News Summary
Caddo Parish students return to class with new safety measures, educational policies, and a proposed stipend for teachers to enhance learning.
Shreveport, Louisiana – Students in Caddo Parish, the largest school district in the ArkLaTex region, returned to class on Wednesday, marking the start of a new school year filled with significant changes and consolidations. The school district serves over 55,000 students, supported by hundreds of teachers and faculty to enhance the educational experience.
Superintendent Keith Burton, who has over 30 years of experience in education, embarks on his first full year in his role. Burton’s primary goal is to build upon the recent improvements seen in statewide testing results for Caddo Parish students. As a part of his efforts to appreciate the hard work of school employees, he has proposed a one-time $1,000 stipend for all eligible staff. This stipend is notable as the last pay raise for Caddo Parish teachers and employees occurred in 2017. The proposed stipend comes in addition to a statewide pay increase approved by the Louisiana Legislature in June, which allocated $2,000 for certified staff and $1,000 for classified staff.
Superintendent Burton’s stipend proposal will be reviewed by the Caddo Parish School Board during its meeting on August 19, where further discussions will unfold regarding employee compensation.
In response to ongoing decline in student enrollments and overall population within the district, some schools have been consolidated. The School Board made the decision in April to close several schools, including Queensborough Elementary, which will merge with J.S. Clark Elementary. This restructuring will require students to adjust to new facilities as they transition from closed schools to being placed in merged establishments.
Adding to the new academic year, a new state law mandates the installation of active school zone cameras aimed at increasing safety around schools. This initiative includes the painting of yellow stripes and putting up signage to clearly demarcate school zones. Blue Line Solutions has been selected to oversee the implementation of this system and will provide video evidence of violations related to speeding in school zones.
The Caddo Parish School District has also enacted a ban on personal electronic devices, including cell phones, during school hours. The policy includes a procedure for confiscation in the event of violations, aiming to create a more focused learning environment for students.
Additionally, the district has introduced new attendance rules which limit parents to submitting only three absence notes per semester. Should a student exceed these notes, a doctor’s excuse will be mandated for any further absences. Furthermore, notes must be presented within three days of the student’s return to school, ensuring that attendance policies are consistently followed.
Truancy continues to be a crucial concern within the district, as reports indicate that there are ten unexcused absences for some students. This issue remains a top priority for administrators as they work to enhance attendance and engagement among students.
In preparation for the new school year, various community groups have come together to assist local families. Notably, local law firm Rice and Kendig Injury Attorneys organized a drive-through backpack giveaway, successfully providing 500 children with essential school supplies. Other organizations, such as Maggie Lee’s Give for Good and Sports Spectrum, contributed by supplying uniforms and new shoes to additional students during their back-to-school events.
The agenda for the upcoming Caddo Parish School Board meeting also includes discussions concerning a bid of $1.3 million for the recently closed Queensborough Elementary, indicating ongoing considerations for the district’s property management and resource allocation.
As the new academic year commences, Caddo Parish schools are set to implement these new policies and programs, reflecting a commitment to improve educational standards and student outcomes in the community.
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Additional Resources
- KTBS: Thousands of Caddo Students Return to Class
- KTAL: Businesses Host Back to School Giveaways
- Shreveport Times: When Do Students Go Back to School in Louisiana
- KSLA: Galilee Baptist Church Hosting Back to School Giveaway
- Wikipedia: Education in Louisiana
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
