School Board Meetings Summary, July-September 2025

Zachary Community School Board | District 8

Compiled by Dr. Crystal London, District 8 Board Member

July through September marked a pivotal period for the board as the district prepared for the new school year and addressed emerging policy, budget, and governance priorities. During these months, the board approved budget revisions and salary-related actions, reviewed and adopted multiple legislative policy updates, and engaged in ongoing community conversations around taxation, transparency, and student safety. This summary highlights the key discussions, decisions, and recognitions from board and committee meetings during this period.

Resources Committee Meeting

Budget & Finance

• Previewed action items for the board meeting including insurance decisions, budget revisions, and the audit engagement letter. (July 15, 2025)

• Reviewed the 2024–2025 budget with attention to income categories including ad valorem taxes and online sales. (August 5, 2025)

• Confirmed that 10% of employees moved to the high-deductible health insurance plan, resulting in an estimated savings of $200,000–$300,000. (September 3, 2025)

Work Session

Policy & Governance

• Discussed renaming Port Hudson Academy after Dr. Gaynell Young. (July 15, 2025)

• Received update on employee insurance use and discussed incentives for high-deductible plans. (July 15, 2025)

• Reviewed the finalized 2025–2030 strategic plan. (July 15, 2025)

• Heard concerns from the community about the vague language in the new tax proposal. (July 15, 2025)

• Discussed narrowing the proposal’s use and adding a public-facing policy. (July 15, 2025)

• General Counsel discussion: Board was told only Hammonds & Sills was being considered. Board members pushed back, asking for transparency and options. (August 5, 2025)

• Board learning: Dr. London and Dr. Jarrell shared insights from a regional leadership conference. (August 5, 2025)

• Discussed adding Hammonds & Sills as full-time legal counsel. (September 3, 2025)

• Reviewed the tax plan and salary schedule for stipends. (September 3, 2025)

• Talked about updates to key policies on discipline and crisis response. (September 3, 2025)

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Board Meeting

Budget Hearing & Approvals

• Approved the 2025–2030 strategic plan. (July 2025)

• Approved budget revision for the 2024–2025 school year. (July 2025)

• Approved the Louisiana compliance questionnaire and audit engagement letter. (July 2025)

• Reduced district tax millage rate from 27 to 24 mills. (July 2025)

• Increased secondary lunch prices from $2.60 to $2.90. (July 2025)

• Approved 2025–2026 pupil progression policy. (September 2025)

• Approved updated job descriptions for child nutrition, maintenance, school support, and VI teacher roles. (July 2025)

• Adopted the strategic tax priorities plan. (September 2025)

• Adopted the salary schedule for the state appropriated stipend. (September 2025)

• Voted to reject uninsured motorist coverage. (September 2025)

• Rejected policies (EBBC, JD) to improve transparency, superintendent communication, and shared discipline framework (September 2, 2025)

• Installed Hammonds & Sills as legal counsel (8-1 vote; dissent cited board exclusion from process).  (September 2025)

• Presentation: Strategic Funding & Tax Initiative Priorities (Teacher Pay, Technology, Infrastructure) shared with community.  (September 2025)

  
  

Policy Discussion & Action on Policy

• Voted to advertise the revised tax proposition with intent to add a guiding policy. (July 2025)

• Voted down revised emergency crisis and discipline policies; Dr. London dissented, raising concerns about lack of communication safeguards and continued use of outdated terms. (September 2025)

• Approved new behavioral health support policy for students. (September 2025)

• Affirmed policy to prevent political campaigning during school events. (September 2025)

• Motion to delay newly introduced legislative policies failed citing board policy on review timeline; board voted to approve immediately. (September 2025)

  
  

Superintendent Evaluation & Board Requests

• Dr. London raised concerns about lack of transparency and responsiveness to staff and student safety needs. (July 2025)

• Dr. London referenced board commitments during earlier meetings and highlighted broken promises related to community engagement on the tax plan. (September 2025)

• Dr. London reiterated past requests for more inclusive and clear communication with community members. (September 2025)

  
  

Recognitions

• Honored summer graduates who completed coursework after the spring ceremony. (July 2025)

• Celebrated FFA state champions for outstanding achievements. (July 2025)

• Recognized Teachers and Support Workers of the Year. (August 2025)

• Honored custodian Betty Williams for her retirement. (September 2025)

• Celebrated two student Beta Club national champions in painting and sculpture. (September 2025)

Special Board Meeting

Community Engagement

• Community asked about tax plan language, use of surplus funds, and funding priorities. (July 24, 2025)

• Superintendent outlined how funds could support teacher pay and technology. (July 24, 2025)

  
  

Academic Committee

• Reviewed growth in academic performance, especially among English learners and early literacy students. (July 31, 2025)

• Discussed curriculum changes, internship requirements, and how student outcomes will be measured. (July 31, 2025)

  
  

Policy & Governance Committee

• Reviewed edits to emergency and discipline policies with legal counsel. (August 12, 2025)

• Discussed creating a tax use policy—original draft was dismissed despite prior community support. (August 12, 2025)

  
  

Discipline Hearing

• Approved expulsions; Dr. London raised concern about lack of evidence for one case. (September 16, 2025)

  
  

Board Member Activities (Ongoing: June–September 2025)

• Dr. London attended Consortium of State School Boards Association 2025 Conference, Southern Region Leadership 2025 Conference. Dr. Lathon attended education law conference.

• Submitted a draft plan for paid student internships that would meet state hour requirements.

• Participated in meetings with state legislators and community groups to discuss the tax proposition and policy transparency.

Insurance Benefits Work Session:

•Gallagher Insurance presented self-funding options in response to rising premiums. (September 30, 2025)

July through September reflected a period of transition, planning, and continued decision-making as the district moved into a new school year. The board advanced budget revisions, addressed legislative policy changes, and continued important discussions around governance, transparency, and student support.

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