Alexandria, LA (1/17/2023) – January is School Board Recognition Month, and Rapides Parish is honored to celebrate its school board members for their dedication and commitment to the district’s schools and students.
“Our school board members are selfless volunteers who spend long hours working to ensure all of our students, faculty, and community members have various opportunities to engage, empower, and elevate one another to their maximum potential,” Rapides Parish Superintendent Jeff Powell said. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say thanks for all they do.”
Serving as a link between the community and the classroom, school board members are elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for public schools. The Rapides Parish School Board is responsible for an annual budget of $458 million, more than 22,000 students, more than 3200 employees and 49 schools and sites.
“School boards are essential to a strong public education system,” Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) Executive Director Janet Pope said. “They provide the local governance and oversight that makes it possible for school districts to serve students, including establishing a strategic plan, adopting policies, approving a budget, and selecting and evaluating a superintendent. It’s fitting that we celebrate them in January as their leadership is key to the success of every school district in Louisiana.”
LSBA Board President Rose Dominguez echoed those same thoughts. “It’s the perfect opportunity to honor our school board members and let the communities they serve know about their many contributions.”
Under the guidance of the school board, the Rapides Parish School District has achieved its highest district performance score under the current state accountability system, experienced academic growth and improvement despite the negative impacts of Covid-19 and hurricanes, passed a $100 million bond to build and improve school facilities in the city of Alexandria, started the Rapides Reads Literacy Revival complete with 3 new mobile literacy labs and Reading Revival camps, created opportunities for more students to have access to summer learning opportunities that not only provide academic enrichment but engage students in areas they might not always have exposure to and much more.
Board members serving Rapides Parish are:
District A – Mr. Wilton Barrios, Jr. (Served 20 years)
District B – Mr. Steve Berry (Served 20 years)
District C – Mr. Mark Dryden (Served 4 years)
District D – Mr. Willard B. McCall, Vice President (Served 8 years)
District E – Dr. Stephen Chapman, President (Served 20 years)
District F – Ms. Linda Burgess (Served 4 years)
District G – Mr. Wally Fall (Serving 1st year)
District H – Mr. George Johnson (Serving 1st year)
District I – Mrs. Sandra Franklin (Served 8 years)
Learn more about the Rapides Parish School Board at www.rpsb.us and general school board service at www.lsba.com.
