Public commenter presses board on distribution formula; board tables funding schedule vote

The Livingston Parish School Board heard a public comment urging the board to consider equity for less-populated areas before finalizing the district distribution schedule for the 2025–26 fiscal year, then voted to table the item until the next meeting.

Trey Cowell, the only public commenter recorded, urged the board to act in the best interest of the whole parish and raised concerns that smaller and southern districts have received fewer construction dollars from the parish’s second-cent sales tax. Cowell said he was speaking for residents across the parish and cited recent construction spending numbers, saying, "Out of the second cent sales tax... Denham, Walker, and Live Oak have spent $57,000,000; everybody else, $9,800,000 out of second cent sales tax." The meeting transcript captures Cowell’s claim as his testimony urging fairness in the funding formula.

Business manager Ashley Hamney presented two scenarios: Scenario 1 (actual per-pupil allocation used previously) and Scenario 2 (a weighted per-pupil distribution used earlier to increase allocations to smaller districts). Board member Mister Cecil Harris moved to adopt Scenario 2. After an alternate motion to table, the board held an up-or-down vote on tabling the item; the tabling motion passed 5–2, so the choice of distribution method was deferred to the December 18 meeting.

The board did not adopt a distribution schedule; no changes to allocations were made at the meeting. The superintendent confirmed the tabled item will be added to the next meeting agenda.