School Board Meetings Summary, January 2026

Zachary Community School Board | District 8

Compiled by Dr. Crystal London, District 8 Board Member

January marked the first full month operating under the school board’s new two-meeting structure, allowing for deeper discussion and clearer follow-through on key district matters. Across the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Board Meeting, the board reviewed financial health, advanced policy discussions, examined election results, and took action on items that will shape planning and decision-making moving into the spring. The summary below highlights the major topics discussed and actions taken across both January meetings.

Finance, Budget, & Audit

• Received the monthly financial report reviewing budgeted versus actual revenues and expenditures for the school year across the Capital Projects Fund and the Debt Service Fund. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

  • Reviewed Capital Projects Fund expenditures, including renewal of annual contracts (e.g., ZeroEyes and Evolv security systems) and infrastructure-related costs already encumbered through open purchase orders, including roofing projects across the district. (January 6, 2026)

    
    

  • Reviewed the Debt Service Fund, noting interest payments made in September toward outstanding bonds and reporting fees, with a principal and interest payment anticipated in March. The balance decreased from approximately $1.9 million at the beginning of 2025 to approximately $1.5 million at the beginning of 2026. (January 6, 2026)

    
    

• Received the 2024–2025 fiscal audit presentation from EisnerAmper and the Business Manager. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• The district received an unmodified audit opinion with no findings. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• Major programs reviewed included the Child Nutrition Program and other programs meeting the $750,000 audit threshold, noting that the threshold for identifying programs for review will move to $1 million on a three-year rotating basis. (January 20, 2026)

Policies & Governance

• Re-reviewed policy items tabled from December, including:

  • Cameras in special education classrooms

  • Equal Opportunity Employment

  • Equal Educational Opportunity

  • Discipline and corporal punishment (January 6, 2026)

    
    

• Discussed policy updates related to:

  • Adding military status to employment and educational opportunity policies

  • Clarifying use of restraint

  • Replacing the term “delinquent students” with “persistent disruptions”

  • Placement and use of cameras in special education classrooms (January 6, 2026)

    
    

• Discussed Policy IDDFC (Cameras in Special Education Classrooms), including requests for clarification on definitions of special education settings and the board’s role in verifying camera operation; legal counsel confirmed verification responsibilities may be delegated while remaining compliant with law. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• Approved remaining policy items after standalone review. (January 20, 2026)

Academic Calendar

• Reviewed the proposed 2026–2027 academic calendar, noting the primary change is the replacement of one remote learning day with a non-instructional election day in November. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Adopted the 2026–2027 academic calendar following standalone discussion. (January 20, 2026)

Tax Proposition & Election Results

• Reviewed a notice of consideration for action related to a revised tax proposition focused solely on teacher compensation, with infrastructure and technology components removed. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Noted that canvassing of election results would occur at the regular board meeting. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Adopted a resolution to canvass election returns, reviewing results by precinct and ward and discussing how future messaging efforts may be informed by voting patterns. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

Technology, Transparency, & Future Planning

• Received an informational update on the transition of meeting agendas and materials from BoardDocs to the Diligent platform, highlighting improved public access and usability. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Discussed initiating district policy work related to artificial intelligence, with legal counsel identifying Ouachita Parish and St. Helena Parish as exemplar districts. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Discussed the need for a districtwide policy audit, including a plan to review policies letter by letter. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

Facilities & District Events

• Discussed a potential property purchase from the United Methodist Church, located directly in front of the high school, with a proposed purchase price of $96,000, matching the assessed value. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

• Received updates on the upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring Dr. Gaynell Young at Pride Port Hudson. (January 6, 2026)

  
  

Recognitions & Board Actions

• Recognized the retirement of Karen Collins. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• Recognized Dr. Crystal London as a Certified School Board Member for the 2025 year. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• Motion made to remove all items from the consent agenda and consider them as standalone items, including policies and the academic calendar, in the interest of transparency. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

• Noted there were no student expulsion appeals. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

Looking Ahead

• Discussed agenda items for upcoming meetings, including:

  • Intern recognition and upcoming presentations

  • Presentation of a school board policy audit plan at the February Committee of the Whole

  • Continued discussion of AI policy development

  • Recognition of student and educator achievements during conference season

  • Continued discussion regarding the potential land purchase (January 20, 2026)

    
    

• Confirmed upcoming meetings: February 3 (Committee of the Whole) and February 10 (Regular Board Meeting), and noted the Dr. Gaynell Young ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for February 10 at 4:30 p.m. (January 20, 2026)

  
  

Together, the January meetings reflect a continued focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and thoughtful governance. As discussions move forward into February, several items—including policy development, district planning, and community engagement—will return for continued review and action. Community members are encouraged to stay informed, review meeting materials, and participate in upcoming meetings as the board continues its work on behalf of students, staff, and families.

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.