NAACP to host community event Thursday concerning closure of J.L. Jones Elementary School.

By Terrell Mendenhall, Vice President of NAACP

WHAT’S NEXT FOR J.L. JONES ELEMENTARY School in Minden, La. Known for its legacy of being a Historically Black educational institution.

Why wasn’t the Webster Parish community notified earlier on in the process and why would Webster Parish school board members vote for something that the knew very little information about? 

The informational session presented by the Superintendent back in April only allowed the community ten minutes to answer any questions or even voice their concerns.

THE DECISION
During the May, 2026 Webster Parish School Board Informational meeting, members approved the plan to repurpose J.L. Jones Elementary into a district-level multipurpose facility, effective August 2026.
Grade Reassignments:

  • 2nd Grade → J.A. Phillips Elementary
  • 3rd Grade → E.S. Richardson Elementary

WHY WE’RE MEETING
Even with the vote complete, important questions remain.
Your voice still matters.
Your presence still matters.

Bring your questions and concerns.
Let’s talk about what’s next for Webster Parish students.

Mark those Calendars and we will see you all there.