At its December meeting, the Ouachita Parish School Board approved a slate of routine and non‑routine actions spanning facilities, procurement and a student discipline appeal.

Facilities and equipment: The board voted to purchase replacement lights for the West Ouachita softball field after staff inspection found the poles sound but the fixtures failing. The motion passed with no opposition.

Procurement and bids: Procurement staff recommended rejecting bids for Ouachita Junior High track and athletic improvements (Bid 7‑26) because all submissions were over the $810,000 Eastside bond budget; the board granted permission to re‑scope and evaluate later. The board accepted the lowest responsive bidders for band instruments (Bid 8‑26), with a reported total of $668,223.77 and instruction to award per the bid tabulation. Two properties (Gordon Avenue and Mineral Springs) received no responsive bids; the board authorized re‑advertising and rebidding those properties, with a suggested starting value for the Mineral Springs parcel at approximately $68,000 (85% of appraised value noted in the packet).

Contract/transfer: The board authorized transfer of a corporate endeavor agreement from Town and Country Service Company to Magnolia Water Utility Company related to an anticipated sale on Dec. 29; the agreement was described as expiring December 2026 and would require a future application for continuation.

Discipline: After an executive session to hear a student expulsion appeal requested as a private hearing by the parent, the board returned to public session and took a roll call to affirm the expulsion decision; the motion to affirm carried on the roll call vote.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Approve minutes (Nov. 12): approved unanimously.
- Replace West Ouachita softball lights: approved, no opposition.
- Reject Bid 7‑26 (Ouachita Junior High track): motion carried to reject and repackage scope.
- Award Bid 8‑26 (band instruments): approved; total $668,223.77.
- Transfer endeavor agreement to Magnolia Water Utility Company: approved.
- Affirm student expulsion after executive session: roll call vote to affirm; motion carried.

Next steps: Staff will re‑scope the track project and re‑advertise undersubscribed properties; procurement will proceed with vendor awards for instruments and final purchase orders for approved equipment.