Special awards were handed out at Tuesday’s parish school board meeting for outstanding performances by students and members of the Webster Parish school system.

Receiving accolades for “Of the Year” awards were students, support workers, teachers and principals. Also receiving special recognition were 2026 science fair winners and state winners in the Educators Rising program.

(Editor’s Note: for a complete list of school and parish winners, see Thursday’s edition of your Webster Parish Journal.)

Melanie Campbell, special education teacher at North Webster Upper Elementary, was named Employee of the Month for April. Presenting the award was Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons.

In other business Tuesday, board members:

• Approved travel to the Medieval Times and Dallas Zoo in Dallas, TX on May 1 for approximately 200 North Webster High School students. Charter bus cost will be covered by Title I funds; students will pay other costs.
• Gave approval for Minden High theater and choir, and North Webster High theatre programs to travel to Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR, to see production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
• Approved travel to conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, TX, May 18-21 for Ursula Hullaby. Funding source is Title V funds.
• Gave approval for North Webster High and Lakeside Jr/Sr High students, along with district sponsors, to travel to Portland, OR, for the 2026 Educators Rising national conference/competition June 19-24. Funds from general fund.
• Approved sending cheerleaders from Lakeside Jr/Sr High and Minden High to camp at Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine, TX, May 28-31. Funds from cheerleader fund.

Board members also approved, in toto,  $192,509.36 in invoice payments from the various district maintenance and tax funds, including:

• Consolidated Dist. 3 Maintenance Fund: $31,520.04. Paynents include $12,589 for upgrade and expand network infrastructure at baseball and softball fields at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $8,950 to replace HVAC unit for room at Central Elementary; $3,918.04 to purchase various janitorial equipment at Central Elementary; $1,998 to purchase new vaulting poles for Lakeside Jr/Sr High.
• Dist. 6 One-half Sales Tax Fund: $72,369.33. Includes $16,000 to install VRV condenser at Webster Jr. High; $8,416.81 to repair water leak at Webster Jr. High; $6,518.38 to have Homeland Security install three new card readers with camera video intercom on existing magnetic safety door entry points at Richardson Elementary; $6,203.36 to seal gaps and entry points for bats at Webster Jr. High; $5,536 to install decal signage in cafeteria, gym, office and student restrooms at J.A. Phillips; $5,278.27 to have Homeland Security install three additional exterior cameras at Richardson Elementary.
• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $1,200 to repair gas valve at North Webster Upper Elementary.
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $12,785. Payments include $4,900 for board and compressor at Doyline High; $3,900 for compressor at Doyline High; $2,435 to repair conduit and wiring on six existing light fixtures.
• Sarepta Maintenance Fund: $10,456.59. Payments to cover $6,664.59 to replace two metal doors at North Webster Jr. High; $1,900 for sale of motor to North Webster Jr. High; $1,892 to re-stripe parking lot at North Webster Jr. High.
• Shongaloo Building Fund: $13,675.71.  Invoices include $10,543.77 to install four-door access control panel at North Webster Lower Elementary; $2,529.86 vandal proof all weather camera-turret at North Webster Lower Elementary.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $50,502.69. Includes $20,952.74 to purchase 26 student and eight teacher Chromebooks and four Chromebook carts for North Webster High; $16,510.95 to purchase 45 Chromebooks for North Webster High; $7,635 to install 11 wall pack fixtures at front entrance of Browning Elementary; $2,215 for sale of draft motor, heat exchange and gaskets at Brown Upper Elementary; $2,200 for parts at North Webster High.

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