School Board Meetings Summary, March 2026

Zachary Community School Board | District 8

Compiled by Dr. Crystal London, District 8 Board Member

March’s meetings focused on district finances, academic outcomes, student nutrition, governance processes, and student achievement. Across the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Board Meeting, the board reviewed financial trends, revisited academic performance data, discussed options for a district policy audit, considered child nutrition and meal policy matters, and celebrated major student accomplishments. The summary below highlights the major discussions and actions from both March meetings.

Finance, Budget, & Operations

• Received a monthly financial presentation comparing projected income and expenditures to actual district revenues and spending. (March 3, 2026)

• Considered and later approved the Child Nutrition Program request to award bids for the following school year. (March 3, 2026; March 17, 2026)

• Received an update on the district’s implementation of the Diligent platform, including its integration into existing web systems and its transition into the district’s new home for board agendas and meeting materials. (March 3, 2026)

• Considered and later approved the request to designate The Advocate as the district’s official journal for the 2026–2027 school year. (March 3, 2026; March 17, 2026)

Academic Outcomes & Student Support

• Revisited the district’s academic presentation, including discussion of student group outcomes and widening performance gaps across multiple groups within the district. (March 3, 2026)

• Dr. London raised concern that the most recent outcomes reflected the largest recorded gap to date between some student groups, including Black and White students, on district performance measures. (March 3, 2026)

• Discussion followed regarding how to interpret those outcomes. Concerns were raised about addressing patterns at the group level and the responsibility of district leadership to respond to widening disparities, even where individual student outcomes vary. (March 3, 2026)

• Received superintendent updates on implementation of Zearn Math and Amira, as well as upcoming instructional planning related to a remote learning Friday, spring testing, and spring break. (March 17, 2026)

• Received an introduction to the Zachary Early College Academy, a new pilot allowing students to earn up to 60 college credit hours and potentially complete an associate degree while still in high school through in-person, virtual, or hybrid participation. (March 17, 2026)

Child Nutrition & Meal Policy

• Discussed an alternative meal plan proposal under which students with meal debt above a certain threshold would receive a sandwich and fruit as an alternative meal option. District officials noted that current student meal debt had risen to approximately $35,000, compared to a more typical range of $15,000–$20,000. (March 3, 2026)

• Board members raised questions about additional strategies to address the deficit, including increasing completion of lunch registration forms and other proactive approaches. (March 3, 2026)

• During the Regular Board Meeting, the board further discussed the policy language governing alternative meals. Dr. London verified with legal counsel that existing language permitted the district to withhold meals and proposed stronger language changing “may provide” to “shall provide” an alternative meal. (March 17, 2026)

• The board voted to retain the language as “may”, citing flexibility for special meal events such as holiday lunches. Dr. London maintained a dissenting position, expressing concern that the existing wording leaves open the possibility that a student may receive no meal at all. (March 17, 2026)

Policies & Governance

• Received another update on options for a district policy audit. As in earlier discussions, the conversation was tabled so that more members could be present for fuller deliberation. (March 3, 2026)

• Continued discussion of policy audit options at the Regular Board Meeting, with some members expressing hesitation about the necessity of a full audit and discussing possible criteria for selecting which policies to review. (March 17, 2026)

• Received guidance related to Act 676 and the Ten Commandments, including discussion tied to statewide communication sent to school districts. (March 3, 2026)

• No professional learning updates were shared at the Committee of the Whole meeting. (March 3, 2026)

• Dr. London requested that all items be removed from the consent agenda for standalone discussion. (March 17, 2026)

Recognitions & Superintendent Updates

• Recognized Gabrielle Anthony for her state championship in weightlifting. (March 17, 2026)

• Recognized the boys’ and girls’ high school basketball teams for both winning state championships for the second year in a row. (March 17, 2026)

• Received superintendent updates on the upcoming LSBA conference scheduled for March 29–31, spring break dates, and preparations for the testing season that follows. (March 17, 2026)

Looking Ahead

• Discussed upcoming board meeting agenda items and announcements at both the Committee of the Whole and Regular Board Meeting. (March 3, 2026; March 17, 2026)

Together, March’s meetings reflected the board’s ongoing work around fiscal oversight, academic performance, student supports, and governance processes. The month also brought important recognition of student excellence while raising continued questions about equity, policy direction, and how the district responds to both operational and instructional challenges. As the board moves into April, conversations around student outcomes, policy review, and district planning remain important areas to watch.

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.