The first school built by Bossier Parish School Board was Benton High School in 1890. By 1905 It had three teachers and one graduating class. The school taught grades 6-12 with no more than 25 students per grade, with some grades missing students. In May 1969 the Supreme Court issued Desegregation in schools. The only black school in Benton, C.H. Irion High School, became Benton Elementary School; for the first time in Bossier School History blacks and whites were able to go to the same school. Benton High School currently teaches grades 9-12.
Controversies
Bossier Parish Schools was criticized when staff emails were published displaying a cavalier attitude about teaching creationism directly from the bible to students. One teacher, Carolyn Goodwin, mentioned that "We pray at school functions and probably break the law all the time!!” In February 2017, Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a federal lawsuit alleging a variety of unconstitutional practices. The lawsuit was filed by multiple anonymous plaintiffs, represented by Americans United, alleging official prayers were at school events, many school events being held in churches. Classroom teachers taught creationism and required students to recite prayers. Teachers and coaches also promoted religious student clubs and off-campus religious events. Religious items were displayed in classrooms and offices., A joint consent decree between the Bossier Parish School Board and the Bossier parents represented by Americans United was filed with the U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana on January 22, 2018. This consent decree would end official prayers, teacher proselytizing to students, teachings of creationism, religious displays, or staff organizing any religious activities at Bossier Parish Schools. It would also require the district to create a monitoring committee to identify and resolve any future violations. In September 2017 in reaction to the protests by professional athletes during the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner", the superintendent of the Bossier Parish School Board Scott Smith released a statement requiring all athletes at schools in the parish to stand for during the playing of the anthem. The statement said, "Our principals and their coaching staffs have sole discretion in determining consequences should a student athlete elect not to stand during the National Anthem and they are making their expectations known to players and their families this week." A letter to parents and students signed by the principal of Parkway High School outlined punishments ranging from a one-game suspension or physical punishments such as extra running for failure to comply to removal from the team for continued protests.
