The Senate Fiscal Review Committee convened on July 30, 2025, to address the urgent need for fiscal oversight within the Madison Parish School Board. The meeting began with testimonies from school board members, including Shelly Crawford and Rita Hargrave, who expressed unanimous support for the appointment of a fiscal administrator to help navigate financial challenges.

Superintendent Dr. Charlie Butler also endorsed the need for a fiscal administrator, emphasizing the importance of making difficult decisions to rectify the district's financial situation. The committee discussed the process for appointing this administrator, which involves a referral from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESI) and subsequent approval from a court.

Tavares Walker, the executive director for BESI, confirmed that the board supports the referral made by Dr. Kate Brumley, which will be ratified at their upcoming meeting on August 20. The committee acknowledged the urgency of the situation, given that the school year begins on August 11, and emphasized the need for swift action.

A motion was made and seconded to place the Madison Parish School Board under fiscal administration, which was met with unanimous approval. The committee will work with the Attorney General's office to ensure all necessary documentation is prepared for the court, which has 20 days to convene a hearing and appoint the fiscal administrator.

The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned, marking a significant step towards addressing the financial oversight needed in Madison Parish schools.