Bossier Parish teachers and employees will have an additional reason to ring in the new year
and look forward to the start of 2027. They will be receiving a one-time supplement the week
they return from holiday break in January.
Tonight, the Bossier Parish School Board approved a New Year Bridge Supplement aimed at
providing relief between the December 18 and January 25 paychecks, a time when budgets are
stretched the thinnest. Educators and certificated employees will receive $2,000; support
personnel will get $1,000, payable January 8, 2027. This marks the third board-approved
supplement increase for every full-time employee since June 2026, amounting to a total of
$2,875 for certificated staff and $1,625 for support personnel.
“Our board deserves to be commended for taking this action that goes above and beyond what
was required of them,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “By approving the
New Year Bridge Supplement for all employees, they demonstrated their unwavering belief in
the people who make our school system exemplary. Every individual in Bossier Schools
contributes to educating our children, whether they are in the classroom, driving a bus,
preparing meals in the cafeteria, maintaining our campuses, or supporting students behind the
scenes.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued an Executive Order in June to redirect $168 million in
Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) monies to fund one-time stipends of $2,000 for classroom
teachers and $1,000 for support staff during the 2026-27 school year. However, the Executive
Order excluded numerous groups of school employees and specialized professions that
received supplements in prior years, including school nurses, counselors and therapists, as well
as principals, assistant principals and others.
“We chose a different path, one that recognizes the value of every person who serves our
children,” said BPSB Finance Chair Eric Newman. “Our board’s decision reflects a deep respect
for the educators and staff at Bossier Schools and reinforces that we succeed as a team.
Everyone plays a role, because at Bossier Schools everything matters.”