Every Webster Parish school system employee will have a vote to determine which of two recommended calendars for school year 2023-24 will be adopted, after school board members unanimously voted to approve the recommendation of a three-member school calendar committee.

Board members met in special session Monday following a calendar committee meeting where the two options were discussed.

Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland said the question of choice would be forwarded electronically to all employees Tuesday, with a deadline of Thursday (March 23) at 4 p.m. for votes to be received.

Rowland said the calendar chosen would be determined by a “majority wins” solution. Each employee will be able to vote anonymously via the school system’s Internet connection, and voting on the calendars will be voluntary. Using the system site will ensure privacy and security, Rowland said.

During discussion on calendars, board President Charles Strong said making a selection requires “…greater, more active cooperation between all stakeholders including the school board, school staff and parents. The calendar is a missing puzzle piece.”

Strong included parents among what he described as stakeholders due to “…a ground-swell around the country where parents expect to be stakeholders. Our discussions should be based on what’s best for students and families.”

But board and committee members wondered what steps needed to be considered in order to get parents involved in decisions such as preparing and adopting school calendars.

“We need to think about how do we involve parents,” board vice-president Johnnye Kennon said. “We should look for answers.”