Committee Meeting - April 2026

The Calcasieu Parish School Board held a committee meeting on April 29, 2026, where several procurement and policy-related topics were discussed. Key procurement-related discussions included policies on employee dismissal related to the Department of Children and Family Services State Central Registry, procedures for the sale and recycling of surplus technology devices, and the requirement to check the System for Award Management (SAM) for excluded parties before awarding contracts. The board also addressed recruitment policies emphasizing solicitations from small, minority, and women-owned businesses, with a focus on transparency and equal opportunity in contracting, especially for professional services such as counseling and leadership training. Additionally, the board discussed the administration and potential restructuring of supplemental payments to employees, including options to split payments to improve retention and recoupment of funds from employees who leave mid-year. Other topics included updates to policies on behavioral health screenings, emergency crisis management, use of cameras in special education classrooms, administration of medication, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence by staff and students. The board agreed to explore improved processes for vendor solicitation transparency and to present options for supplemental payment structures at the upcoming budget meeting in June. No formal contract awards or specific vendor selections were made during this meeting, but several policy decisions could impact future procurement and contracting activities within the district.