By Tiffany Flournoy

Cafeteria employees in the Claiborne Parish School District will receive a $600 incentive payment after the Claiborne Parish School Board approved the measure during its March 5 meeting.

Board members also adopted the district’s 2026-27 academic calendar and authorized transferring district investment funds.

The one-time incentive will be issued in March to food service employees who were employed as of Jan. 5, 2026. Officials said the payment will not alter the district’s salary schedule. The measure passed unanimously.

The board also unanimously approved the 2026-27 school calendar, which includes aligning fall break with surrounding school districts.

Business Manager Mary Turner presented a financial recommendation the board approved to move most Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP) funds to a First Guaranty Bank money market account, leaving $1,000 in LAMP. The board also voted to keep $500,000 in the district’s First Guaranty Bank checking account and transfer the remaining balance into the bank’s money market account.

Turner briefly reviewed February financial reports and said a school activity audit report had been mailed to board members. Amy Tynes of Allen, Green and Williamson LLP is expected to attend the next meeting to present the district’s 2024-25 audit.

Superintendent Chris Brooks reported no personnel changes since the February meeting and said parent-teacher conferences will be held March 16, which will be a virtual learning day for students.

Brooks also said a special called meeting may be held at 8 a.m. March 26 to discuss and approve lighting bids.

The meeting opened with a prayer led by Homer High School student Kirsten Dixon, a participant in the school’s KARE program, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next meeting of the Claiborne Parish School Board is scheduled for April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish School Board office, 415 East Main St., Homer.