The Winn Parish School Board approved a $30 Mills, 20-year bond for the Calvin School District during its regular meeting on Aug. 4, while also reviewing the upcoming school year’s budget, personnel status, property bids, and technology plans.
The bond passed with a roll call vote: Scott, Vines, Cox, Underwood, Taylor, Carpenter, and Browning voted yes; McManus and Long voted no. Howell and Willis were absent. The board also heard a budget report from Jennifer Vidrine for the 2025–26 general fund, but no action was taken. A public budget hearing will be held at the next meeting, with a required legal notice to be published by Aug. 20.
The board reaffirmed its rejection of the proposal from the Winnfield Police Department to install speed cameras near Winnfield Senior High School, which was previously discussed at the last committee meeting, July 28.
Several bids for surplus school properties were ratified, despite public concern. Joseph Lang, a bidder for the former Atlanta High School building, questioned the ethical removal of items, specifically air conditioners, after the bid was submitted. Superintendent Al Simmons stated those items were marked for future district use and that property descriptions had been made available prior but offered for he and Lang to sit down at a later date and discuss. Lang insisted that all items present at the time of bidding should remain with the property and suggested the need for a more transparent and detailed bid packet process moving forward. Despite his concerns, he stated he still intends to move forward with the purchase.
Dr. Bob Jordan presented a technology proposal from Trafera, the same company the district worked with the previous year. Though there were two other vendors, Trafera was the only complete bid received. With a motion from Joe Laine Long and a quick second from Lacey McManus, the board voted, accepting the technology bid.
Staffing updates confirmed that all certified teacher positions were filled as of that afternoon, with only a few paraprofessional vacancies remaining. Simmons outlined professional development plans and the schedule for the school year’s opening. “As I’ve told every group—bus drivers, cafeteria managers, special education teachers—this is what we do. Students coming to class. This is the whole reason our jobs exist,” Simmons said.
The district will move to a new parent-teacher communication platform, ParentSquare, replacing apps like Remind and GroupMe. Simmons said the change offers better oversight, compliance, and archival tools. Additionally, the board reviewed the policy limiting student-written excuses. Parents were encouraged to review the student handbook for attendance and communication guidelines as we begin a new year.
Before adjourning, the board assigned several follow-up actions: contact legal counsel to begin the process of disposing of surplus properties, meet with Lang to address his concerns, and conduct a final review of the budget before the public hearing.
The board will gather the evening of Thursday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m. for a special public session for the purpose of interviewing Superintendents for the district.