--------- Turn Good morning. Good morning and welcome to Bessie Wednesday, October 15, 2025. I'd like to call our meeting to order. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Mr. Appel. >> Mr. Appel is present. Dr. Armstrong. Dr.
Armstrong's present. Mr. Burkin >> here. Mr. Birkkins present. Mr. Castile >> here. >> Mr. Castile is present. Miss Champagne >> here. >> Miss Champagne's present. Dr. Clark >> here. >> Dr. Clark is present. Mr. Harris >> here.
>> Mr. Harris is present. Mr. Hollis. Mr. Hollis is not present. Miss Holloway >> here. >> Miss is present. Miss Melerin, she's here. Mr. Morris >> here. Miss Mr. Morris is present. You have Coral.
>> Thank you. Thank you. We'll uh we'll start off our meeting this morning. Uh we ask everyone to rise and Father Josh uh is going to lead us with invocation. >> Don Pas and I just got back from a
mission immersion in in Sho Mexico where I was working with 40 Cathol who they take care of over 3,200 girls who are the forest of poor at the village of Mexico 40s then these girls education they get
a high school diploma they they earn trade well at nursing accounting in cooking and sewing when I was there they were they were building computers most beautiful thing for me to see all this work that's happening for these young girls who live in the slums of
But but because of the the work now they're doing pretty much at boarding school they are getting an education and they're getting formation that's preparing them to go back out the world wherever they want to see or to go back to their home villages be provided to
their their family. What most impressed me about these these sisters that I was working with in Mexico was the fact that every single day they spent an hour with Jesus in the morning, an hour with Jesus in the afternoon, and another hour with
Jesus at night, a full hour undistracted, focusing on the Lord, praising the Lord, looking at the Lord, listening to the Lord. And and they're busy, they're tired. is a boarding school. The girls that knock on their doors all the time, but they had so much
joy and so much energy and so much creativity in the work they were doing for these young ladies. And it was all the proof of their prayer. It wasn't their energy. It wasn't their insights. It wasn't their joy. It was the joy and the energy and the insight that they
were receiving for their time that was spent dedicated to solitude with God and prayer. And so as I asked God what he wanted me to share with you all this morning, I asked God to give me his heart for you. There were two specific scriptures that came to my heart, both from the Old Testament. One was from the
book of numbers whenever Moses was crying out to the Lord. He said, "This work you have been doing is so difficult." I'm sure that in your line of work, you might feel that same way. This is too much hard. But what God did for Moses was God the spirit that he bestowed upon Moses and he gave it to 72
others to help him in his work. And then the same happened with the prophet Elijah and Elisa. As Elijah was being drawn from the heaven said but I wanted double portion the spirit that was given to him be given to me and the Lord gave
him that double portion and he was able to continue doing the good work that Elishore and even greater work as well. As I pray, I receive the Lord there to like us to to ask God and in prayer this morning like Lord give us your grace.
Impart upon us your wisdom. Impart upon us your creativity and your knowledge and your insights and your desires and your plans and your projects for our kids for our students in this land. Lord, Lord, your ways are better than
ours. Even if we have an education and even if we have really good ideas, but they are not of you and from you, they will not bear fruit that will last. We desire for there to be fruit that will last in this land that we live in, in this land that we serve, for the
students that we are walking with, that we are accompanying and that we are forming. So Lord we invite God to give us a double portion of the gifts that you gave to the greatest educators this bestow those graces upon us that they will be good with those gifts that we
will be able to share those gifts with the students that we are entrusted with the teachers that we are trusted with the principles that we are entrusted with walking with the company with serv not not for our glory but for your glory. And most importantly, God, I ask
you is imparton every person here a desire or intimacy with you, a desire to spend more time, waste more time with you, not time interament for Psalms in David. In Psalm 127, David wrote this. Unless the Lord builds the
house, those who build it labor in the vain. So the Lord, we invite you to to build. We invite you to to knock down and destroy anything that you're doing that is not of you, that is not the good of the students, the teachers, and the
educators of this land. Not our will, God, but your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. >> My day is off to a good start. >> Uh so we want to follow up with that with the pledge and I would ask Shandai
Wilson to come forward from Dotto Parish. She's going to lead us in the pledge this morning. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you, Shandai. >> All right. First item on our agenda, please. >> Good morning, members. First item on the agenda is item 2.1, approval of the agenda. >> All right. Can I get a motion, please? Miss Champine. Uh, Dr. Armstrong. Thank
you. Is there any exception to the motion? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> The next item on the agenda is item 3.1, consideration of the recognition of community partners. >> And I get a motion, please. Miss Millerin, Dr. Clark. Thank you. I
believe Mr. Castile has this one. Mr. Castile. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Um after Father Josh's very brief uh prayer uh this morning. I am indeed inspired and he may not have known it or maybe he
did because it's it was said with the anointing of God and and it was a preface to the presentation that we're about to give today. And I suspect Father Josh had no idea who I was about to present. I'd like to present Mr.
Lauren Carrier. Lauren, would you please come up? Lauren is the executive director of Hope for Appaloosis. Have a seat. Lauren uh has done some extremely >> please join us at the table. Get comfortable.
>> You know, >> thank you. So hope for aosas and Lauren is going to tell you a whole lot about and I've got this script here to read but after that inspiring message it spoke so much to the work or hope for aisus because in my
small town where I grew up I had no idea that hope for aisus existed and I went and visited and someone said you should visit the campus in Apollois that's hope for aisus heard about it for years but had no idea in my little small town in
what my pastor would call the hood there is this wonderful oasis of hope that's happening in Apolloasis when I heard a campus I didn't realize what they had done and transform one little block into
this incredible place of learning and love there's this community garden no one would ever believe in Apollo that something was created like this and when you ask Lauren he will tell you his story which is rooted in faith
deeply in love for the community and I'm just in awe now I can't I'm I'm the talking piece this morning but my colleague Simone Chapan said we need to invite Lauren so that the world can see
the light that he is shining upon this community. So without any further ado, Father Josh, thank you for providing the inspiration to lead us to Lauren so that he can now share some very brief remarks about the wonderful work that he is
doing in my small town, my hometown, Appaloosis. >> Well, thank you guys. Those are some very humbling words. I will say that God answers prayers like the one we all just prayed together. And um and that's kind of how Hope propaloosis got started after I graduated college if you will.
Moved back to my hometown Apollois and uh just saw it with a new set of eyes. Um you know you you said we're in the hood and uh and Appaloosis has many challenges. Beautiful amazing people. Um and we're an outlier when it comes to poverty and all the things that follow
that. And so uh as a as a as a Christian um I knew that we needed to do something about it. These are our neighbors, our our family. And so we didn't need to go somewhere else to find the mission field. It was right there in our hometown. And so 17 years ago, we started Hoperopolis and we've grown from
12 kids in one little house to a a block of houses that we now own that are the the home for our afterchool program. We serve 120 students first through 12th grade with educational support, mentoring, uh spiritual formation, and leadership development. And uh it's an
amazing testament of what God can do whenever people pray prayers like the one we just prayed. Um our our board and our staff give the the the best of themselves to our kids and our families every single day. Uh we get the opportunity to see little kids grow from, you know, first graders all the
way to graduating seniors and then beyond. Uh we have a program that we call agents of hope where we invite high schoolers to work for us and those young people become the mentors for our elementary and junior high students. Uh it's a great example for these kids to
see people that are poured into them that they can look up to and then one day these young kids become the new agents of hope that are there every single day. So, uh, we believe that our community has the resources it needs to, um, to empower our community and we're just excited to stand in that gap and
position those resources in in the right way to be able to best serve our students. Uh, we had a we do some awesome stuff with our high schoolers where they get to learn about leadership development. We take them on high adventure backpacking and canoeing and trips across the country. In the course of four years, a kid will get to see both coasts of the United States and
then uh experience our national parks and and really learn some challenging experiences. I've had kids try to throw a mutiny on me on some of these trips and and I get to tell them, "Hey, look, the van's 20 miles back that way, but I'm going this way." And uh it's a it's awesome. These young people uh have made
my life so rich because of the relationships with them. Um and it's it's my my joy, the joy of my life to be able to do the work I do. Thank you for the honor of being here today. Thank you for what you do for our kids on a daily basis and uh we we appreciate you,
>> Lauren. The work that you do. Applause, please. >> Don't move. In a moment, we're going to take a picture with you because we want you to know that all of these folks here love you and support you. And I use the word love a lot because I got a blue shirt with yellow that says love on it
and it and uh and I wear it proudly and it is so important. The work that educators do from 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon is wonderful work, but it can't be done without people like you really pouring in the other hours when
we don't have them. And you do that in such an amazing way. I invite all of you to come and visit. come to the hood. >> Yes. >> Come to that neighborhood and see the beautiful work that's being done there. So, Lauren, if you don't mind, uh we're
gonna take a picture with you, ma, Mr. President, if that's okay. >> Yeah. Yes, sir. Just uh just certainly want to emphasize Mr. Castile's message. You know, you make Louisiana proud, so we thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Right there in the middle. put you center. We're going to go too
deep. Miss Champine, you had some comments to share. >> Yes, sir. Uh, well, first of all, uh, Lauren's story is very inspirational. The first time I heard him was at our children's cabinet meeting, and I was so inspired. I went home and I said, "We
have got to help Lauren and we have got to get out there." Well, I asked him. I said, "Lawren, would you do this in other communities?" Well, he's been doing it for 17 years. Uh, and he has built himself up. But what he has said is, uh, I will help anyone that wants to
start this on their own. So, we have to we he we have outreach. We don't want him to keep working harder. I do want people to know that. I believe I'm right, Lauren. Every dollar he raises fundraisers. He is not getting supplemented by any government entity.
Thank you. So I think it's important for us to support him his what he is doing in hope for aisus and u ask him to come into our communities and just speak to our pastors or anyone interested in this
type of outreach. But uh I was inspired by him on that day. I'm still inspired by him today and I'm actually inspired by two people today. So, it's going to be a really good day today. But thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, Lauren. >> Thank you, Miss Champine. Truly, we're
off to a good start today. Uh, next item on our agenda, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 3.2, consideration of the recognition of the 2024 Milin Educator Award honores. >> Can I get a motion, please? Miss Champine, Mr. Burkin. Thank you. Thank
you, Mr. Morris. Um, few comments, uh, just before we get started with presentations. Um, I just want to acknowledge the amazing educators in front of us today collectively. Louisiana has a pretty good story to tell. Uh, on the education front and you are the reason for that story. Uh, the
work that you all do every single day. Uh, you are, uh, exemplifying excellence in this field that we all love so much. And, uh, just want to encourage you to keep doing it. uh and keep doing it well. Um and I just want to give my personal thanks to all of you um for
just being, you know, amazing educators in your particular space. So, uh with that, Joanie Lacy on our team uh and Kelly Stomps will will run through a set of recognitions um with a number of different educators that we want to um display today so the
whole world can see the amazing work that they're doing. >> Thank you. Good morning everyone. I'm Joanie Lacy with the Office of School System Relations here today uh with several of my colleagues and department leaders and I'm grateful to introduce several
outstanding honores this morning. Honores, when your name is called, please come forward and remain upfront. Once all honores have come forward, we will take a group photo. We kindly ask everyone to please hold applause until all honores in a group have been named.
And starting with the Milkin Educator Award recipients. This national award, the Milkin Educator Award recognizes early to mid-career educators for outstanding achievements and future promise. Each recipient receives $25,000
unrestricted cash prize. And now to introduce this year's honores, Kyle Cook from Kauashu Parish. Ashley Davis, Central Community School District, and Charardai Wilson of Dodto
Parish. Congratulations to Louisiana's National Milk and Educator Award honores. Stay standing. They're gonna You can't see behind you, but they're gathering. Congratulations again.
believe we have to follow a protocol here and and get a motion for the next item. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> No. Okay. We could take them all in globo. >> Okay. >> Motion items.
3.9. >> Right. That's my thought. >> I just read your name. Okay. >> All right. All right. Thank you, Mr. Walker. >> The next item on the agenda is item 3.3, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 principal of the year honores.
>> The teacher and principal of the year programs recognize and celebrate the outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate success with students and exemplify excellence in the profession. Now introducing the 2026 state principal
of the year finalist, Anisha Ross, Dotto Parish, Kyle Bontinet, East Baton Rouge Parish. Hi False, St. James Parish. Christian Monson, St. Tamony Parish.
Tanya Cook, Terabone Parish. And now to introduce the division level honores. The elementary principal of the year is Brandon Singleton, St. Landry Parish. Middle school principal Jennifer Burus,
Boer Parish. High school principal, Dr. Anna Feay Camita of Tangabajoa Parish. And introducing the 2026 Louisiana State Principal of the Year, Justin Wax of Livingston Parish.
Thank you. All right, Mr. Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item. Item 3.4. Consideration of the recognition of the 2026 teacher of the year honores. Introducing the 2026 state teacher of the year finalists. Katherine Khaki
Wilrrich of Monroe City Schools. Carla Bron Mason of Hines Charter. Brittany Abear Lafayette Parish. Aaron Cosay Plaean's Parish and Elena
Crochet Buffalo of Whis Westana Parish. And now introducing the division level honores. The elementary school teacher of the year is Alli Oel of St. Martin Parish. Middle school, Tante
Poche of Ascension Parish. High school, Aaron Bob, Jefferson Davis Parish. And introducing Louisiana's 2026 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year,
Regina Hartley Beard of Zachary Community School District. Thank you. Congratulations. Mr. Walker, next item, please. >> Next item is item 3.5, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 new teacher
of the year honore. >> This award, the new teacher of the year award program is led by the office of educator talent and workforce development. The new teacher of the year award honors outstanding educators in their first year of full-time teaching.
And introducing Louisiana's 2026 new teacher of the year is Miss Olivia Francois of Ascension Parish. >> You're good. You're good. Dr. Walker >> and her mom. Mr. Walker. Next item on the agenda,
item 3.6, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 early childhood teacher leader of the year honore. >> Thank you. And this work is led by the Office of Early Childhood Care and Education. This program celebrates educators
working with our youngest learners. And introducing the 2026 Early Childhood Leader of the Year, Deanda Whittington Warren of Explore Learn Early Learning Center in Tangaboa Parish.
I work today. >> Mr. Walker, the next item on the agenda is item 3.7, consideration of the recognition of the 2025 Louisiana Public Interest Fellowship Honore. I do want to share also that uh today uh
she couldn't be here with us, but uh Louisiana's 2026 early childhood teacher of the year is Miss Brooklyn Johnson Botley of Kendare Head Start in Allen Parish, and we do want to give her a round of applause. And now for the Louisiana Public
Interest Fellowship. This work is led by the Office of School System Relations. The fellowship allows educators to lead an initiative of statewide impact. Introducing the 2025 public interest fellow. Meet Carara Beth Melton of St.
Tamony Parish. Beth's project focuses on improving math fluency through kits, peer tutoring, parents workshop, and a math fair. Congratulations, Beth. Mr. Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item. Item 3.8, consideration of the recognition of the Louisiana
Recruitment and Retention Fellowship Cohort 5. >> This work is led by the Office of Educator Talent and Workforce Development. The recruitment and retention fellows represent the fifth cohort of leaders working to attract and
retain effective educators statewide. And now introducing cohort 5 fellows. Stephanie St. Pierre, Ascension Parish. Brandy Grow, Assumption Parish. Dr. Chassidy Jenkins, Kauashu Parish.
Jeremy Aan, Central Community School District. Rebecca Brader, Discovery Schools. Allison Brown Lands, East Baton Rouge Parish. Brian Wax, Livingston Parish, Yicia
Dukes, New Orleans Public Schools, Jason Thompson and Toana Calhoun of Parish, Aaron Lawson, St. Bernard Parish, Kimberly Gails Johnson of St. John
Parish, Kelly Ravilelet and Dr. D Nicole Morrison of St. Landry Parish, Dr. Rebecca Wilson of Webster Parish, and Kayn Gocha and Yolanda Williams of
Zachary Community School District. Congratulations to our recruitment and retention fellow Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item is item 3.9, consideration of the recognition of Louisiana National Board Certified Teachers.
>> In just a moment, you will meet these honores. Uh afterwards, all honores today will be adjourning to networking receptions. One group will be attending a reception at the old state capital and it's generously sponsored by AEL and Dr.
Keith Corville. We sincerely thank Dr. Corville for his continued support of Louisiana's educators. And now I'm pleased to turn it over to my friend and colleague Dr. Dolores Cormier Zenine who will introduce the National Board
Certified Teachers. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Now we'll recognize the National Board Certified Teachers, a prestigious voluntary certification that signifies excellence in teaching. It's a rigorous
process that confirms educators meet high professional standards and make a lasting impact on student learning. Research shows these teachers consistently inspire growth, challenge potential, and help every student
succeed. Now, we will start by introducing Louisiana's new national board certified teachers. Emily Crier, Bojer Parish. Cameron Hall and Paula Lot, Cattle
Parish. Robin Clark, East Baton Rouge Parish. Kirstston McCaulay and Emily Miller Jefferson Parish Adria Herelman LSU Lab School
Emily Bisso Orleans Parish Allison Mlen Pla's Parish Crystal Malpas St. Tam Parish, Molly Bourke, Vermillion Parish. Pamela Middlebrook, Ascension Parish.
Heather Leland, Boer Parish. Sandra West, Cattle Parish. Melissa Knaps, Livingston Parish. The these that I'm naming now were unable to attend, but I'm naming them so that they are recognized as well. Uh Tamara Epson and
Candace Robelard, LSU Lab School. Halle Thompson, Orleans Parish. Lyanna Buckley, Washington Parish. Marjorie Ambrose, Plaan Parish. Angel David, Rapit's Parish. Stephanie St.
John Canrell, St. Charles Parish. Kimberly Faltonroy, Le Lesie Pelle, Chantel Smith and Gina Troyer, St. Tamony Parish, Michelle Miller, Tangeroa Parish, Tracy Zorn,
Terabone Parish, and Nicole Means, West Feliciana Parish. Congratulations and thank you for your continued excellence in Vestia. Okay, Mr. Walker. Next item, please, sir.
>> Next item on the agenda is item 4.1, uh, approval of the August 20th, 2025 meeting minutes. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion, please? Mr. Harris, Miss Holloway. Thank you. Is there any exception to the motion?
Hearing none, motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is 5.1, report of the state superintendent of education. >> All right. Can I get a motion, Dr. Armstrong, Mr. Castile? Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Morris. Uh, just a
couple of uh comments I think are worth uh sharing with with the board. Uh first of all we need to uh make sure that we congratulate the school systems across the state. The college board released uh annual AP results from advanced placement uh testing and uh really we
had fantastic results across the um state better than we have ever seen. Uh and in fact twothirds of AP exams that were taken by Louisiana students earned qualifying uh college credit scores. So uh if you're not familiar basically if a
student is enrolled in an AP course which is a high level course at the end of that course they take a standardized assessment that's given u uniformly across the country and if they score a three uh or better they have the potential to earn college credit and so
of the students who were enrolled in a course and took that rigorous test at the end twothirds of those earned a qualifying score. Um, and just to put that in comparison, in 2021 that number was 38%. Uh, and today it's it's uh, you
know, twothirds so in the in the 60s. Um, also it's not just uh more students hitting the qualifying score as a percentage. More students are actually earning credit. If we look at 2021, we had uh 7,000 students uh, earning
college credit and today we have uh near 13,000. So from 7,000 to 13,000. So um 77% increase is what we calculated. So just want to recognize the work taking place in schools around making sure that students have access to uh college
coursework or college credit rather in high school. So I want to acknowledge that. Uh the next information I wanted to share is that we did apply for um uh a federal charter school launch program that was made available by the feds. Um
and we had previously secured 55 million and we were able to secure most recently an additional 13.5 million. The difference is uh the original 55 million uh was for launch. So, for charter school launch, the difference is uh this
13 million that we just received is for schools that are already in existence for literacy, math, attendance, and work-based learning efforts. So, we'll be working with um our charters uh over in the next short order, Miss Dillson's team, as well as our finance and
operations team to make sure that they have that information and they can apply uh for those funds. Again, those are federal competitive funds. also want to make you aware that we've announced the dates for teacher leader summit in 26.
Um those will be May the 26th through 28 uh at the New Orleans Convention Center um party at Dr. Clark's house to follow. Um and so our our theme for this year is big ideas start here. And what we intend
to use that theme around are all of the big ideas that have led to improvements in our state uh as well as within local systems. big ideas that are that are showing promise in local systems. So, uh in the same way that our team goes out into the field, we're also calling
together uh through this event thousands of educators. And one change this year, we're incorporating our annual Fast Forward Summit into Teacher Leader. So, we're going to hopefully have about a thousand additional educators this year. So, it'll be bigger than ever. So, we're excited about that. Uh and then finally
uh I've had conversations with some of you about uh blue ribbon schools. As you are aware u the federal department of education cancelled the national blue ribbon program. Um and that that's that's fine. They can do that. I
understand that. Uh the complication was that several student I mean several schools in Louisiana had already been nominated and they felt like they were already going to be blue ribbon schools and then the program was cut at the federal level. So we are stepping in with our team um our school system
relations team uh particularly and we're going to um go out to these schools and we'll let you know of the dates. are working with the schools uh and we'll do a a presentation of a Louisiana blue ribbon to them um at their school site. So, we're we're
trying to make up for uh what was an unfortunate uh event for them. They got caught up in that. Um and I think that that will be those will be nice celebrations. But I wanted to share with you those Louisiana blue ribbon schools. Uh they're not US Department of Ed blue ribbon schools. They're Louisiana blue
ribbon schools. That would be uh Cane View Elementary in Iberia Parish. Um Cecil Pecard Elementary in Vermillion Parish, Early College Academy in Lafayette Parish, Hannes Academy in Jefferson, Malberry Elementary in Turbone, uh South Live Oak Elementary in
Livingston, and two non-publiclix, uh St. Dominic School in New Orleans, and St. Jude School here in Baton Rouge. So, we will be um uh recognizing those schools with the Louisiana Blue Ribbon on site at a date to be determined by those schools. Uh and so we'll keep you
informed of those dates. And Mr. President, that completes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Superintendent. Members, do we have any comments, questions for the superintendent? All right. Doing an outstanding job. Uh no comments. So, uh we'll go to the next
item, please. Next item is item 6.1, reports from members of Bessie concerning statutory and legislative task force or council appointees. Can I get a motion, please? Miss Millerin, Dr. Clark, um members, uh do we have anything to
share this month with regard to your participation in committees? Uh Dr. Armstrong. >> The nonpublic council has been working um trying to incorporate uh the legislative statute of 409, act 409. I
certainly want to commend Barry Carter, is Barry here, and Ashley Townsen because they have been working very closely trying to see from the state level what we can do to support them in those efforts. Uh Dr. Kingdom is also
been very supportive of this because it is a legislative act. It's not a Bessie uh regulation or anything. So, we just want to see what we can do to help them. >> Thank you, Dr. Armstrong. other uh other members with an
opportunity to share. Dr. Clark, >> if anybody have any questions about Tuency, um just please see me, Miss Pritchard or or Dr. Davis. I think we've heard enough about it. Um we do have a meeting, the task force meeting is this afternoon at 1 p.m. And so I will have a report at our next meeting in December.
And hopefully we'll have data that we will share with you guys at the December meeting that is pretty accurate after we kind of scrub through it um to make sure it's correct and we're giving you an accurate report. >> Okay. And that meeting is in this room, I believe. Is that correct? >> Yes, it is. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Clark.
>> All right. Any other shares? I just had one uh from the special school district board. Uh we did uh elect an interim superintendent while a permanent search is in place. So, Dr. Shirley Lewis uh who is who was uh originally on staff
will serve in that interim role uh and when we announce the uh the permanent uh uh replacement then uh we'll share that with the board as well. >> All right. Uh next item please. >> Next item on the agenda is approve of
board committee reports item 7.1 academic goals and instructional improvement committee. Dr. Armstrong. >> Dr. Armstrong. On behalf of the academic goals instructional improvement committee, I move to approve motions 1 to 21, noting that motions 15 to 20 are
notices of intent. >> All right. Uh uh Senator Bell, >> I just would like to object to motion 20. >> All right. Objection to motion 20. I believe that calls for a vote. Uh Mr. Welker.
[Music] We need public comments. >> So, uh, prior to a vote, we need a vote. Uh, but prior to the vote, uh, we do have some public comment. Uh, so I'd like to, uh, give those folks an opportunity. Uh, so I'd like to call, uh, Superintendent Edith Walker, uh,
Superintendent uh, Jason uh, Van Metra, and Superintendent David Claxton to the table if you would. So we is >> Mr. Morris. Excuse me. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Yes, Mr. Holloway.
>> Can you indicate what is he opposing? >> Well, um I'm I'm being advised of the appropriate procedure. Uh Miss Holloway, uh right now we've got a motion on the floor. Um, and we we're going to uh hear public comment on that motion. Uh, then
we're going to ask for a second to the motion. Uh, and then we're going to vote uh on that second. Uh, my understanding is that's the appropriate process right now. However, I >> I just want to be clear also on Yes, sir. >> procedurally. >> Yes, sir.
>> There was a motion to approve motions 1 through 21, noting that motions 15 through 20 are notices of intent. >> Right. >> Mr. Appel said he objected to a particular motion, >> right? >> Should we address the particular motion that's being objected to first?
>> That's what I'm questioning. >> First, >> so what we're going to do is first we need to get a second to >> I would withdraw my objection at this time until there's a second. >> Thank you. So could we get a second procedurally?
>> I'll second that motion. And so what we will do clear out all the motions except the one he objected and then I will come back and read it in and we will deal with it separate. >> All right. >> Well, I don't think you can do that because the specific wording of this
motion that Dr. Armstrong made in was inclusive of number 20. So unless you have a unless she withdraws her motion and excludes 20 and then we bring up 20, you can't really do what you want to do. motion 20 is being pulled as a read and
therefore all others are now up for consideration for approval. >> Correct. Right. All right. >> Yes. >> And so you're going to second that motion, Mr. Castile. >> Right. Thank you. So we've got a motion on the floor with one exclusion noting one exclusion. We've got a second and now we're opening the floor to public comment. Sorry for the delay,
Superintendent. Uh but we do want to follow public meeting law as as best we can. So thank you for your indulgence. Ma mass one other sorry we're still at ball here sorry >> Mr. get >> because motion 20 has been excluded and the others have not been. Can we approve
those motions and then take up the one motion Kretta has been objected to? >> I I'm not sure we can do that before we have public comment. >> Are there public comments on anything other than motion 20? >> There you go. >> What's motion 20? >> I will talk the banking.
>> The banking. Yes, that's what we're here for. >> Figured as much. But when you say motion 20, we don't. >> I apologize. >> We're trying to guess that out here. Yeah. So, so are we. Uh so, uh so members, um we've got a second on the
floor noting the uh exclusion. So, is there any exception uh to the motion that's on the floor? All right. Hearing none. Motion passes. >> Next item, please >> make motion. Next, >> I'm sorry. I believe we we have another motion,
>> right? Motion 20, >> Mr. War, what we're about to do next. >> So, in your packet we handed you this morning that we're referring to motion 20 is the draft minute. So, I have to read it in to the record. And motion 20
is on motion of Dr. Armstrong, second by Mr. Castile. The academic goals and instructional improvement committee recommends that the board approve as a notice of intent revisions to bulletin 111 the Louisiana school district and state accountability systems section
1903 inclusion of students specifically related to the banking of algebra 1 scores for students who score master and above on high school um leap 2025 assessments during the middle school year. Further, the committee recommends that the board direct LDOE to submit a
waiver request to E of EA requirements to the United States Department of Education until new comprehensive assessments are administered. >> All right. So, we have a uh Could I get a motion uh to proceed with that? >> Dr. Armstrong. >> Dr. Armstrong, can I get a second?
>> Second, >> Mr. Castile. Thank you. And uh Senator Appel objects. All right. So, now we're looking for some public comment. Can you help us out? >> All right. >> David Claxton, executive director of
Louisiana Association of School Superintendent. I'm not going to go through Mr. Pal's speech yesterday. Y'all all heard that. So, I'm just going to uh second that for him yesterday and hope that you would support the motion from yesterday, the vote, and that's what our association would hope you do
today. So, my com. Thank you, Superintendent Walker. >> Dr. Edith Walker, superintendent for Ascension Public Schools. I'm here just to simply request that you actually move forward with the recommendation that was made on yesterday. I serve um around
7,000 high school students. We have five high schools. And so, the removal of the banking of scores affected four of our major high schools by one point SPS point or more in a negative direction. And so I would love if you would just continue to allow us to bank scores. I
realize that it is not your decision, but we are asking that you request that this be allowed for the next two years so that our schools can continue to perform the way that they have performed in the past. So thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent
>> Jason Vaner. I am superintendent of Cauc Parish Public Schools. Um, you know, I've spoken to you on this issue before and uh would just like your continued support um to ask for the waiver from the state department or from the US Department of Education uh for the next
two years until the new comprehensive tests come in. Um like Dr. Walker. Um when the data came out from the LDOE on uh our high school scores uh that uh we saw a significant uh drop for example in our highest our highest rated
high school uh on SPS. We saw a little over a four-point drop uh in one of our high schools that struggle. Um we saw about a four-point drop. Um, so this is not something that just affects uh schools that are very high performing or schools that are that are uh struggling.
This affects everybody. Um, and I think what you saw with the data from the state is you saw everybody even the districts that don't bank that are in that data. And so what we would what we would ask is that you consider those those districts that uh do offer eighth
grade algebra um and that you um continue to support us um and and ask for the waiver from the US Department of Ed. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. All right, Mr. Walker. Uh roll call, please.
>> Mr. President, I'm sorry. Mr. Harris, >> can you For the record, explain what a yes vote does and what a no vote does. >> Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Harris. Mr. Walker. >> Yes, sir. A yes vote confirming the
recommendation that was made from the AGI committee yesterday. A no vote is to undo the recommendation from the committee yesterday. >> Thank you, Mr. Welcome. >> Thank you for that clarification. Do we have other questions before the vote? Mr. Bergen?
>> Are we sure? If if the if the motion is the objection, then a yes would confirm the objection. >> The motion on the floor is from Dr. Armstrong, seconded by Mr. Castile to approve it. >> Where is Mr. Appel's?
>> He objected and which requires the roll call vote. >> So a >> Yeah. So So go ahead one more time. So a yay vote is equivalent to >> a yay vote is to confirm the recommendation from the committee yesterday. A no vote is to undo the
recommendation from yesterday. >> Right. So yay is in favor. Nay is opposed. Got it. All right. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Appel, >> no. >> Mr. Appel votes no. Dr. Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong vote yes. Mr. Berkin,
>> no. >> Mr. Berkin votes no. Mr. Castile. Mr. Ksteel votes yes. Miss Champagne, >> no. >> Miss Champagne votes no. Dr. Clark, >> yes. >> Dr. Clark votes yes. Mr. Harris, >> yes.
>> Mr. Harris votes yes. Mr. Hollis is not present. Miss Holloway, >> yes. >> Miss Holloway votes yes. Miss Melerin. >> Miss Meler votes yes. Mr. Morris >> no. >> Mr. Boris votes no. Motion passes. >> Thank you.
I believe we're at next item, please. Next item is item 7.2. Uh board administration education education finance committee. Mr. Burkin.
>> On behalf of the board administration and education finance committee, I move to approve motions 1 through 28. >> Can I get a second? Miss Shan Pine. Is there any exception to the motion? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. Item 7.3, Educator Effectiveness
Committee. >> On behalf of the Educator Effectiveness Committee, I move to approve motions 1 through 14, noting that motion five is a notice of intent. >> Thank you. Can I get a second, please, Miss Meerin? Thank you. Is there any exception
hearing? None. Motion passes item on 7.4. Mr. On behalf of the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee, I move to approve motions one through two. >> Thank you, sir. Can I get a second, Mr.
Holloway? Thank you. Any exception? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 7.5, school innovation and turnaround committee. Mr. Cast, >> on behalf of the school innovation and turnaround committee, I move to approve motions one through two.
>> Thank you, Mr. Castile. Second, Miss Shampine. Is there any exception to the motion? hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 8.1, consideration of a update report regarding Bessie Tours 2.0. >> Thank you. Can I get a second, please?
Mr. Burkin. Uh, so members, um, I ask for this one to be added to to our agenda. Uh, we've concluded, uh, their original Bessie tour, uh, visiting every uh, Bessie district, and I believe we got Mr.
Harris's district twice. So double emphasis there. Um but we uh I thought I think the feedback I got was was that it was a very positive effort. Uh engagement at every stop was was very good both with our community and our education partners. Uh and so there's
been a lot of interest in a in a Bessie bridging success 2.0. Uh in our original tour, our focus was uh to promote uh advise and share some examples for successful examples for high school internships. Uh and so the conversation
now is what what's the scope Bessie 2.0 bridging success? uh you know will will we uh tour the state again uh with that same uh focus on on bridging on uh high school internships to uh you know to
further momentum that's been in place. Uh will we consider adding to that? We we've got a couple of significant issues before us right now with attendance and and the AI innovation that school systems are asking us about. Uh but we're we're already at uh October with
only one more Bessie meeting this year in December. Uh and so if we're going to conduct a Bessie 2.0, uh we need to get started. Uh and and so first step there would be to confirm that is what we want to do and then what is the scope of of
that tour look like. So I wanted to put that out there for discussion and uh appreciate your feedback, Mr. Castile. >> Uh thank you, Miss Morris. Um, we had a discussion a couple of months ago. Um,
and it was one of the best discussions that we have with Bessie and it was around what can we do? What more can we do to move the state of Louisiana using our purchase of being on Bessie being
elected and appointed officials where we can make an impact uh sometimes beyond what we do in the classroom. Uh there was some data that was shared around the poverty rate challenges that are faced and it really goes back to the work of
Mr. Lauren Carrier and uh you've got this gentleman, but you've got so many other people that are doing more to advance the quality of life for our communities. That is such a critical piece. And if we can marry communities
together, that effort, the work that we do, the hard work with our educators and what's happening in the community, that perhaps we can take on some of those bigger issues. We have the incredible luxury and honor this Bessie to have
four former legislators. This is remarkable in the history of Bessie and with that history and knowledge and connectivity to the state and the community. I think it's a huge huge opportunity for us and we were sort
of challenged in that discussion that we had if you all will recall to think beyond what we've been thinking in the past and for the legislators who have in their professional responsibilities in the past have not limited their issues just to education I think that would be
a valuable ad to our discussion and being able to pull from their experience. So I would ask that as we consider this tour that we push ourselves beyond just those very specific things that we worked on in the
past to engage communities um business and industry. How to better improve those other issues social economic that impact children and their ability to be successful beyond kindergarten through
12th grade. Thank you for that. I want to shift to Miss Holloway. Uh Miss Holloway. >> Sure. Um thank you Mr. Morris. Uh Bessie uh office has asked that I give a report on the update of um bridging success
tour and we're moving forward to 2.0. So I may repeat some of those things that you have said, but as the purpose and vision of our 2.0 and please note that Mr. Morris has assigned me as the Bessie member to work with the Bessie office as
we move forward with the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education launched the Bridging S um success tour to strengthen partnerships among school systems, business, and industry leaders and economic development organizations. The
tour's goal was to expand work-based learning, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities for Louisiana students, helping bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. We're aware that the state umwide tour began in Baton Rouge November 19th,
2024, and included um eight regional stops from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. company, Lafayette, Tibet, Monroe, Alexandra, Shreport and ended concluded the tour October 1st in Boer City this
year. Each stop featured collaboration among Bessie, LDOE, the workforce commission and um the impact and the participation led our um educators, businesses,
industry representatives and community leaders across this state to have engaged over hundreds of these individuals. Looking ahead, Bridging Success 2.0, know we are in the process of uh sending
a survey to each region that we visited to gain feedback on those tours. The surveys will be completed by the end of November. Right, Reene? That's correct. And we thank her for taking the lead now. Jada, I think she's in here. Oh,
there she is. Thank you for 1.0. Appreciate Oh, she's on. I'm think Dar, I'm sorry. Dario, thank you. Um and so building on the success of this first tour, Bessie will launch the 2.0 that will focus on emerging education and
workforce priorities. The next phase will incorporate conversations around AI in classrooms and workforce development as well as truency, student engagement as critical factors, early childhood,
quality programs, possibly information that you just gave u Mr. Castile etc. But if you have any other ideas, um, Reene, we'll be in touch and through the survey hopefully we'll get more information of what does 2.0 look like?
How many times will we visit throughout the year? Is it 12, is it six, or is it five? Or where are we going to have these tours? So, please note, Bridging Success 2.0 know will continue to bring together education, business, community partners to ensure every Louisiana
student is equipped for college, career, and life. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hall. And I apologize. I was not aware you had a presentation prepared, so I apologize for that. >> Um, >> good. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Dr. Lord, >> quickly I want to do a recusal of item
4.3 stronger connections the appropriation allocation because a few dollars from E. >> Thank you for that clarification Dr. Mr. Walker you captured that >> it make sure I'm correct for the record. We're you're recusing on an item that
was on the board administration education finance. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> 4.3 stronger connections small grant that I'm grateful for. We will make sure that's noted in the record >> and and and we're and we're the outcome. So,
>> great attendance. Yes. >> Thank you for that. >> All right. Uh uh Senator Pel, I'm sorry. >> So, first of all, congratulations, Dr. Clark, on the the award. >> Maybe it'll grow like a seed. >> Yes. >> Uh I have a slightly different take on
on the tours. Um and I've expressed this to some extent in the past. From a political perspective, from an impact perspective, I that we consider a tour focused solely
on school boards in their districts. In other words, we'll go to Mr. Paris's district and we'll have an event to invite of course I know some of these districts are huge and so it may mean multiple visits but in specifically invite
schoolboard members to roundt discussion just with Bessie and the school boards and department of education and maybe in including workforce commission and maybe including department of economic development. The reason for that is in my estimation the school boards in the
local districts are the closest to the people that you're going to get and you're going to find a lot of very influential folks on school boards both political and business and education. Um, and I just don't think from from the
the events that I attended, I found that schoolboard attendance at our previous events was very low. I didn't attend, it was higher, but the ones that I did attend, uh, I thought it was a little low. I just think it would be extremely important for us to spend
some quality time in the districts with the school boards. And like I say, it might mean multiple trips because some of these districts cover large geographical areas. And so that that's my take on this. Instead of doing a
broad brush approach, focus on uh the school boards. Maybe every other year we do the broad brush approach and do the odd year we do the school boards or something. But that's that's my suggestion. >> Thank you. Very good. >> Would um would you would you consider
um We can always use a little levity every once in a while, Senator Bell. So, appreciate your contribution. Um, just wondering if if uh if you would consider uh that that would be potentially be a component of of a visit
that we have a a specific uh where we would meet with schoolboard members. And then I'm wondering if there's any particular wondering if there's any particular topic that that you would want to uh address with the schoolboard members.
Well, number one, I think it needs to be focused and uh intense. That's in other words, if you do a broad brush and you invite the public and everybody else, not that they wouldn't be invited, but they wouldn't be at the table. >> Um you're not going to get the impact.
>> Got it. >> Uh and then as far as the issues, I think we it's a listening tour. We listen to them. We both ways. We tell them what the logic that we're following is um and then we listen to them and get their reaction. But I think I think
there's a break personally and and maybe you guys think I'm completely off base. I just think >> there's a levity point right now. We've established that, right? >> Yeah, that's it. I just think there's a uh failure to communicate with school boards and I think this is a great
opportunity for us to utilize that. >> I think there's some wisdom in that. Uh Mr. Burkin, I believe you had your hand up next >> to u preface my comments. Dr. Brumley had given us some numbers uh new numbers on some apprenticeships and
internship um spots filled. Um I think we went from Dr. Brimley a few hundred to a couple of thousand this year. >> Yeah, I think whenever um Mr. to still asked the question for the last board
meeting. We were around 1,300 that we had secured as an agency, Dr. Singleton and her team. Um, and that that's not even counting the ones that the school systems have necessarily um confirmed on their own. But but to date, I want to say we're around 2,300 that we've we've
been able to secure internships as an agency that are available for students throughout the state. My >> my point to that Thank you. My point to that is it's catching on and a 2.0 um without
apprenticeships and internships or workforce development and that type of thing I think would um be a mistake. I think we just should add to that because that it is catching on across the state. So if we reinforce that amongst the
other things that are here, if we reinforce that, I think that would be a good thing and we could really up that number even more. I mean it it it jumped up by a couple of you know 1500 2,000 now. Um just think we can do it could
jump up significantly again. >> Great. I like that. So recognize uh what we've accomplished so far and what can we do to build momentum going forward. I believe Mr. Castile, I believe you were next, followed by Dr. Armstrong. >> Uh, yes, Mr. Burk. And I I agree. I think we build on the momentum that's
already been created. In response to uh Mr. Appel's remarks, I think that they're well placed. However, I'd really take into consideration that like in my district have 14 parishes, 14 school
boards. And so, we might want to take into consideration the logistics of how we do that. It's probably a multi-day event, a two-day event. I think that needs to happen. What you just mentioned almost in some ways seems like maybe even a separate event, but I think it's
crucial that we have that connection with the school boards. Um, but I'll just use my example. I've got 14 school boards. Um, and that might not be just a single event unless you want to come to my district every month, but um, but
just for consideration. >> Well, you you mentioned the the love that we share, Mr. Castillo, so maybe we can work something out. In >> fact, and and I'd be happy to host one of our tours. >> Thank Thank you for that. Uh, we we can certainly help work through logistics. Dr. Armstrong.
>> So, I'm going to agree with Mr. Morris, Mr. Castile and Senator Ael all three because I do think it's important that we pull in the school board members the superintendent and we listen more this time because it will
help us create our vision help us with our strategic planning and so we can really hear what's going on rather than us doing all the presentations. >> Great. Thank you for that feedback. looking to my lips. >> Just a reminder to please send your
suggestions to myself or Reene. It we're going to be planning it out and getting back with you. You will be kept a breast with everything be prior to that. Thank you for that, Miss Hallway. Appreciate your leadership.
Uh any other comments on the Bessie tour before we close this one out? >> All right. Thought that was some great discussion, some good ideas going forward, and Miss Holloway's got the lead on that. So we we know where to go uh going forward. Um Miss Holloway
um we don't meet again until December. Uh we we obviously want to get our tour organized and started as soon as possible. Um any any thoughts on uh between now and December or we just you just thinking about waiting till
December? What what are your thoughts on timeline? The timeline from what I know uh at the moment the survey ends in the end of November. I'm not quite sure if you'll have results by the next meeting
possibly. It depends on how much they can get through. you'll have the results of the survey, but in but giving you the um the timeline and what's going to happen for the next year will probably be in January because it's going to take
some time to lay out what is it that every board member wants from the surveys, from the questionnaire, etc. >> Right. I appreciate that. I just want to be sensitive to uh the remaining time in the school year and obviously I don't think we're going to get anything done in May. So that would just leave you
>> I'll come back with a a timeline and suggestion for you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other comments? All right. Hearing none. No exception to the motion. Next item, please. >> That concludes your agenda. >> Thank you. Part: 2
It's Good morning. Good morning and welcome to Bessie Wednesday, October 15, 2025. I'd like to call our meeting to order. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Mr. Appel. Mr. Appel is present. Dr.
Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong's present. Mr. Berkin >> here. >> Mr. Berkin's present. Mr. Castile >> here. >> Mr. Castile is present. >> Miss Champagne >> here. >> Miss Champagne's present. Dr. Clark >> here. >> Dr. Clark is present. Mr. Harris
>> here. >> Mr. Harris is present. Mr. Hollis. Mr. Hollis is not present. Miss Holloway >> here. >> Miss is present. Miss Melerin, she's here. Mr. Morris >> here. Miss Mr. Morris is present. You
have a coral. >> Thank you. Thank you. We'll uh we'll start off our meeting this morning. Uh we ask everyone to rise and Father Josh uh is going to lead us with invocation. >> Jonath in Sho, Mexico where I was working with
Catholic nuns who they take care of over 3,200 girls who are the forex 40s. They provide these girls education. They get a high school diploma. They they earn trade well at nursing,
accounting, in cooking and sewing. When I was there, they were they were building computers. the most beautiful thing for me to see all this work that's happening for these young girls who live in the slums of Mexico but but because of the the work they're doing with them
boarding school they are getting an education and they're getting formation that's preparing to go back out the world wherever they want see or to go back to their home villages to provide their their families what most impressed me about these these sisters working
with Mexico was the fact that Every single day uh they spend an hour with Jesus in the morning, an hour with Jesus in the afternoon and another hour with Jesus at night. Full out undistracted
focusing on the Lord, praising the Lord, looking at the Lord, listening to the Lord and and they're busy. They're tired. It's a boarding school. The girls that knock on their doors all the time, but they had so much joy and so much energy and so much creativity in the
work they were doing for these young ladies. And it was all the fruit of their prayer. It wasn't their energy. It wasn't their insights. It wasn't their joy. It was the joy and the energetic insights that they were receiving for their time that was spent dedicated to
solitude with God in prayer. And so as I asked God what he wanted me to share with you all this morning, I asked God to give me his heart for you. There were two specific scriptures that came to my heart, both from the Old Testament. One was from the book of Numbers whenever Moses was crying out to the Lord. He
said, "This work you have been doing is so difficult." I'm sure that in your line of work, you might feel that same way. This is too much hard. But what God did for Moses was God the spirit that he bestowed upon Moses and he gave it to 72 others to help him in his work. And then
the same happened with the prophet Elijah and Elisa. As Elijah was being drawn from the heaven said but I wanted the double portion of the spirit that was given to him be given to me and the Lord gave that double portion and he was able to continue doing the good work
that Elish and even greater work as well. I pray I receive the Lord there to like us to to ask God in prayer this morning like Lord give us your grace impart upon us your wisdom impart upon us your
creativity and your knowledge and your insights and your desires and your plans and your projects for our kids for our students in this land. Lord, Lord, your ways are better than ours. Even if we have an education, even if we have
really good ideas, but they are not of you and from you, they will not bear fruit that will last. We desire for there to be fruit that will last in this land that we live in, in this land that we serve, for the students that we are walking with, that we are accompanying,
and that we are forming. So Lord we invite God to give us a double portion of the gifts that you gave to the greatest educators this bestow those graces upon us that they will be good with those gifts that we will be able to share those gifts with
students that we are entrusted with the teachers that we are trusted with the principles that we are entrusted with walking with the company with serving not not for our glory but for your glory. And most importantly, God, I ask you is imparton every person here a
desire or intimacy with you. a desire to spend more time to waste more time with you. Not time inter of the world, the logic of you, Lord. The last scripture that has been on my heart, I've been praying for you again
from the Psalms in Psalm 127, David wrote this, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor and v So, so Lord, we we invite you to to build. We invite you to to knock down
and destroy anything that you're doing that is not of you, that is not the good of the students, the teachers, and the educators of this land. Not our will, God, but your will be done on earth as it is.
My day is off to a good start. >> Uh so we want to follow up with that with the pledge and I would ask Shandai Wilson to come forward from Dotto Parish. She's going to lead us in the pledge this morning. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, Shandai. All right, first item on our agenda,
please. >> Good morning, members. First item on the agenda is item 2.1, approval of the agenda. >> All right. Can I get a motion, please? Miss Champine. Uh, Dr. Armstrong. Thank you. Is there any exception to the motion? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please.
>> The next item on the agenda is item 3.1, consideration of the recognition of community partners. >> Can I get a motion, please? Miss Melerin, Dr. Clark, thank you. I believe Mr. Castile has this one. Mr. Castile. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Um,
after Father Josh's very brief uh prayer uh this morning, I am indeed inspired and he may not have known it or maybe he did because it's it was said with the anointing of God and and it was a
preface to the presentation that we're about to give today. And I suspect Father Josh had no idea who I was about to present. I'd like to present Mr. Lauren Carrier. Lauren, would you please come up? Lauren is the executive
director of Hope for Appaloosis. Have a seat. Lauren uh has done some extremely >> Please join us at the table. Get comfortable. >> You know, >> thank you. So hope for aosas and Lauren is going to
tell you a whole lot about and I've got this script here to read but after that inspiring message it spoke so much to the work or hope for aisus because in my small town where I grew up I had no idea
that hope for aisus existed and I went and visited and someone said you should visit the campus in Apollois that's hope for aisus I'd heard about it for years but had no idea in my little small town in what my pastor would call the hood
there is this wonderful oasis of hope that's happening in Apolloasis when I heard a campus I didn't realize what they had done and transformed one little block into this incredible place of learning and love there's this community
garden no one would ever believe in Apollo that something was created like this and when you ask Lauren he will tell you his story which is rooted in faith deeply in love for the community and I'm
just in awe now I can't I'm I'm the talking piece this morning but my colleague Simone Shopan said we need to invite Lauren so that the world can see the light that he is shining upon this
community. So without any further ado, Father Josh, thank you for providing the inspiration to lead us to Lauren so that he can now share some very brief remarks about the wonderful work that he is doing in my small town, my hometown,
Appaloosis. >> Well, thank you guys. Those are some very humbling words. I will say that God answers prayers like the one we all just prayed together. And um and that's kind of how hope propaloosis got started after I graduated college if you will. Moved back to my hometown Apollois and
uh just saw it with a new set of eyes. Um you know you you said we're in the hood and uh and Appaloosis has many challenges. Beautiful amazing people. Um and we're an outlier when it comes to poverty and all the things that follow that. And so uh as a as a as a Christian
um I knew that we needed to do something about it. These are our neighbors, our our family. And so we didn't need to go somewhere else to find the mission field. It was right there in our hometown. And so 17 years ago, we started Hoperopolis and we've grown from 12 kids in one little house to a a block
of houses that we now own that are the the home for our afterchool program. We serve 120 students first through 12th grade with educational support, mentoring, uh spiritual formation, and leadership development. And uh it's an amazing testament of what God can do
whenever people pray prayers like the one we just prayed. Um our our board and our staff give the the the best of themselves to our kids and our families every single day. Uh we get the opportunity to see little kids grow from, you know, first graders all the way to graduating seniors and then
beyond. Uh we have a program that we call agents of hope where we invite high schoolers to work for us and those young people become the mentors for our elementary and junior high students. Uh it's a great example for these kids to see people that are poured into them that they can look up to and then one
day these young kids become the new agents of hope that are there every single day. So, uh, we believe that our community has the resources it needs to, um, to empower our community and we're just excited to stand in that gap and position those resources in in the right way to be able to best serve our
students. Uh, we had a we do some awesome stuff with our high schoolers where they get to learn about leadership development. We take them on high adventure backpacking and canoeing and trips across the country. In the course of four years, a kid will get to see both coasts of the United States and then uh experience our national parks
and and really learn some challenging experiences. I've had kids try to throw a mutiny on me on some of these trips and and I get to tell them, "Hey, look, the van's 20 miles back that way, but I'm going this way." And uh it's a it's awesome. These young people uh have made my life so rich because of the
relationships with them. Um and it's it's my my joy, the joy of my life to be able to do the work I do. Thank you for the honor of being here today. Thank you for what you do for our kids on a daily basis and uh we we appreciate you, >> Lauren. The work that you do. Applause,
please. >> Don't move. In a moment, we're going to take a picture with you because we want you to know that all of these folks here love you and support you. And I use the word love a lot because I got a blue shirt with yellow that says love on it and it and uh and I wear it proudly and
it is so important. The work that educators do from 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon is wonderful work, but it can't be done without people like you really pouring in the other hours when we don't have them. And you do that in
such an amazing way. I invite all of you to come and visit Forropolises. come to the hood. >> Yes. >> Come to that neighborhood and see the beautiful work that's being done there. So, Lauren, if you don't mind, uh we're gonna take a picture with you. M Mr. President, if that's okay.
>> Yeah. Yes, sir. Just uh just certainly want to emphasize Mr. Castile's message. You know, you make Louisiana proud, so we thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Right there in the middle. put you center. We're going to go too deep.
Miss Champine, you had some comments to share. >> Yes, sir. Uh, well, first of all, uh, Lauren's story is very inspirational. The first time I heard him was at our children's cabinet meeting, and I was so inspired. I went home and I said, "We
have got to help Lauren and we have got to get out there." Well, I asked him. I said, "Len, would you do this in other communities?" Well, he's been doing it for 17 years. Uh, and he has built himself up. But what he has said is, uh, I will help anyone that wants to start
this on their own. So, we have to we he we have outreach. We don't want him to keep working harder. I do want people to know that. I believe I'm right, Lauren. Every dollar he raises fundraisers. He is not getting supplemented by any
government entity. Thank you. So I think it's important for us to support him his what he is doing in hope for aisus and u ask him to come into our communities and just speak to our pastors or anyone interested in this
type of outreach. But uh I was inspired by him on that day. I'm still inspired by him today and I'm actually inspired by two people today. So, it's going to be a really good day today. But thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, Lauren. >> Thank you, Miss Shamp. Truly, we're off
to a good start today. Uh, next item on our agenda, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 3.2, consideration of the recognition of the 2024 Milin Educator Award honores. >> Can I get a motion, please? Miss Champine, Mr. Burkin. Thank you. Thank
you, Mr. Morris. Um, few comments, uh, just before we get started with presentations. Um, I just want to acknowledge the amazing educators in front of us today collectively. Louisiana has a pretty good story to tell. Uh, on the education front and you are the reason for that story. Uh, the
work that you all do every single day. Uh, you are, uh, exemplifying excellence in this field that we all love so much. And, uh, just want to encourage you to keep doing it. uh and keep doing it well. Um and I just want to give my personal thanks to all of you um for
just being, you know, amazing educators in your particular space. So, uh with that, Joanie Lacy on our team uh and Kelly Stomps will will run through a set of recognitions um with a number of different educators that we want to um display today so the
whole world can see the amazing work that they're doing. >> Thank you. Good morning everyone. I'm Joanie Lacy with the Office of School System Relations here today uh with several of my colleagues and department leaders and I'm grateful to introduce several
outstanding honores this morning. Honores, when your name is called, please come forward and remain upfront. Once all honores have come forward, we will take a group photo. We kindly ask everyone to please hold applause until all honores in a group have been named.
And starting with the Milkin Educator Award recipients. This national award, the Milkin Educator Award recognizes early to mid-career educators for outstanding achievements and future promise. Each recipient receives $25,000
unrestricted cash prize. And now to introduce this year's honores, Kyle Cook from Kauashu Parish. Ashley Davis, Central Community School District, and Charardai Wilson of Dodto
Parish. Congratulations to Louisiana's National Milk and Educator Award honores. Stay standing. They're gonna You can't see behind you, but they're gathering. Congratulations again.
believe we have to follow a protocol here and and get a motion for the next item. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> No. Okay. We could take them all in globo. >> Okay. >> Motion items 3.2.9.
>> Right. That's my thought. at this remend. >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Thank you, Mr. Walker. >> The next item on the agenda is item 3.3, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 principal of the year honores. >> The teacher and principal of the year
programs recognize and celebrate the outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate success with students and exemplify excellence in the profession. Now introducing the 2026 state principal of the year finalist, Anisha Ross, Dotto
Parish. Kyle Bontinet, East Baton Rouge Parish. Hi False, St. James Parish. Christian Monson, St. Tamony Parish. Tanya Cook, Terabone Parish. And now to
introduce the division level honores. The elementary principal of the year is Brandon Singleton, St. Landry Parish. Middle school principal Jennifer Burus, Boer Parish. High school principal, Dr.
Anna Feay Camita of Tangabajoa Parish. And introducing the 2026 Louisiana State Principal of the Year, Justin Wax of Livingston Parish. Thank you. All
right, Mr. Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item. Item 3.4. Consideration of the recognition of the 2026 teacher of the year honores. Introducing the 2026 state teacher of the year finalists. Katherine Khaki
Wilrrich of Monroe City Schools. Carla Bron Mason of Hines Charter. Brittany Abear Lafayette Parish. Aaron Cosay Plaean's Parish and Elena
Crochet Buffalo of Whis Westana Parish. And now introducing the division level honores. The elementary school teacher of the year is Ally Oel of St. Martin Parish. Middle school, Tante
Poche of Ascension Parish. High school, Aaron Bob, Jefferson Davis Parish. And introducing Louisiana's 2026 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year,
Regina Hartley Beard of Zachary Community School District. Thank you. Congratulations. Mr. Walker, next item, please. >> Next item is item 3.5, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 new teacher
of the year honore. >> This award, the new teacher of the year award program is led by the office of educator talent and workforce development. The new teacher of the year award honors outstanding educators in their first year of full-time teaching.
And introducing Louisiana's 2026 new teacher of the year is Miss Olivia Francois of Ascension Parish. >> You're good. You're good. Dr. Walker >> and her mom. Mr. Walker. Next item on the agenda,
item 3.6, consideration of the recognition of the 2026 early childhood teacher leader of the year honore. >> Thank you. And this work is led by the Office of Early Childhood Care and Education. This program celebrates educators
working with our youngest learners. And introducing the 2026 Early Childhood Leader of the Year, Deanda Whittington Warren of Explore Learn Early Learning Center in Tangaboa Parish.
I work today. >> Mr. Walker, the next item on the agenda is item 3.7, consideration of the recognition of the 2025 Louisiana Public Interest Fellowship Honore. I do want to share also that uh today uh
she couldn't be here with us, but uh Louisiana's 2026 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year is Miss Brooklyn Johnson Botley of Kenderare Head Start in Allen Parish, and we do want to give her a round of applause. And now for the Louisiana Public
Interest Fellowship. This work is led by the Office of School System Relations. The fellowship allows educators to lead an initiative of statewide impact. Introducing the 2025 public interest fellow. Meet Carara Beth Melton of St.
Tamony Parish. Beth's project focuses on improving math fluency through kits, peer tutoring, parents workshop, and a math fair. Congratulations, Beth. Mr. Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item. Item 3.8, consideration of the recognition of the Louisiana
Recruitment and Retention Fellowship Cohort 5. >> This work is led by the Office of Educator Talent and Workforce Development. The recruitment and retention fellows represent the fifth cohort of leaders working to attract and
retain effective educators statewide. And now introducing cohort 5 fellows. Stephanie St. Pierre, Ascension Parish. Brandy Grow, Assumption Parish. Dr. Chassidy Jenkins, Kauashu Parish.
Jeremy Aan, Central Community School District. Rebecca Brainder, Discovery Schools. Allison Brown Lands, East Baton Rouge Parish. Brian Wax, Livingston Parish, Yicia
Dukes, New Orleans Public Schools, Jason Thompson and Toana Calhoun of Parish, Aaron Lawson, St. Bernard Parish, Kimberly Gails Johnson of St. John
Parish, Kelly Ravilelet and Dr. D Nicole Morrison of St. Landry Parish, Dr. Rebecca Wilson of Webster Parish, and Kayn Gocha and Yolanda Williams of
Zachary Community School District. Congratulations to our recruitment and retention fellow Walker. Next item, please. >> Next item is item 3.9, consideration of the recognition of Louisiana National Board Certified Teachers.
>> In just a moment, you will meet these honores. Uh afterwards, all honores today will be adjourning to networking receptions. One group will be attending a reception at the old state capital and it's generously sponsored by Apel and
Dr. Keith Corville. We sincerely thank Dr. Corville for his continued support of Louisiana's educators. And now I'm pleased to turn it over to my friend and colleague Dr. Dolores Cormier Zenine who will introduce the National Board
Certified Teachers. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Now we'll recognize the National Board Certified Teachers, a prestigious voluntary certification that signifies excellence in teaching. It's a rigorous
process that confirms educators meet high professional standards and make a lasting impact on student learning. Research shows these teachers consistently inspire growth, challenge potential, and help every student
succeed. Now, we will start by introducing Louisiana's new national board certified teachers. Emily Crier, Bojer Parish. Cameron Hall and Paula Lot, Cattle
Parish. Robin Clark, East Baton Rouge Parish. Kirstston McCaulay and Emily Miller Jefferson Parish, Adria Herelman, LSU Lab School.
Emily Bissell, Orleans Parish. Allison Mlen, Plaind's Parish, Crystal Malpas, St. Tam Parish. Molly Bourke, Vermillion Parish. Pamela Middlebrook Asso
Ascension Parish. Heather Leland, Boer Parish. Sandra West, Cattle Parish. Melissa Knaps, Livingston Parish. The these that I'm naming now were unable to attend, but I'm naming them so that they
are recognized as well. Uh Tamara Epson and Candace Robelard, LSU Lab School. Hale Thompson, Orleans Parish. Lyanna Buckley, Washington Parish.
Marjgerie Ambrose, Plaan Parish. Angel David Rapitz Parish. Stephanie St. John Canrell, St. Charles Parish. Kimberly Faltonroy, Le Lesie Pelle, Chantel Smith and Gina
Troyer, St. Tamony Parish, Michelle Miller, Tangeroa Parish, Tracy Zorn, Terabone Parish, and Nicole Means, West Feliciana Parish. Congratulations and thank you for your continued excellence
in Vestia. Okay, Mr. Walker. Next item, please, sir. >> Next item on the agenda is item 4.1, uh, approval of the August 20th, 2025 meeting minutes. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion, please?
Mr. Harris, Miss Holloway. Thank you. Is there any exception to the motion? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is 5.1, report of the state superintendent of education. >> All right. Can I get a motion? Dr.
Armstrong, Mr. Castile. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Morris. Uh just a couple of uh comments I think are worth uh sharing with with the board. Uh first of all we need to uh make sure that we congratulate the school systems across the state. The college board released uh
annual AP results from advanced placement uh testing and uh really we had fantastic results across the um state better than we have ever seen. Uh and in fact twothirds of AP exams that were taken by Louisiana students earned
qualifying uh college credit scores. So uh if you're not familiar basically if a student is enrolled in an AP course which is a high level course at the end of that course they take a standardized assessment that's given u uniformly across the country and if they score a
three uh or better they have the potential to earn college credit. And so of the students who were enrolled in a course and took that rigorous test at the end twothirds of those earned a qualifying score. Um, and just to put that in comparison, in 2021 that number
was 38%. Uh, and today it's it's uh, you know, twothirds so in the in the 60s. Um, also it's not just uh more students hitting the qualifying score as a percentage. More students are actually earning credit. If we look at 2021, we
had uh 7,000 students uh, earning college credit and today we have uh near 13,000. So from 7,000 to 13,000. So um 77% increase is what we calculated. So just want to recognize the work taking
place in schools around making sure that students have access to uh college coursework or college credit rather in high school. So I want to acknowledge that. Uh the next information I wanted to share is that we did apply for um uh
a federal charter school launch program that was made available by the feds. Um and we had previously secured 55 million and we were able to secure most recently an additional 13.5 million. The difference is uh the original 55 million
uh was for launch. So, for charter school launch, the difference is uh this 13 million that we just received is for schools that are already in existence for literacy, math, attendance, and work-based learning efforts. So, we'll be working with um our charters uh over
in the next short order, Miss Dillson's team, as well as our finance and operations team to make sure that they have that information and they can apply uh for those funds. Again, those are federal competitive funds. also want to make you aware that we've announced the
dates for teacher leader summit in 26. Um those will be May the 26th through 28 uh at the New Orleans Convention Center um party at Dr. Clark's house to follow. Um and so our our theme for this year is
big ideas start here. And what we intend to use that theme around are all of the big ideas that have led to improvements in our state uh as well as within local systems. big ideas that are that are showing promise in local systems. So, uh in the same way that our team goes out
into the field, we're also calling together uh through this event thousands of educators. And one change this year, we're incorporating our annual Fast Forward Summit into Teacher Leader. So, we're going to hopefully have about a thousand additional educators this year. So, it'll be bigger than ever. So, we're
excited about that. Uh and then finally uh I've had conversations with some of you about uh blue ribbon schools. As you are aware u the federal department of education cancelled the national blue ribbon program. Um and that that's
that's fine. They can do that. I understand that. Uh the complication was that several student I mean several schools in Louisiana had already been nominated and they felt like they were already going to be blue ribbon schools and then the program was cut at the federal level. So we are stepping in
with our team um our school system relations team uh particularly and we're going to um go out to these schools and we'll let you know of the dates. are working with the schools uh and we'll do a a presentation of a Louisiana blue ribbon to them um at
their school site. So, we're we're trying to make up for uh what was an unfortunate uh event for them. They got caught up in that. Um and I think that that will be those will be nice celebrations. But I wanted to share with you those Louisiana blue ribbon schools.
Uh they're not US Department of Ed blue ribbon schools. They're Louisiana blue ribbon schools. That would be uh Cane View Elementary in Iberia Parish. Um Cecil Pecard Elementary in Vermillion Parish, Early College Academy in Lafayette Parish, Hannes Academy in Jefferson, Malbury Elementary in
Turbone, uh South Live Oak Elementary in Livingston, and two non-publiclix, uh St. Dominic School in New Orleans, and St. Jude School here in Baton Rouge. So, we will be um uh recognizing those schools with the Louisiana Blue Ribbon
on site at a date to be determined by those schools. Uh and so we'll keep you informed of those dates. And Mr. President, that completes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Superintendent. Members, do we have any comments, questions for the superintendent? All right. Doing an outstanding job. Uh
no comments. So, uh we'll go to the next item, please. Next item is item 6.1, reports from members of Bessie concerning statutory and legislative task force or council appointees. Can I get a motion, please? Miss Millerin, Dr. Clark,
um members, uh do we have anything to share this month with regard to your participation in committees? Uh Dr. Armstrong. >> The nonpublic council has been working um trying to incorporate uh the
legislative statute of 409, act 409. I certainly want to commend Barry Carter, is Barry here, and Ashley Townsen because they have been working very closely trying to see from the state level what we can do to support them in
those efforts. Uh Dr. Kingdom is also been very supportive of this because it is a legislative act. It's not a Bessie uh regulation or anything. So, we just want to see what we can do to help them. >> Thank you, Dr. Armstrong.
other uh other members with an opportunity to share. Dr. Clark, >> if anybody have any questions about Tuency, um just please see me, Miss Pritchard or or Dr. Davis. I think we've heard enough about it. Um we do have a meeting, the task force meeting is this
afternoon at 1 p.m. And so I will have a report at our next meeting in December. And hopefully we'll have data that we will share with you guys at the December meeting that is pretty accurate after we kind of scrub through it um to make sure it's correct and we're giving you an accurate report. >> Okay. And that meeting is in this room,
I believe. Is that correct? >> Yes, it is. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Clark. >> All right. Any other shares? I just had one uh from the special school district board. Uh we did uh elect an interim superintendent while a permanent search
is in place. So, Dr. Shirley Lewis uh who is who was uh originally on staff will serve in that interim role uh and when we announce the uh the permanent uh uh replacement then uh we'll share that with the board as well.
>> All right. Uh next item please. >> Next item on the agenda is approve of board committee reports item 7.1 academic goals and instructional improvement committee. Dr. Armstrong. >> Dr. Armstrong. On behalf of the academic goals instructional improvement
committee, I move to approve motions 1 to 21, noting that motions 15 to 20 are notices of intent. >> All right. Uh uh Senator Bell, >> I just would like to object to motion 20.
>> All right. Objection to motion 20. I believe that calls for a vote. Uh Mr. Welker. [Music] We need public comments. >> So, uh, prior to a vote, we need a vote. Uh, but prior to the vote, uh, we do
have some public comment. Uh, so I'd like to, uh, give those folks an opportunity. Uh, so I'd like to call, uh, Superintendent Edith Walker, uh, Superintendent uh, Jason uh, Van Metra, and Superintendent David Claxton to the
table if you would. So we is >> Mr. Morris. Excuse me. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Yes, Mr. Holloway. >> Can you indicate what is he opposing? >> Well, um I'm I'm being advised of the
appropriate procedure. Uh Miss Holloway, uh right now we've got a motion on the floor. Um, and we we're going to uh hear public comment on that motion. Uh, then we're going to ask for a second to the motion. Uh, and then we're going to vote
uh on that second. Uh, my understanding is that's the appropriate process right now. However, I >> I just want to be clear also on Yes, sir. >> procedurally. >> Yes, sir. >> There was a motion to approve motions 1 through 21, noting that motions 15
through 20 are notices of intent. >> Right. >> Mr. Appel said he objected to a particular motion, >> right? >> Should we address the particular motion that's being objected to first? >> That's what I'm questioning. >> First, >> so what we're going to do is first we
need to get a second to get >> I would withdraw my objection at this time until there's a second. >> Thank you. So, could we get a second procedurally? >> I'll second that motion. And so what we will do clear out all the motions except the one he objected and then I will come
back and read it in and we will deal with it separate. >> All right. >> Well, I don't think you can do that because the specific wording of this motion that Dr. Armstrong made in was inclusive of number 20. So unless you have a unless she withdraws her motion
and excludes 20 and then we bring up 20, you can't really do what you want to do. motion 20 is being pulled as a read and therefore all others are now up for consideration for approval. >> Correct. Right. All right. >> Yes. >> And so you're going to second that motion, Mr. Castile.
>> Right. Thank you. So we've got a motion on the floor with one exclusion noting one exclusion. We've got a second and now we're opening the floor to public comment. Sorry for the delay, Superintendent. Uh but we do want to follow public meeting law as as best we can. So thank you for your indulgence.
Ma mass one other sorry we're still at ball here sorry >> Mr. get >> because motion 20 has been excluded and the others have not been. Can we approve those motions and then take up the one motion Kretta has been objected to?
>> I I'm not sure we can do that before we have public comment. >> Are there public comments on anything other than motion 20? >> There you go. >> What's motion 20? >> I will talk the banking. >> The banking. Yes, that's what we're here for. >> Figured as much.
But when you say motion 20, we don't. >> I apologize. >> We're trying to guess that out here. Yeah. So, so are we. Uh so, uh so members, um we've got a second on the floor noting the uh exclusion. So, is there any exception uh to the motion
that's on the floor? All right. Hearing none. Motion passes. >> Next item, please >> make motion. Next, >> I'm sorry. I believe we we have another motion, >> right? Motion 20. >> Mr. War what we're about to do next.
>> So in your packet we handed you this morning that we're referring to motion 20 is the draft minutes. So I have to read it in to the record and motion 20 is on motion of Dr. Armstrong second by Mr. Castile. The academic goals and instructional improvement committee
recommends that the board approve as a notice of intent revisions to bulletin 111 the Louisiana school district and state accountability systems section 1903 inclusion of students specifically related to the banking of algebra 1 scores for students who score master and
above on high school um leap 2025 assessments during the middle school year. Further, the committee recommends that the board direct LDOE to submit a waiver request to E of EA requirements to the United States Department of Education until new comprehensive
assessments are administered. >> All right. So, we have a uh Could I get a motion uh to proceed with that? >> Dr. Armstrong. >> Dr. Armstrong, can I get a second? >> Second, >> Mr. Castile. Thank you. And uh Senator
Appel objects. All right. So, now we're looking for some public comment. Can you help us out? >> All right. >> David Claxton, executive director of Louisiana Association of School Superintendent. I'm not going to go through Mr. Pal's speech yesterday. Y'all all heard that. So, I'm just going
to uh second that for him yesterday and hope that you would support the motion from yesterday, the vote, and that's what our association would hope you do today. So, my com. Thank you, Superintendent Walker. >> Dr. Edith Walker, superintendent for
Ascension Public Schools. I'm here just to simply request that you actually move forward with the recommendation that was made on yesterday. I serve um around 7,000 high school students. We have five high schools. And so, the removal of the
banking of scores affected four of our major high schools by one point SPS point or more in a negative direction. And so I would love if you would just continue to allow us to bank scores. I realize that it is not your decision,
but we are asking that you request that this be allowed for the next two years so that our schools can continue to perform the way that they have performed in the past. So thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent >> Jason Vaner. I am superintendent of Cauc
Parish Public Schools. Um, you know, I've spoken to you on this issue before and uh would just like your continued support um to ask for the waiver from the state department or from the US Department of Education uh for the next two years until the new comprehensive
tests come in. Um like Dr. Walker. Um when the data came out from the LDOE on uh our high school scores uh that uh we saw a significant uh drop for example in our highest our highest rated
high school uh on SPS. We saw a little over a four-point drop uh in one of our high schools that struggle. Um we saw about a four-point drop. Um, so this is not something that just affects uh schools that are very high performing or schools that are that are uh struggling.
This affects everybody. Um, and I think what you saw with the data from the state is you saw everybody even the districts that don't bank that are in that data. And so what we would what we would ask is that you consider those those districts that uh do offer eighth
grade algebra um and that you um continue to support us um and and ask for the waiver from the US Department of Ed. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. All right, Mr. Walker. Uh roll call, please.
Mr. President, >> I'm sorry. Mr. Harris, >> can you For the record, explain what a yes vote does and what a no vote does. >> Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Harris. Mr. Walker. >> Yes, sir. A yes vote confirming the
recommendation that was made from the AGI committee yesterday. A no vote is to undo the recommendation from the committee yesterday. >> Thank you, Mr. Welcome. >> Thank you for that clarification. Do we have other questions before the vote, Mr. Bergman?
>> Are we sure? If if the if the motion is the objection, then a yes would confirm the objection. >> The motion on the floor is from Dr. Armstrong, seconded by Mr. Castile to approve it. >> Where is Mr. Appel's?
>> He objected and which requires the roll call vote. >> So a >> Yeah. So So go ahead one more time. So a yay vote is equivalent to >> a yay vote is to confirm the recommendation from the committee yesterday. A no vote is to undo the
recommendation from yesterday. >> Right. So yay is in favor. Nay is opposed. Got it. All right. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Appel, >> no. >> Mr. Appel votes no. Dr. Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong vote yes. Mr. Birkin,
>> no. >> Mr. Berkin votes no. Mr. Castile. Mr. Ksteel votes yes. Miss Champagne, >> no. >> Miss Champagne votes no. Dr. Clark, >> yes. >> Dr. Clark votes yes. Mr. Harris, >> yes.
>> Mr. Harris votes yes. Mr. Hollis is not present. Miss Holloway, >> yes. >> Miss Holloway votes yes. Miss Melerin. >> Miss Meler votes yes. Mr. Morris, >> no. >> Mr. Boris votes no. Motion passes. >> Thank you.
I believe we're at next item, please. Next item is item 7.2 uh board administration education education finance committee. Mr. Burkin
>> on behalf of the board administration and education finance committee I move to approve motions 1 through 28. >> Can I get a second? Miss Shan Pine. Is there any exception to the motion? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item please. Item 7.3, Educator Effectiveness
Committee. >> On behalf of the Educator Effectiveness Committee, I move to approve motions 1 through 14, noting that motion five is a notice of intent. >> Thank you. Can I get a second, please, Miss Meerin? Thank you. Is there any exception?
Hearing none. Motion passes. >> Item on 7.4. Mr. On behalf of the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee, I move to approve motions one through two. >> Thank you, sir. Can I get a second, Mr.
Holloway? Thank you. Any exception? Hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 7.5, school innovation and turnaround committee. Mr. Cast, >> on behalf of the school innovation and turnaround committee, I move to approve motions one through two.
>> Thank you, Mr. Castile. Second, Miss Shampine. Is there any exception to the motion? hearing none. Motion passes. Next item, please. >> Next item on the agenda is item 8.1, consideration of an update report regarding Bessie Tours 2.0. >> Thank you. Can I get a second, please?
Mr. Burkin. Uh, so members, um, I ask for this one to be added to to our agenda. Uh, we've concluded, uh, their original Bessie tour, uh, visiting every uh, Bessie district, and I believe we got Mr.
Harris's district twice. So double emphasis there. Um but we uh I thought I think the feedback I got was was that it was a very positive effort. Uh engagement at every stop was was very good both with our community and our education partners. Uh and so there's
been a lot of interest in a in a Bessie bridging success 2.0. Uh in our original tour, our focus was uh to promote uh advise and share some examples for successful examples for high school internships. Uh and so the conversation
now is what what's the scope Bessie 2.0 bridging success? uh you know will will we uh tour the state again uh with that same uh focus on on bridging on uh high school internships to uh you know to
further momentum that's been in place. Uh will we consider adding to that? We we've got a couple of significant issues before us right now with attendance and and the AI innovation that school systems are asking us about. Uh but we're we're already at uh October with
only one more Bessie meeting this year in December. Uh and so if we're going to conduct a Bessie 2.0, uh we need to get started. Uh and and so first step there would be to confirm that is what we want to do and then what is the scope of of
that tour look like. So I wanted to put that out there for discussion and uh appreciate your feedback, Mr. Castile. >> Uh thank you, Miss Morris. Um, we had a discussion a couple of months ago. Um,
and it was one of the best discussions that we have with Bessie and it was around what can we do? What more can we do to move the state of Louisiana using our purchase of being on Bessie being
elected and appointed officials where we can make an impact uh sometimes beyond what we do in the classroom. Uh there was some data that was shared around the poverty rate challenges that are faced and it really goes back to the work of
Mr. Lauren Carrier and uh you've got this gentleman, but you've got so many other people that are doing more to advance the quality of life for our communities. That is such a critical piece. And if we can marry communities
together, that effort, the work that we do, the hard work with our educators and what's happening in the community, that perhaps we can take on some of those bigger issues. We have the incredible luxury and honor this Bessie to have
four former legislators. This is remarkable in the history of Bessie and with that history and knowledge and connectivity to the state and the community. I think it's a huge huge opportunity for us and we were sort
of challenged in that discussion that we had if you all will recall to think beyond what we've been thinking in the past and for the legislators who have in their professional responsibilities in the past have not limited their issues just to education I think that would be
a valuable ad to our discussion and being able to pull from their experience. So I would ask that as we consider this tour that we push ourselves beyond just those very specific things that we worked on in the
past to engage communities u business and industry. How to better improve those other issues social economic that impact children and their ability to be successful beyond kindergarten through
12th grade. Thank you for that. I want to shift to Miss Holloway. Uh Miss Holloway. >> Sure. Um thank you Mr. Morris. Uh Bessie uh office has asked that I give a report on the update of um bridging success
tour and we're moving forward to 2.0. So I may repeat some of those things that you have said but as the purpose and vision of our 2.0 and please note that Mr. Morris has assigned me as the Bessie member to work with the Bessie office as
we move forward with the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education launched the bridging um success tour to strengthen partnerships among school systems, business and industry leaders and economic development organizations. The
tour's goal was to expand work-based learning, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities for Louisiana students, helping bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. We're aware that the state umwide tour began in Baton Rouge November 19th,
2024, and included um eight regional stops from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. company, Lafayette, Tibet, Monroe, Alexandra, Shreport and ended concluded the tour October 1st in Boer City this
year. Each stop featured collaboration among Bessie, LDOE, the workforce commission and um the impact and the participation led our um educators, businesses,
industry representatives and community leaders across this state to have engaged over hundreds of these individuals. Looking ahead, Bridging Success 2.0, know we are in the process of uh sending
a survey to each region that we visited to gain feedback on those tours. The surveys will be completed by the end of November. Right, Reene? That's correct. And we thank her for taking the lead now. Jada, I think she's in here. Oh,
there she is. Thank you for 1.0. Appreciate Oh, she's on. I'm think Dar, I'm sorry. Dar, thank you. Um and so building on the success of this first tour, Bessie will launch the 2.0 that will focus on emerging education and
workforce priorities. The next phase will incorporate conversations around AI in classrooms and workforce development as well as truency, student engagement as critical factors, early childhood,
quality programs, possibly information that you just gave u Mr. Castile etc. But if you have any other ideas, um, Reene, we'll be in touch and through the survey hopefully we'll get more information of what does 2.0 look like?
How many times will we visit throughout the year? Is it 12, is it six, or is it five? Or where are we going to have these tours? So, please note, Bridging Success 2.0 know will continue to bring together education, business, community partners to ensure every Louisiana
student is equipped for college, career, and life. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hall. And I apologize. I was not aware you had a presentation prepared, so I apologize for that. >> Um, good. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Dr. Lord, >> quickly I want to do a recusal of item
4.3 stronger connections the appropriation allocation because a few dollars from E. >> Thank you for that clarification Dr. >> Mr. Walker you captured that >> it make sure I'm correct for the record. We're you're recusing on an item that
was on the board administration education finance. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> 4.3 stronger connections small grant that I'm grateful for. We will make sure that's noted in the record >> and and and we're and we're the outcome. So
>> great attendance. Yes. >> Thank you for that. >> All right. Uh uh Senator, I'm sorry. >> So first of all, congratulations Dr. Clark on the the award. >> Maybe it'll grow like a seed. >> Yes. >> Uh I have a slightly different take on
on the tours. Um and I've expressed this to some extent in the past. From a political perspective, from an impact perspective, I that we consider a tour focused solely
on school boards in their districts. In other words, we'll go to Mr. Paris's district and we'll have an event to invite of course I know some of these districts are huge and so it may mean multiple visits but in specifically invite
schoolboard members to roundt discussion just with Bessie and the school boards and department of education and maybe in including workforce commission and maybe including department of economic development. The reason for that is in my estimation the school boards in the
local districts are the closest to the people that you're going to get and you're going to find a lot of very influential folks on school boards both political and business and education. Um, and I just don't think from from the
the events that I attended, I found that schoolboard attendance at our previous events was very low. I didn't attend, it was higher, but the ones that I did attend, uh, I thought it was a little low. I just think it would be extremely important for us to spend
some quality time in the districts with the school boards. And like I say, it might mean multiple trips because some of these districts cover large geographical areas. And so that that's my take on this. Instead of doing a
broad brush approach, focus on uh the school boards. Maybe every other year we do the broad brush approach and do the odd year we do the school boards or something. But that's that's my suggestion. >> Thank you. Very good. >> Would um would you would you consider
um We can always use a little levity every once in a while, Senator Bell. So, appreciate your contribution. Um, just wondering if if uh if you would consider uh that that would be potentially be a component of of a visit
that we have a a specific uh where we would meet with schoolboard members. And then I'm wondering if there's any particular wondering if there's any particular topic that that you would want to uh address with the schoolboard members.
Well, number one, I think it needs to be focused and uh intense. That's in other words, if you do a broad brush and you invite the public and everybody else, not that they wouldn't be invited, but they wouldn't be at the table. >> Um you're not going to get the impact.
>> Got it. >> Uh and then as far as the issues, I think we it's a listening tour. We listen to them. We both ways. We tell them what the logic that we're following is um and then we listen to them and get their reaction. But I think I think
there's a break personally and and maybe you guys think I'm completely off base. I just think >> there's a levity point right now. We've established that, right? >> Yeah, that's it. I just think there's a uh failure to communicate with school boards and I think this is a great
opportunity for us to utilize that. >> I think there's some wisdom in that. Uh Mr. Burkin, I believe you had your hand up next >> to u preface my comments. Dr. Brumley had given us some numbers uh new numbers on some apprenticeships and
internship um spots filled. Um I think we went from Dr. Brimley a few hundred to a couple of thousand this year. >> Yeah, I think whenever um Mr. to still asked the question for the last board
meeting. We were around 1,300 that we had secured as an agency, Dr. Singleton and her team. Um, and that that's not even counting the ones that the school systems have necessarily um confirmed on their own. But but to date, I want to say we're around 2,300 that we've we've
been able to secure internships as an agency that are available for students throughout the state. My >> my point to that Thank you. My point to that is it's catching on and a 2.0 um without
apprenticeships and internships or workforce development and that type of thing I think would um be a mistake. I think we just should add to that because that it is catching on across the state. So if we reinforce that amongst the
other things that are here, if we reinforce that, I think that would be a good thing and we could really up that number even more. I mean, it it it jumped up by a couple of, you know, 1,500 2,000 now. Um, just think we can
do it could jump up significantly again. >> Great. I like that. So recognize uh what we've accomplished so far and what can we do to build momentum going forward. I believe Mr. Castile, I believe you were next, followed by Dr. Armstrong. >> Uh, yes, Mr. Burken. I I agree. I think
we build on the momentum that's already been created. In response to uh Mr. Appel's remarks, I think that they're well placed. However, I'd really take into consideration that like in my district have 14 parishes, 14 school
boards. And so, we might want to take into consideration the logistics of how we do that. It's probably a multi-day event, a two-day event. I think that needs to happen. What you just mentioned almost in some ways seems like maybe even a separate event, but I think it's
crucial that we have that connection with the school boards. Um, but I'll just use my example. I've got 14 school boards. Um, and that might not be just a single event unless you want to come to my district every month, but um, but
just for consideration. >> Well, you you mentioned the the love that we share, Mr. Castillo, so maybe we can work something out. In >> fact, and and I'd be happy to host one of our tours. >> Thank Thank you for that. Uh, we we can certainly help work through logistics. Dr. Armstrong.
>> So, I'm going to agree with Mr. Morris, Mr. Castile and Senator Ael all three because I do think it's important that we pull in the school board members the superintendent and we listen more this time because it will
help us create our vision help us with our strategic planning and so we can really hear what's going on rather than us doing all the presentations. >> Great. Thank you for that feedback. looking to my lips. >> Just a reminder to please send your
suggestions to myself or Reene. We're going to be planning it out and getting back with you. You will be kept a breast with with everything be prior to that. Thank you for that, Miss Hallway. Appreciate your leadership.
Uh any other comments on the Bessie tour before we close this one out? All right. Thought that was some great discussion, some good ideas going forward, and Miss Holloway's got the lead on that. So we we know where to go uh going forward. Um Miss Holloway
um we don't meet again until December. Uh we we obviously want to get our tour organized and started as soon as possible. Um any any thoughts on uh between now and December or we just you just thinking about waiting till
December? What what are your thoughts on timeline? The timeline from what I know uh at the moment the survey ends in the end of November. I'm not quite sure if you'll have results by the next meeting
possibly. It depends on how much they can get through. you'll have the results of the survey, but in but giving you the um the timeline and what's going to happen for the next year will probably be in January because it's going to take
some time to lay out what is it that every board member wants from the surveys, from the questionnaire, etc. >> Right. I appreciate that. I just want to be sensitive to uh the remaining time in the school year and obviously I don't think we're going to get anything done in May. So that would just leave you
>> I'll come back with a a timeline and suggestion for you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other comments? All right. Hearing none. No exception to the motion. Next item, please. >> That concludes your agenda. >> Thank you. >> I don't know.
>> Yeah. I would call Mary. Looks like I'm still [Music] It's not the best. Don't say that. Don't miss I'm so glad someone says, "What are we
asking for? What's >> so glad that back from you?" >> I got a real quick. Well, that's what I was asking Conrad and he said it was different. I got but I you know I you know just want to make
sure but I didn't know what the >> but I didn't know what a sub the difference in substitute and an opposition and so how it votes differently >> great >> well I hope we advance your ideas from that
Just last meeting. the video. Sorry. >> I'm doing well. Good to see you. Showing up.