By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Integrity. Kind. Christian.
Words of support and well-wishes poured out Tuesday night for longtime school board member Otha Anders, who passed away over the weekend after decades of service to teachers and students in North Louisiana.
“Mr. Anders was a board member who cared dearly for the well-being of our students and employees,” Superintendent John Young said following the meeting. “He occasionally would call me when he needed additional clarification on agenda items so he could make the best informed decision before he voted. His presence, knowledge, and experience made him an asset to District 10 and the Lincoln Parish School Board as a whole.”
Board members unanimously amended the agenda to allow for a special remembrance of Anders and opened the meeting with an invocation that included prayers for Anders’ family and a moment of silence in his memory.
Several members then reflected on Anders’ legacy of service, kindness and commitment to public education.
“He was kind, and he always spoke softly, but he little kids, just like I do in the education that they need to be prosperous in this ever changing society,” District 2 Board Member David Ferguson said.
District 6 Board Member Joe Mitcham said he had the privilege of serving alongside Anders as vice president for nine years.
“He was one of the most caring individuals that I’ve known, especially about students,” Mitcham said. “He loved students, and he cared about them, and he cared about this board and this system.”
District 7 Board Member Hunter Smith described Anders as “extremely kind” and a man with “a servant’s heart,” while a community member called him “an educational legend” who embodied Christian values and advocated for parental involvement during a public comment section.
Board President Gregg Phillips (District 8) also shared a personal reflection, noting that Anders offered him encouragement and advice after he became board president.
“We will miss him greatly,” Phillips said.
The board will have 20 days following Anders’ passing to fill the seat, which would require a new member being seated by July 24. Should it get past that date, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry would then fill the seat.
Beyond honoring Anders, the board conducted regular business and approved several agenda items.
Among the actions taken, the board officially adopted the results of the June 27 sales tax consolidation election, in which voters rejected the proposal by a margin of approximately 1,200 votes, or 61.6%.
The board also approved Triad Builders of Ruston as the construction manager at risk to ultimately move the LPSB central office into the LPECC building. The company was selected following a competitive process that included five submissions and interviews conducted by a five-member committee.
Additionally, the board approved the retirement of two school buses from the current fleet to be disposed through the bid process.
The meeting also included reports on summer learning initiatives and early literacy improvements across the district, with administrators highlighting gains in student achievement and reading proficiency. A follow-up story on both will be in Thursday’s edition of the Lincoln Parish Journal.
The board is scheduled to meet again in August.
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