Rapides Parish students will get a day off for the fair on their 2025-26 academic calendar.

During a special meeting on Thursday, the Rapides Parish School Board unanimously approved a calendar only for the next calendar year. It includes a student holiday that coincides with the Rapides Parish Fair on Oct. 10.

The next week has parent-teacher conferences from Oct. 13-16, then a one-day fall break on Oct. 17.

That differs from what was presented at the Jan. 7 regular meeting. The board was to vote on calendars for two years, neither of which had been voted on by the public as in the past.

Superintendent Jeff Powell told board members the process was changed this year because, in years past, most people voted for the first option constructed by the administration. But public comment was taken, and Powell presented the 141 comments left by the public.

Just four mentioned the fair, and none of those specifically called for school to be out so students could attend it.

Fair comments

But when member Sandra Franklin said students should be educated about Louisiana's reliance on agriculture and forestry, it started a debate about whether or not the fall break dates should align with the fair. Powell cautioned that doing so wouldn't guarantee her goal of educating them.

"If you close school on the days of the fair, you have zero guarantee that any parents are bringing their students to the fair," he said. "In fact, because we're in school, many students who we know would not be afforded the opportunity to go to the fair are afforded the opportunity to go."