The Bossier Parish School Board recognized longtime public servant Foster Campbell Thursday, November 5, 2026 for his role in establishing a financial endowment that has provided millions of dollars in support for local students and classrooms over the past four decades.
The recognition took place during the board’s regular meeting at the Bossier Instructional Center on Airline Drive, honoring Campbell for 50 years of public service and his contributions to public education in Bossier Parish.
Campbell, a former Louisiana state senator and retiring Louisiana Public Service Commissioner, was instrumental in creating the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund, commonly known as BEEF, in 1985.
The fund began with a $500,000 investment after Campbell urged then-Gov. Edwin Edwards to dedicate tax revenue generated by Louisiana Downs to establish a perpetual endowment for Bossier Parish schools. Legislation later expanded the funding sources to include state revenue collected from Bossier City casinos.
What started as a half-million-dollar investment has grown into an endowment valued at an estimated $70 million to $80 million. Since its creation, the fund has generated approximately $20 million in interest for the school district, including about $2 million this year.
The earnings have helped pay for classroom enhancements, student technology, art education, after-school tutoring and other educational programs. The fund is structured so that its annual earnings support educational purposes rather than administrative, custodial, maintenance or capital expenses.
During the recognition, school officials credited Campbell with creating a resource that has benefited generations of Bossier Parish students and continues to provide support for teachers and classrooms.
Campbell thanked the board for the recognition and reflected on his years in public service, including his early career as a teacher in Plain Dealing.
He described BEEF as a valuable resource for the parish and encouraged board members to protect the fund for future generations. Campbell noted that other communities have recognized the success of the program and that Bossier Parish has a responsibility to preserve the money dedicated to its schools.
Campbell also discussed his work in establishing the Louisiana Educational Excellence Fund, known as LEAF, which was modeled after BEEF. The statewide fund was created using a portion of Louisiana’s tobacco settlement proceeds to provide additional support for education.
In other business, the board approved an adjustment to its December meeting calendar. The board voted to cancel its previously scheduled Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 meetings and add a meeting for Dec. 10.
The board also considered a proposal to move its regular meeting start time from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in January 2027. The proposal was approved following discussion, with members raising concerns about traffic and the ability of parents and employees to attend earlier meetings.