By Pat Culverhouse
Nine Webster Parish students who achieved perfect LEAP (Louisiana Education Assessment Program) scores were honored Monday by the parish school board.
One of those, Doyline High School freshman Cannan Estes, scored his perfect 850 in both Algebra I and Civics.
Also receiving a perfect mark were:
- Connor Webb, 3rd grade, J.L. Jones: Math.
- Diesel Beene, 7th grade, Webster Jr. High: English/Language Arts.
- Elizabeth Holland, 8th grade, Webster Jr. High: English/Language Arts.
- Kennedy Dillard, 3rd grade, Central Elementary: English/Language Arts.
- Cooper Branch, 4th grade, Lakeside Jr/Sr High: Social Studies.
- Sophia Perez, 7th grade, Lakeside Jr/Sr High: English/Language Arts.
- Grace Wyatt, 10th grade, Minden High: English II.
- Matthew McFarland, 9th grade, Doyline High: Civics.
“For these students, this is an exceptional accomplishment that reflects their academic excellence, dedication and hard work,” Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland said.
Another parish student, incoming Minden High School junior Maleah Richardson, was acknowledged for representing Louisiana at the Hugh O’Brian Youth World Leadership Congress in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1958 by actor and humanitarian Hugh O’Brian, the conference brings students from all 50 state and more than 15 foreign countries together for week-long sessions. The organization’s mission statement shows the purpose is to help students discover “…a newfound sense of awareness, confidence, connection and purpose.”
“For me, this was a life-changing experience,” Richardson told school board members.
During Monday’s meeting, board members also:
- Approved the fiscal year 2026-27 travel policy.
- Approved the 2026-27 parish Parent and Family Engagement Policy.
- Approved the 2026-27 parish Homeless Policies and Procedures, and were told the program served 81 students in 2025. Funds for the program come under the umbrella of Title 1.
- Adopted a resolution to call a special election in Consolidated School Dist. 3 for the purpose of rededicating funds from a special tax in that district. “We want to emphasize this is a rededication, not a reallocation of funds,” Rowland said. “The tax collected in Dist. 3 will remain in Dist. 3 and not used anywhere else.”
Board members approved, in globo, $332,759.63 in invoice payments from the various district funds for maintenance, repairs and new purchases. Those were:
Consolidated Dist. 3 Maintenance Fund: $89,630.25, a total which includes $69,200 to replace HVAC units in seven classrooms in Pre-K/Kindergarten wing at Central Elementary; $9,650 to replace HVAC unit for Pre-K/Kindergarten at Central Elementary; $4,800 to install mini split-air conditioning unit at Lakeside Jr/Sr High football field ticket booth.
Dist. 6 One-half cent Sales Tax Fund: $114,667.84 which includes $23,550 to install new 8.5 ton package air conditioning unit at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $16,069.50 to purchase 10 Chromebook charging carts at Minden High School; $12,000 to prep and apply solid flake epoxy flooring to cafeteria kitchen and storage area at Richardson Elementary; $11,450 to purchase golf cart for J.A. Phillips Elementary; $10,917.17 to install network drops and cameras at J.A. Phillips Elementary.
Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $2,389.37. Largest invoice to pay $1,130 for initial lawn work, trimming and weed spraying at North Webster Upper Elementary.
Doyline Maintenance Fund: $54,307.39, which includes $51,677 to remove mildew and possible mold from elementary wing at Doyline High.
Springhill Maintenance Fund: $71,764.78. Total includes $56,950 to paint hallways and repair water damaged areas at Browning Elementary; $8,066.35 to install security door in interior office area of Brown Upper Elementary; $6,748.43 to clean and replace drywall in multiple classrooms at Brown Upper Elementary due to mildew and possible mold issues.
