CPSB: Budget Work Session #1 | General Funds | 2:00pm

The Caddo Parish Public Schools Board held a budget work session on June 3, 2026, focusing primarily on the general fund budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The board discussed a balanced budget proposal totaling approximately $439.7 million in revenue and expenditures, including a planned 6% across-the-board salary increase for all employees effective July 1, 2026. Additional budget highlights included a 2.5% increase in coaching stipends and continuation of a $200 materials and supplies allowance for teachers. Board members debated the structure of raises, considering both percentage increases and potential one-time stipends, especially for lower-paid employees, with a proposed one-time stipend of $1,500 for employees earning $30,000 or less and $1,000 for others to be funded from a projected $10 million surplus in the current fiscal year. Concerns were raised about potential future state mandates requiring additional raises without new funding, which could necessitate program cuts. The board also discussed challenges related to salary schedule integrity, recruitment difficulties, and the impact of declining student enrollment on funding. No formal votes on budget approval occurred during this session; approval and a public hearing are scheduled for the June 16 board meeting. Action items include further analysis of salary schedules, stipend proposals, and grant funding details to be addressed in subsequent sessions.