruitment, Retention, & Compensation

• Received an updated recruitment and retention plan presentation focused on strengthening training and development, employee referral incentives, alternative certification pathways, competitive compensation and benefits, support for employee physical and mental well-being, job-embedded professional development, work-life balance, and vesting continuity. (February 3, 2026)

• Revisited the recruitment and retention strategy alongside broader discussions of teacher compensation and district staffing needs. (February 10, 2026)

• Approved a resolution ordering and calling an election to return a revised teacher compensation proposition to the ballot. (February 10, 2026)

Policies & Governance

• Received a proposed update on the district policy audit process, including a full list of policies in the district’s CAPS system and discussion of whether the audit should be completed over multiple years or on a shorter timeline. The board tabled the discussion so that more members could participate in a fuller conversation at the next meeting. (February 3, 2026)

• Continued discussion of the district’s artificial intelligence policy development process, noting the need to begin building guardrails for the use of AI technology. (February 3, 2026)

• Reviewed multiple policy updates, including:

  • Expense reimbursement language to align meal reimbursement and incidental expenses with current GSA per diem rates, Louisiana travel policy, and IRS guidance. (February 3, 2026)

  • Meeting notification language removing the requirement to notify the Commissioner of Administration in a specific format and timeframe. (February 3, 2026)

  • Sale of surplus equipment and supplies, allowing the district to sell, trade, or use buyback programs for aging student computing devices and to reinvest proceeds into technology resources after securely erasing data. (February 3, 2026)

  • Purchasing policy updates prohibiting the district from contracting with vendors suspended or debarred in SAM for federally funded goods or services, with verification responsibilities assigned to the superintendent and business manager. (February 3, 2026)

  • Emergency crisis management updates requiring submission of updated school blueprints and mapping data to relevant safety and law enforcement agencies, with mapping data collected and stored in the United States. (February 3, 2026)

  • Teacher recruitment policy updates expanding criminal history review language to include individuals listed on the DCFS State Central Registry. (February 3, 2026)

  • Dismissal and employee conduct policies updating procedures related to Central Registry findings and notification expectations. (February 3, 2026)

  • Behavioral health supports for students updates clarifying that the district may offer mental health screenings at no cost to families, notify parents of results, and make referrals for support, while prohibiting screening results from being used to determine instruction, academic opportunities, or discipline. (February 3, 2026)

• Above policies approved in following regular meeting. (February 10, 2026)

• Continued discussion of AI policy development, including plans to identify a working group to move that process forward. (February 10, 2026)

Superintendent Contract & Leadership

• Scheduled discussion of extending the superintendent’s current employment contract by two years was tabled so that more board members could be present. (February 3, 2026)

• Voted to extend the superintendent’s contract for up to two additional years, with no changes to the contract terms. (February 10, 2026)

Recognitions, Celebrations, & Superintendent Updates

• Recognized students who scored 30 or higher on the ACT, including Kate Cornelius and Amara Nwabueze, who earned perfect scores. (February 10, 2026)

• Received superintendent updates related to the Dr. Gaynell C. Young dedication ceremony and the renaming of Pride Port Hudson in her honor. (February 10, 2026)

• Received an update on the district’s participation in LEAPfrog, an effort to evaluate operational efficiency and identify improvements. (February 10, 2026)

• Dr. London greeted attendees with Happy Black History Month and highlighted district efforts to recognize local Black history makers and embed Black history learning into broader school and district activities. (February 10, 2026)

Student Voice & Intern Presentations

• Heard a presentation from intern Jimmie McKnight on the district’s telecommunications policy (File JCDAE), focusing on policy impacts, equitable enforcement, and restrictions related to use during long trips and similar circumstances. (February 10, 2026)

• Heard a presentation from intern Khaliyah Claiborne on the district’s discipline policy, with particular attention to the fighting policy, the definition and consequences of self-defense, and recommendations for greater use of restorative practices in place of solely exclusionary discipline. (February 10, 2026)

• Both interns presented research findings, community perspectives, and recommendations related to their policy topics. (February 10, 2026)

• Intern Phoebe Fannin later presented in a smaller roundtable format on the district’s virtual programs, including recommendations related to monitoring effectiveness, updating policy, and strengthening accountability systems. (February 2026)

Board Actions & Looking Ahead

• Approved minutes from the Committee of the Whole and Regular Board Meeting. (February 10, 2026)

• Removed items from the consent agenda for separate consideration. (February 10, 2026)

• Noted that there were no student expulsion appeals. (February 10, 2026)

• Requested a future academic presentation to address district growth as well as ongoing strategies to narrow student subgroup outcome gaps in an increasingly diverse district. (February 10, 2026)

  
  

Together, February’s meetings reflected continued attention to district finances, staffing, policy modernization, and long-term planning. The month also highlighted student achievement, student voice, and the importance of aligning governance decisions with both district needs and community expectations. As the board moves into March, several of these conversations—including compensation, academic outcomes, and policy development—will continue to shape the district’s direction.

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.