001Mhm. >> Dr. Kelly Joseph >> Present. >> Ms. Watson >> Present. >> Ms. Donna Jackson >> Present. >> All members are present. >> Okay. First item is to receive personnel updates. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening. >> Our report is It's a little short, very short actually. Um we only had over the last month we only had one resignation towards the end of the school year. Um we've listed that already as a vacancy for next school year. And we are in the process of starting our advertising process and recruitment um information for the summer so that we can get our teachers hired prior to the start of next school year. If you look at the dashboard report, this is just a few highlights for the last month. We've been very busy. We did have our
002district recruitment fair on April 30th. We're excited. Um well, um but the number of participants did increase. We had 30 plus participants to come by and show interest in working in the school district in various positions, not just teaching, but various uh positions around the board. So, we're very excited about that. We allowed them time to sit and complete their applications while they were here. Um we made sure we had all our departments that had vacancies available to them to ask those questions. Um we we also made sure that they are aware of like the salaries uh schedule and what the supplement pay look like once you're hired. Um we also, in addition to that, we had for our um non-certified teachers. We had LRCE and Reach University that was available for our recruitment fair.
003They all Miss Jackson along with the principal had the the non-certified teachers on a a schedule where they would come in and meet with the alternative certification representatives to discuss moving forward with that certification process. And then for Teacher Appreciation Week, we were able to give our teachers a special gift uh for all their hard work to help them relax. You all received one of that gift today sitting in your sitting in front of you in the black and gold box. Um it's like a it's a mini massager that you use to help relax. We wanted our teachers to know that we really appreciated them. >> Mine sounds like it's ticking. >> It's not It's not ticking. >> [laughter] >> Um we also started the end-of-year evaluation process a little early to give our principals
004and department heads time to time to begin the evaluation process early so they won't be at the last There's a lot of things that takes place towards the end of the school year. So, we didn't want to bombard them with everything at once. And we wanted to do things a little different this time and provide those evaluation forms to them a little early. At the end of the year, our teacher staffing positions were weren't terrible, but we did have some vacancies. So, at the College and Career, we're 75% staffed as of last month. And then at Shaddai, we were 97% staffed. And ELC, we were also 97% staffed. Uh the vacancies will be posted after tomorrow. So, starting Monday, you'll start seeing the vacancies on our website. And we [clears throat] also put them in
005our official journal so that we can be compliant with any um return-to-work teachers should they apply for those positions. Do you have any questions? >> So, at the fair did you get any pretty decent candidates you think? >> We did. We had we we were excited. Some of them had were coming from Mississippi. We had a few that came in from Mississippi as well. So, they reached all the way to Mississippi. And we were able to explain to them our process for the certification process. Um the ones that came in that I spoke with, they were not certified but they had their bachelor's degrees and we explained our process and our support system for our non-certified. >> It's different from Mississippi, yes? >> It is. It is. >> And and we're still helping the teachers
006with that certification? >> We are. We are. We uh on during the last meeting last month, I spoke to them about their individual certification plan. That's a plan that where they can take a form and write down their next steps to help them keep a track of their certification process. >> All right, thank you. Any other questions, committee? All right, thank you, Ms. Watson. That concludes the personnel committee. >> All right. Uh that concludes our committee meetings and we will resume our regular board meeting at 6:00. >> [music] [music] >> Hey. >> [cough] [clears throat] >> Father God, we come to you. Thank you, Lord God, for this day, for this hour. We thank you for this meeting, Lord God. We pray your blessings upon this meeting. We pray that everything is done is done
007with our God with our learners in mind. We pray for unity, understanding, and grace, Lord God. And as we prepare to leave, we pray for your traveling grace back to our destinations. And in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> 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. >> The meeting room will come to order. We are now holding a meeting of the Saline Affairs School Board. Roll call. >> Ms. Joyce Porter. >> Present. >> Ms. Lolita Porter. >> Present. >> Ms. Nancy Chaney. >> Present. >> Mr. George Hill. Ms. Virginia Bell. >> Present. >> Mr. Alton Travis. >> Here. >> A quorum has been established. Item B, approve minutes and
008agenda from April 9th, 2026 committee meetings, April 9th, 2026 regular board meeting, and the current agenda. Can I get a motion to approve those collectively? >> I so move. >> Motion by Ms. Joyce Porter that we approve those collectively. Seconded by >> Seconded. >> Ms. Lolita Porter. Any questions? No questions, she'll pass by general consent. Public comment. Got a request from Mr. Frank Robinson to address the board. And I would just want to warn you before you come on, Mr. Robinson, you have a 3-minute time. Mr. Austin Travis our timekeeper, you can come to the podium. >> Thank you. Uh so, I'm Frank Robinson, bus driver. Uh one of two owner-operators. And what I come to talk about is the fuel uh that I went up very high and uh I was trying to get
009some help with the fuel. I get 200 gallons a month. I have a bulk tank. And the 1st of January, I paid like $486 for 200 gallons. On the 2nd, I paid like $567 for 200 gallons. And on the 3rd, that same 200 gallons went up to $867. Then I guess paid Friday, and I ordered 200 gallons, it went up to $894 for the same 200 gallons. So, what I'm asking for is some help with the diesel. I think we have an uh agreement with the LAE that when fuel go up, we supposed to go up with the fuel. They go down to a certain level, they supposed to go so low that it don't go in the lower, but now the fuel done went up went up so high that each and every one
010of us know that the fuel done went up. And I'm coming to the board to ask for some help with the fuel. So, this is what I'm asking. Is there any way that y'all can help with the fuel? It's only two drivers, from my understanding, me and Ms. Morgan. And we have an agreement through the LAE that when fuel go up, we supposed to go up with pay for the fuel. >> Board members, I just want to make you aware that um I did speak with Mr. Robinson about this issue. The proper protocol procedure for this is that we have a a discussion or meeting with the union and that has not occurred yet. So, I'm asking that you allow us And today, of course, is the last day of school. So, we do have
011time to, you know, discuss that and have a meeting with the union so we can do it and uh do it properly. This is not the proper way to bring uh information like this before the board. So, I'm asking that you allow us to have a meeting with the union so that we can uh get through this process. >> I don't know. >> some kind of uh motion or that's just something that >> You may need it. >> Is that a president? Do you need something? >> No, we shouldn't need a motion if it's protocol. You go to the union first. Ms. Clark is here uh as the union rep. Is that proper protocol? That's the way it's done? Well, okay. >> Well, I didn't know the proper protocol because I talked to several people
012about it and it wasn't detailed to me to go through protocol. I mean, I asked about it, you know, and I was told a certain thing. So, I would ask to get on the agenda to discuss it. If I know we had to go through the proper protocol with the LAE, I would have done that. I wasn't told that. >> Yes, sir. It's in the agreement. It says the fuel stations used for this calculation shall be mutually agreed to by the board and the association. So, it is in policy. >> Yes, ma'am. >> It's in the agreement. >> Yeah. So, we have to meet with the LAE to sign. >> That's the proper steps. >> No problem. I'm not mad. I'm just bringing it to the board. I'm not upset with anybody. I'm not trying
013to go over nobody head. I'm just trying to get some help with the diesel. So, that's that's where I'm at. So, it's nothing personal to nobody. Diesel is high. >> Yes, it is. >> And I'm coming out of pocket. I think it's me and Miss Evelyn, so we trying to get some help with the diesel. That's all what this is. Nothing personal or nothing against going nobody over nobody's head or trying to be, you know what I'm saying? Just trying to get some help with some diesel. >> You understand this. >> Yeah. >> So, do you mind getting with Miss Clark and >> No, I have talked to Miss Clark, but I don't mind getting with Miss Clark to have a conversation. I talked to Miss Clark and she explained to me that it's supposed
014to be an agreement four times a year that you can look at it and the price supposed to be, you know, fluctuating. It's in the agreement from the way she explained it to me. >> It is absolutely an agreement and it's also an agreement that you know, we we have to negotiate those things. >> Is it four times a year or two times a year? >> I think what it was >> Two times a year. >> It was two times a year what I negotiated. >> Okay. I thought you said four, maybe I'm wrong. Two times a year. But I mean, we haven't negotiated in a years cuz the price have never reached the level that it is now. And we don't know when it's going to go down. >> We did negotiate a price.
015It was in February of 20 16. >> Yeah, we did that in 2016. >> years cuz it's 2026. Yeah, it's been a long time. >> Yeah, it has been. >> Yeah. That's all I'm asking that's for some help with the diesel. All right, thank y'all. >> Thank you. Item D, new business. Adopt the 2026 millage rates. All right, >> [clears throat] >> I have to read this St. Helena Parish School District Resolution. Be it resolved that the following millage are hereby levied on the [clears throat] 2026 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by St. Helena Parish School District. School District parish wide MT 1063-021 9.48 mills school district regular SP 1063-020 3.38 mills school district constant AM that 1063-031 5.00 mills school district SP 1063-048 16.40 mills and the school district bond 1063-047
0167.0 mills. So, there is a decrease there from the last time. Be it further resolved that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. Helena State of Louisiana be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes as herein above set forth upon the assessment roll of said parish for the year 2026 and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority according to law and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law. The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof and the resolution was adopted by the following votes. Roll call.
017>> Ms. Joyce Porter? >> Yes. >> Ms. Lolita Porter? >> Yes. >> Ms. Linda Chaney? >> Yes. >> Mr. George Hughes? >> Absent. >> Ms. Virginia Bell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Alton Travis? >> Yes. >> Five members present, one absent. Certificate, I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held May 14th, 2026, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting. Greensburg, Louisiana, the 14th day of May, 2026. Kelly Joseph, superintendent. So, can I get a motion? >> I motion that we adopt the resolution as read by >> Second. >> Motion by Ms. Virginia Bell, second by Mr. Alton Travis. Roll call. >> Mr. Horace Porter. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lolita Porter. >> Yes. >> Ms. Linda Chaney. >> Yes. >> Mr. George
018Hugh. Ms. Virginia Bell. >> Yes. >> Five Five yays and one absent. All right. Item two. >> You skipped me. >> Mr. Alton [laughter] Travis. >> Yes. Yes. >> Five yays and one absent. Item two, adopt of the authorized millage rate bond rates. So, it's a resolution as well. Whereas, the St. Helena Parish School Board has been informed of the option to withdraw certain amount of state funds invested into the state treasury pursuant to authority of LARS 39.99, Act 161 of the 2002 first extraordinary session of the legislature and our investment agreement. Therefore, be it resolved that the St. Helena Parish School Board does request the execution of the amendment to investment agreement with the state treasury pursuant to LARS 39.99, and therefore be resolved that the St. Helena Parish School Board does request >>
019Yeah. Yes, ma'am. >> So, wait. Let me get this right. So, what are we doing? Can I get a motion to approve the So, that was the one. Oh, a public comments. For um the millage rate bonds. Are there any public comments on that? No public comments? So, I should continue with this. Item four, the approve the resolution to withdraw 85,000 from the EEF tobacco settlement funds. Um It is hereby Therefore, be it resolved that the St. Helena Parish School Board does request the withdrawals of funds from the state treasury in the amount of $85,000 to be used as specified in our recently approved EEF plan for tobacco settlement funds. It is hereby affirmed and certified the foregoing is true and an exact copy of the resolution unanimously adopted by the St. Helena Parish School
020Board, Greensburg, Louisiana during regular session on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at which a quorum was present and voting. So, can I get a motion to approve the resolution to withdraw $85,000 from the >> literacy lab that we just had a grand literacy lab that we just had a grand opening for, technology, and some other um equipment we wanted to purchase for the schools. We do this uh maybe every 3 years we request a withdrawal of the funds from the EEF. Right now, we have about I think uh hovering around 250 to 300,000 in there. So, every 2 to 3 years when we need, you know, something that will go outside of our general fund, [clears throat] we request a drawdown. And so, this 85,000 went toward the bulk of it for the literacy learning lab
021that we had, some technology, and some other equipment for the schools. Can [clears throat] I get a motion? >> Ms. Cheney, I move that we approve the resolution to withdraw the 85,000. >> Motion by Mr. Alton Travis. >> I'll second. >> Seconded by Ms. Georgia Porter. Any comments? No [clears throat] comments? Roll call. Ms. Georgia Porter? >> Yes. >> Ms. Florida Porter? >> Yes. >> Ms. Linda Cheney? >> Yes. >> Mr. George Hugh? Ms. Virginia Bell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Alton [clears throat] Travis? >> Yes. >> All yay, one absent. Receive and consider for approval of legal services contract the metal uh litigation. >> Mr. Board President, we have two presentations um for you tonight, and I'm going to ask that we have Mr. Attorney, I'm sorry. We'll ask them to come up and present,
022please. >> All right. Uh good evening, school board. My name is Royce Duplessis. Uh I'm an attorney out of New Orleans. I'd like to just begin by thanking you all for your service to the children of St. Helena Parish. And I'm joined here today with uh Thomas Carey Wicker, who is also an attorney in New Orleans. We're here this evening to make you all aware of some litigation that's going on throughout this country, to make St. Helena aware of the the opportunity uh for for you all to potentially join, and to encourage you to to consider this litigation and what is happening with uh as it relates to uh Meta, otherwise known as Facebook. There has been uh federal litigation that's been filed that's in its very early stages. That is going after the negative
023and harmful impacts on our children as a result of social media. A lot of different social media platforms, but these cases are being brought on behalf of schools and school districts throughout the country. And it was referenced earlier some of the funds in the settlements of of tobacco. A lot of people compare what is going on now with the the the Facebook litigation, the meta litigation is similar to what took place many years ago with the tobacco litigation and the harmful impacts that that had on people throughout our throughout our country. I'm going to ask Mr. Wicker if he wouldn't mind just add a a little bit more information on the current status of the litigation, how it would work if this was something that you all would choose to pursue, but we're here just
024for the purposes of tonight just to provide you all some information. >> Thank you all so much for having us. Uh as Mr. Duplessis said, I'm T.C. Wicker. Thank you all. It's an honor to be before you. Uh the litigation is based in northern California adjacent to San Francisco. It operates similar to a class action lawsuit. And so for St. Helena to join the litigation, we would essentially file and fill out a series of forms that include documentation that St. Helena has. Um a whole bunch of this litigation has has proven in our experience, well, a lot of this is not necessarily documentation that school boards currently have. It's proof that what we need. And and a lot of the proof and the evidence has to do with uh news journalism that was started by
025The Wall Street Journal in 2021, where they uncovered a bunch of Facebook or Meta's internal data. So really the cases are being built on what is going on in there. It It shows that they knew that their products were causing harms, particularly to adolescents and and within adolescents, particularly to adolescent girls. And it was causing double-digit increases in a whole bunch of issues, and school districts were left holding the bag. School districts provide counseling or, in a lot of cases, need to provide more counseling. And so, a lot of it has to do with essentially what type of assistance school districts need to provide adolescents currently and going forward. And so, basically, we we'd be filling out a series of forms, working hand-in-hand with folks in St. Helena. Our experience is that this does not
026put any extra burden on teachers individually. It's generally administrative type of information. And so, the the theory of how we're trying to couch this is it's almost an understanding of the demographics because Meta's own internal studies are built on demographics. And so, we would file as part of this class action lawsuit. It's called a multi-district litigation, MDL, and we would just see where it goes. >> Thank you. And now we have another presentation from another attorney. [clears throat] Do you have >> [cough] >> Do you have any >> Can I ask them one question though before they begin? >> Yes. >> Are there any other school districts in Louisiana that's joined the litigation so far? >> Yes. >> So far, how many? >> Both of them. So. >> Yes. >> And the state of Louisiana
027as a whole has also filed. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> So, how many how many other school districts? >> Off the top of my head, I don't know. I mean, I can tell you that I know that Jefferson Parish has filed, Lafourche Parish has filed, Um, and then there are a number of other parishes that river parishes have filed. Um, it has not really been as much in northern Louisiana. There have been more southern Louisiana parishes that have filed, but there there are still a number that have not filed in including St. Helena Parish. >> Good evening. >> My name is Robert Folse. So, the first thing y'all probably want to know is why or how that I found out about St. Helena Parish. Well, I was talking to the superintendents for the and
028he mentioned that when I was talking to him about uh, the multi uh, district litigation concerning addictions that his daughter was a superintendent. So, that's how I recognize St. Helena Parish. Now, a little bit about me. I am presently the town attorney for Gramercy Sorrento and I serve in the legislature for 12 years. I am presently a justice of the peace for the town of Gramercy. So, I know as a public official uh, exactly what decisions that y'all make each and every day. I represent and am a part of litigation through the Milberg firm that has offices throughout the United And they recognize, just as it was presented just now, that there are addictions caused to high school students, elementary school students, and others. And that this addiction is causing harm to all of the
029children around the state and the country. There was a individual case brought in California that resulted in a $6 million uh judgment. There was litigation in New Mexico that resulted in a $375 million judgment. To get involved with a firm like Middleberg is a advantage because they pay all of the expenses for the litigation. They do a lot of the leg work, so you don't have to do the leg work. They go out and hire local counsel. One of the senior partners for Middleberg is a Louisiana resident. And that is Andrew Leman. Mr. Leman's father was previously on a Louisiana Supreme Court, and his mother presently serves in the US District Court uh in Louisiana for the Eastern District of Louisiana. So, our firm has ties to Louisiana as well as a national firm. Their
030main office is in Pittsburgh. They have offices throughout the United States. Uh one of the associates that I've been dealing with recently is Sreekanth A. And he is in the New York office. I have packets to pass out to y'all uh after my presentation. I've already I think emailed. Did you get my email? Uh >> I didn't. >> Miss Jones, I sent it to the general email address. >> Okay. >> And I've also uh presented an email to Randy. Uh I would uh answer any questions y'all may have. I adopt what's been said by other counsel. And I think it's very important uh that Santa Leon uh does something. Oh, one other thing. My son just acquired some property in Santa Leon Parish. So, I'm just not walking through the door. I don't remember the
031name of the subdivision, but it's got a big lake around it. Y'all know which one I'm talking about? >> Tranquility Lake Estates. >> Tranquility? >> Mhm. Tranquility Estates. >> Yeah. >> Estates. >> So, any questions, I'll be glad to answer. And after my presentation, I'll present y'all with total package on what we're doing. Thank y'all. Yes, ma'am. >> You're with that same law firm then? >> No, different different group. >> But you're advocating for the same >> same kind of issues. >> of issues. >> Yes, ma'am. And this is to protect individual children. I call them children, but kids in high school, 77% of the high school students are addicted. And within the age group of 13 to 17, there's a 33% addiction rate. And there is an addiction rate that goes up as high
032as 95%. So, Louisiana will need to have this done to help all the students. Now, I have approached uh St. Charles Parish and they're waiting to have other parishes uh that they know of join in. I've contacted the district attorney for St. John the Baptist since they are uh legal counsel for the school board. And I've contacted the uh St. James Parish School District and all of those I am waiting to have my initial meetings with the superintendent and some of the board members. >> [cough] >> Any other questions? Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right, boy, you guys have heard from two firms. What do you guys want to do? >> I would like to hear from our counsel to see what you know, see what he thinks and then see
033what all would be involved. I like to hear from Mr. Nixon. >> This election of professional services contract is strictly a decision made by the board. I I I provide information to you all as you know, as the board itself can can evaluate whether or not it wants to proceed with litigation. It can decide which firm it wants to select if it want or technically which joint venture because both presentations involve a joint venture. One involves, I believe, the the law the Plunkett Law Firm and the >> Neville Neville Firm. >> No, the Capetillo & Wicker Law Firm. >> Okay. >> And the other joint venture is the is the Folsom Law Firm and the Milberg Law Firm out of Plano, Texas. And so, you know, the board can decide tonight or you can defer
034and make a decision later on whether or not it wants to retain one joint venture, both. It's It's It's strictly the at the discretion of the board. >> How would you say that to Thomas work would then involve for you? >> Well, as as both as both presentations noted, the the there are no costs that that that are borne by the school board. It It's you know, it's [clears throat] certainly a win-win if the board decides to uh to file a a lawsuit against Meta. And there would be in in terms of of the recovery for the board, it and the claim for the board it's essentially the costs and the expenditures and the expenses that the board incurs as it relates to mental health services and other related services. Now, of course, the board
035the board provides mental health services for other reasons as well. So, in terms of the of counsel's approach of of of electing to to focus on which particular costs would in fact be be eligible or or viable to to maintain that claim, that would certainly be be to be something that would be decided then Uh, well as as well as Meta's attorneys being able to to poke holes and say, "Well, wait a minute. School board X or any political subdivision X, you all provide these services anyway. It's not as much as you did as as you all represented." So, again, those are things that that that are somewhat in in the weeds of of litigation. But, in terms of uh, you know, as if you all sit in as board members, what benefit is is
036it of us to file this claim? That's essentially what it is, to to recover those costs that that have been incurred as a result of of Meta litigation. And again, to be clear, the claim the claim itself would be the claim for the school board, not for the individual students. I I'm I'm not sure if you know, if if that was clarified or not, but but but but these but but but any prospective law firm would not be representing individual students. Whether that individual students and and their parents would like to file separate claims or whether those law firms um, in fact, I don't know if you all can can speak to that and whether or not your joint venture is presently represent individual students. >> We do not represent individual students. We do represent
037multiple school boards. >> Okay. >> It would only be school boards, no students. >> Right. No, no, I'm I'm asking do do do does either joint venture presently represent students and or their parents? >> Not to my knowledge. >> Cuz that's a whole different claim anyway. It wouldn't be a claim for costs, it would be damages. My little Johnny has been damaged by Meta's, you know, incessant uh, acts and addictive strategies of addicting my Johnny to Facebook, Instagram, etc., etc. >> In the case that occurred in California, that was a particular individual or was that based on a school board? >> Individual. >> That was an individual. >> Yes. The uh the verdict that he referenced, the $6 million verdict that occurred, that was an individual student. The verdict that he referenced that was in
038New Mexico, that was a statewide claim. That was not an individual. >> Okay. Cuz that was like 300 million. So, okay. >> Excuse me. Excuse me. >> Well, what y'all want me to do? >> I think you need to take this on advisement. >> Well, we can do it next week. >> You know, let's do it next meeting. >> Next meeting. It's okay. Can I get a motion to uh >> Table it. >> I motion that we table this item until our next meeting and we come back with an answer on that next meeting. I second. >> Okay. Motion by Mrs. Bell that we table this item till the next month meeting. Seconded by Ms. Lolita Porter. Any questions? No question? Should we pass by general consent? Thank you. Item E, Superintendent's Report. >> Good
039evening, community. Good evening, board members. [laughter] Um just have some announcements I'd like to share with you all, but before I do, I'll ask Ms. Joelle Givens to please come forward to um share her presentation about the STEAM program. >> Yes. >> We also have Mr. Muse. I don't know if how you're going to >> I'll introduce you. Okay. Um first of all, we don't call it STEM. We call it STEAM because it involves the arts as well. And agriculture. So, it's got the A in STEAM. California uses STEAM as uh as their um but in Louisiana, most places say STEM. But all this started with the Artemis that went to the moon and that it's not very dark up on the screen but it has the trajectory of how that the trajectory of the
040flight that went around the earth back around the moon and back to the earth again and what I feel like happened with our students is not only did they learn a great deal but they felt like they had gone to the moon and viewed earth from a different perspective. Just like the astronauts did that went on Artemis because that's what happened with them. They started first by doing a passport. And the passport we had to register it with NASA. And it was put on a zip drive all of their names were put into rice. I don't know if you saw rice floating around Artemis but it was he was designed by an elementary school student and he showed zero gravity for the astronauts but he so they played with him the whole time he was
041in there it was also their toy but all of our students names went on board Artemis too with with rice up under rice. And then with that same passport the students designed a book that we could take to Houston on a trip that we were privileged to go on with their name in it and all kinds of questions not only the agenda but questions and notes and places that they could answer and guess what mine's not filled out but I have the answer key. That's the good thing about being a teacher. Um so they enjoyed that and also I wanted to tell you that we have been recognized as a community partner with NASA ACCP and that is one of this a areas that is education part of NASA. We've also do the globe program.
042That's how we went to Colorado and Upstate New York. So that's NASA also. So we keep going back to NASA because they're the ones that are pro with this. And they're the ones that know what they're doing. So with that being said, I gave you a certificate that shows that St. Helena Parish is a member of NASA ACCP. Yes. You're officially signed. Okay, so we're going to show you some pictures of our trip, but also we have a wonderful volunteer, community volunteer, which we want to encourage more of to work with our school systems and to help our students. It's amazing how much that that has helped a community volunteer. And that's Mr. Deshawn News and he's going to tell you about the trip to Houston. >> Good afternoon board members and Dr. Joseph and
043the public. Um >> Just tell me when you need me to press the button. >> Okay. So here is a group of kids, 10 learners that were they there was a point system that they had to achieve. So the top 10 students were able to go on the trip. So um this the STEM team recently embarked on an unforgettable educational journey to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Inspired by last year's NASA ACCP space camp where Dr. LaKita Lowe, class of 1998, served as a guest speaker. And students became determined to visit the center and meet Dr. Low and experience the world of space exploration firsthand. Uh Dr. Dr. Low personally arranged for the students to tour the famous Neutral Buoyancy Lab. And if you get to a a video, you can just mute it.
044Um the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, home of a massive underwater mock-up for the International Space Station, where astronauts train for space missions. Students were amazed to witness how astronauts prepare for life and work in space through underwater simulations that closely mimic zero-gravity conditions. The group also received an exclusive tour of NASA's current Mission Control Center, where teams communicate directly with astronauts around the clock. Seeing live operations in action gave the students a deep appreciation for technology, engineering, communication, and teamwork required for successful space missions. The purpose of the trip was to determine how STEAM education um science, technology, engineering, art, agriculture, and mathematics play a role a vital role not only in space programs, but also throughout modern infrastructure and society. Every part of the experience became an opportunity for learning and growth. For several students,
045this was the first flight that they were taken. Others Well, others experienced turbulence for the first time. These moments became lessons of resilience, problem-solving, and real-world science. We talked about in STEAM class about the forces of a plane aerodynamics. So, we had real bad turbulence, but they were able to understand the forces a little bit better. Uh throughout the trip, students applied skills and academic vocabulary they developed during the school year to better understand astronaut training, spacecraft engineering, and the scientific innovation. >> [clears throat] >> At At the NASA Space Center in at the NASA Innovation Center, students designed and launched rockets >> Did you guys get that? It was in the first one. >> Okay. >> It was in the first [clears throat] one where they had class. >> They designed and launched rockets
046while learning to calculate trajectories. With assistance of NASA instructors, they progressed from hitting stationary targets to successfully reaching narrow target zones by using both the scientific method and the engineering design process. The students demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills that allowed them to truly soar above expectations. On the final day of the trip, it included a visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. During the paleontology exhibit the uh student De'Ron Cook impressed museum staff and visitors alike with his extensive knowledge of fossils and prehistoric life. His enthusiasm and expertise was so remarkable that several guests assumed he was a young curator. >> [laughter] >> Uh recognizing his passion, the museum's director of fossils invited the entire group into the fossil lab where students participated first-hand on fossil excavation activities and received a piece
047of fossilized wood to take home as a memorial keepsake. As the trip came to a close, the students encountered another source of inspiration, St. Helena alumnus Ms. Shaquana Melton, who's now a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. Meeting successful alumni working in professional careers reinforced the message that students from St. Helena can achieve greatness in many different fields. This journey was more than a field trip. It was a transformative education experience that exposed students to students to science, engineering, aviation history, teamwork, and career opportunities. The St. Helena STEAM team represented the parish of St. Helena with excellence, curiosity, and determination every step of the way. This experience was proved once again that St. Helena truly is winning. I would like to thank Ms. Miss Givens, Dr. Joseph, and the school board and anybody else that helped
048put this trip together because this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the students really did represent the district well. >> [applause] >> Did you say that there were two uh alumni that you met >> Yes. >> on the trip? >> Yeah, so Dr. Lowe, uh she's my classmate, we graduated together. She uh she is the >> lead >> research Yeah, she's the lead research uh and innovation director for uh the International Space Station. She's responsible for everything that's delivered into lower Earth orbit. Uh some people a lot of people don't know that they're rebuilding the uh, another space station called Axiom. She would be responsible for, uh, delivering all of those cubes that's uh, what they called and and boxed, uh, items, I think is what they called, up into space to build the space station.
049So, our very own Salina alumnus is building stuff in space and responsible for that. >> And who's the second? >> Miss Shaquana Melton. I don't know what class, but she's, uh, from Greensboro. Uh, I think right under the hill, and she is a flight attendant for, uh, Southwest. She's based out of, uh, Houston, Texas. >> That's the daughter of Miss Donna Melton. >> Yes. And the the the kids, everywhere we went, they recognized the kids in a positive way. >> Absolutely. >> [applause] >> This is the end of the trip. As you can see, all the boys are sitting down. They have played out. They couldn't go any further. And when we came back from the air, uh, we got out of the airplane, we were all looking for that Salina bus, and they were
050so excited when they saw that Salina bus. It was time to go home because we had sat in the airport, we had a delay, and they even in the corner, they were all sitting, they all sat there and prayed that we could get on that plane. >> [laughter] >> So, uh, when we got to the airport, they were amazed that that there was the bus, and then we were able to come home. It was late, but we made it. And that was the end, but that's just the beginning. >> How many days were you? >> Uh, four days and three nights. Yes. Do the next one if you don't mind. This is the next thing that's going to happen, and that's our summer camp, the STEAM summer camp. And I'll give you these flowers so
051that you can help give them out. Excuse the back because it's recycled. That's what I teach is recycling. So, >> [laughter] >> so I had to recycle the bulletins, the flowers as well. But, our goal with the STEAM team is to do things that AI cannot do. Those skills like team dynamics, um creative problem-solving, critical thinking. We have one young man here that he um had a sea urchin under the water robot. He went to competition at LSU, and we went to competition at Southeastern. His motor fell off at Southeastern as he was in the course. He was determined he was going to finish that course. So, we had three motors, one fell off. He turned around and went backwards through the course. Now, if that is not critical thinking, so let let's give Elijah
052a hand >> [applause] >> Elijah James. Okay? The other thing is experiential learning. We want to experience it because we understand it better. They did not understand the word trajectory at all until all this came about, and much more vocabulary. They didn't There I learned a lot of vocabulary because it's all new to me as well, but I can learn. I can still learn as well. Um it's all hands-on, so those students that might not do well academically are now increasing academically because they have something applied with those academics. So, we do math, we do science, we do English. They have to write. They have to do technical reports for every competition that we go to, and um hopefully that will improve test scores. I have no way of tracking that, but I would love
053to be able to track it. If anybody has any ideas. But, the main thing that we're trying to do is inspire their curiosities for their future careers. And that's what we're going to do this summer. If you'll look up at the board, the one thing that we our goals this summer are to do bridge building. We have a civil engineer coming in from DOTD that's going to do the CAD program for to design the bridges, and then we're going to build the bridges. >> Mhm. >> Um we have a nutritionist coming that's going to teach us how to eat like an astronaut because our students do not eat well. I see them. They snack. You know, and if they bring their lunch from home, it's usually snacks. It's not good food, you know. So, that's
054what we want to do that and we'll teach them to dehydrate some fruit while we're at it and maybe even do some solar oven things. Um so, all these will have other activities that go along with it. The NASA ACCP and NASA has provided us because there's a whole lot binder of thousands of activities that we can do that support all of the STEM program. Okay, the other thing we're going to do is have we're going to do work with agronomist and do some aquaponics, hydroponics, just a small demonstration of how that they can use in space water to grow plants [cough and clears throat] just like we do here on Earth. And we'll have fish and with our water as well to help provide the nitrogen for the plants. And so, they're going to
055understand a lot more about chemicals. By the way, my favorite part of that trip was the natural science museum because when we first walked in, there was a whole floor of the chemical elements. They had music going to it and they had something going up on the screen that you had to find that element. So, here are kids dancing and running around trying to find elements. They had a blast with it. If we had the possibility of having some of the things that they had and some of that we're starting with our literacy lab. Um there's no telling how our students would score because it's all hands-on experiential learning. Okay. They were lifting levers. What did you lift? A piano? They lifted a piano with levers. So, they understand leverage completely. Um we're going to
056have somebody that starts certification for drone. We will not have time to finish it, but we want it started and then they can finish it on their own or they can take a course as we add that to our high school curriculum. The other thing that we're going to have is and I don't think I listed it. Uh GIS. We're going to have a person coming in. Yes, it is there. We're going to have a person a specialist coming in from Entergy that's going to just introduce them. I see introduction misspelled. I'm sorry. Um that explains to them what GIS is. So, if they're interested, then if we start that course in high school, then they would be interested in taking that. Um architecture, we have one student in our group that is definitely listed
057in architecture. So, I'm looking for an architect that it can explain to us how to build architecture in unusual situations like medical that has to have certain specifications. And then we're going to build a Mars habitat and they'll have to look at the what the soil is made up on Mars, the minerals that are available, all that kind of stuff to be able to build that habitat because we can't carry everything from Earth to build it. Last year at camp, we already figured out that they um that from the regolith, that's the soil on the moon, that they could 3D print habitats. And guess what? NASA's doing that. That's exactly what they're going to do. And we found out that there were volcanic tubes that they could actually build this inside of in the moon
058that would help protect our astronauts, protect them from radiation and the extreme temperatures that are on the moon. So, we're learning and as we learn, we're learning that NASA has some of the same ideas, believe it or not, our students have them. You talking about they have it. We just not using it well enough to be able to uh accomplish what we need to. So, we have more students that are actually professionals in these fields. Uh we're going to Lumcon Lumcon. I have a um reservation there and that's the marine biology lab that's down in Cocodrie and they're going to teach us about ecosystems and how St. Helena's water goes down to the wetlands and how it affects the wetlands. We're going to have a forester come in that we're going to go over to
059Greensburg Park. We're going to measure those virgin pine trees, the diameter, the height, and estimate how much carbon that wood captures. So, I want us to prove to the wetlands that we capture more carbon than they do because our carbon, not only does is it captured in wood, but when the wood is cut and made into lumber, the carbon stays in it. Unless you burn the lumber, the carbon stays in it. But if you destroy the wetlands, it's gone. Now, I know y'all know what carbon capture is because we have this big thing that's coming up on Lake Maurepas. So, we need to investigate that more and learn more about it so that we know when things come up like that, is that going to protect our environment? What should we be doing this or
060not? There's big grants coming out of that. But I don't have an opinion about it. I'm asking NASA. I'm asking them, what do they think? Okay? And as we go along, the students will learn. We're going to do some community service projects like we're going to with the Lieutenant Governor's office, we're going to do Keep Louisiana Beautiful. We're going to pick up trash as we go to the park. We've got picker-uppers and gloves. And um we'll work with the Lieutenant Governor's office with that. And we're going down, hopefully if we can schedule all this, we're going to go to St. Bernard Parish and work with the coastal restoration non-profit that has a shell-ebration because they gather shells from restaurants in New Orleans and they bag them and they ship them out to the barrier islands
061to help protect us here in Louisiana. Okay, so that's kind of what we're doing this summer, but I want these students to be able to tell you what they learned from. We have a few students here. Would all of you come forward and each of you speak just a sentence or two? I know you're nervous. Come on up here. One by one, tell them what They made some good friends, I can tell you. Come on, everybody. Come on up here. Carson do you want to go first? >> He wrote a newspaper paper article for us, so you'll be seeing it in the news before long. >> Harsh, you can go first. >> [laughter] >> Hello, I'm Harsh. Sure I've met a few of you. Sorry if I don't remember your names. Um when we went
062on the trip to Texas, my favorite place that we went to was Rocket Park, which is where the Saturn V is currently being kept, the full rocket. And it was awesome. The Saturn V was almost two football fields long. >> Wow. Is that this? >> Yes, that the the big one in the top photo, not the one in the side. That is over That building is two football fields long and it barely fits in there. It had to be built around the rocket cuz there's no other way to get it in there. I just loved seeing all the engineering that went into it. It was just really, really cool. >> Harsh, tell them what you want to become. >> I wanted to become an ash an engineer for NASA so I could build stuff like
063this. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> And Harsh is on track to do that. To do that, he is graduating >> tomorrow for sale. >> So, tell them what you discovered, you ladies. >> Well, I calculated for the thrust of that rocket engine in the first picture, which was the Saturn V rocket, which I compared it to the other rockets that we seen outside of the rocket park and I managed to figure out things that were normally forced and first they were maybe too descriptive and something that was given to us at home to do. >> Good. >> The notepad was middle lab. >> [laughter] [applause] >> What do you want to do, Alan? If at all possible, what would you like to do in your career? >> Either become an astronaut or someday work for
064NASA. >> And what are you doing to prepare yourself for that? >> I'm personally teaching myself physics at home on the computer. >> She started when she came back, going through a book of basic physics, high school physics. All right, thank you. >> Okay. I'm Jason. My favorite part of our trip was probably the uh the buoyancy lab. I thought that it was pretty cool to see where the astronauts actually trained and um it was pretty amazing to see. The pool itself was actually like 40 m down and it took 4 weeks to fill up. And also, just the pool floor was 7 ft thick so that the water, because of the pressure, so that the pool wouldn't collapse. But that was my favorite part. >> [applause] >> She's not what she was thinking and
065she starts to college next year. >> Um I'm a little undecided right now, but I am like leaning towards science or also or maybe teaching, like Miss Joelle. >> All right. >> [applause] >> WE NEED TEACHERS. HE'S NOT MUCH OF A SPEAKER, but he's a thinker. >> My favorite part My favorite part of it was the technology, how it advanced for the problems of the modern day. And how they evolved it for the new capabilities that it would have, such as doing the figure eight in 10 days. Why the Apollo 11 took a long time to come back? >> Why did it take so long? Do you remember? >> Well, they had many issues, such as the carbon catcher, and how they had to duct tape it onto the socket the filter. >> To filter
066the CO2. And that's how they made it back. They had to get a filter from another part of the rocket to be able to put it in the space they had to live to be able to get back to Earth. >> A lot. Yeah. >> Donald Speight, he was great. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, he did well. Last time he froze up on us. This time he's doing better. Okay, gentlemen, thank you. Tell us what we should write down. >> Good mission control. >> Why? >> Cuz we got to explore different parts of it. >> And that's the mission control that were controlling the ISS at the time. >> You're the pre-paleontologist, right? That's you in the picture? >> Who's this? >> No. >> Oh, that's Tyrone. Is he here? >> I don't know where he
067is. >> Okay. Yeah, Tyrone didn't come to line. I don't know why, but >> [clears throat] >> I was hoping he would tell me which dinosaur that was up there. Cuz he not only could tell you the name of the dinosaur, he could tell you why it had that name. And he took us all the way through hundreds of reptiles from the beginning to the extinction of the dinosaur, named every one of them. Therefore, I'm challenging these to learn more. We talked to the paleontologist [snorts] that was there on staff, and he told us the books that he needed, what did he need to study to get ready for that. That's his that's his passion. So, thank you. What do you want to be? Do you know yet? Not sure yet. Okay. >> Are these
068parents that are with the kids? >> Pardon? >> Are these our parents that are with the kids? >> Yes. Yes, as well. >> say a few words? >> Yes. Stand up for us, please. >> [laughter] [applause] >> I didn't go on the trip with the class, however, Allison is asking to take physics this summer online because St. Helena doesn't offer it at the school. So, she's taking the initiative to learn outside. She loves the program. She's very excited about everything that is to come. She's a freshman this year. Going to be a sophomore next year. We're excited to see where she goes with this. >> Good. >> Make sure you get some flyers before you leave, and we are looking for learners that are self-learners. Because we are only an impetus as the schools, a
069catalyst to get them push them forward. But, they have to want to learn, and they have to dig hard to be able to become astronauts or chemists or scientists. They have to dig into it. I mean, otherwise, they could just be a laborer, right? Okay. Thank you so much for listening. >> Thank you. What number do you have any comments at all about the presentation? Miss Givens. >> Yes. >> You said hydroponics. You're going to do a hydroponic experiment or >> Yeah, we're going to set up a aquarium and have a a basic understanding of it and we're going to visit a couple of farms along the way to other places and and watch how they do it. >> There's a big hydroponic tomato farm in the sixth district. >> Oh, it is there? >>
070If you're interested, I can talk to >> Oh, please do. I'd love I'd love to know about that. >> Go up there with a >> Yeah, each thing that I can learn about from St. Helena Parish, I'll try to do it cuz they need to know that. >> And that's why I'm doing the forestry because we are forestry. >> I'll check into it. >> Okay. >> I would just like to say to the learner, keep up the good work. I also want to thank Mr. Muse for all of his service. Miss Joelle, you're doing a fabulous job with all of the kids. When I'm around you, I learn something new all the time. This is awesome stuff because we're preparing kids for their future. So, we I for don't know all of the things and
071we have to learn and grow together, but we know that we're doing it, you know, for the betterment of our kids. So, whatever we need to do to prepare you for that, that's what we're going to do. So, I'm writing down some things as class. I know we have that online that you can take over the summer and I'll get with you all to talk more about that and see what we can do to, you know, add more courses during the school year to help support what they're doing in this in the club. So, this is some awesome stuff. And then we have the two alumni from St. Helena that was there helping and supporting. So, we're very excited about that as well. >> We lost him, the director of NASA. >> Yes. >> Yeah,
072we just happened to meet him in the lobby. And they started asking him questions and he just for 30 minutes he was explaining and answering their questions about NASA. >> That's awesome. >> Thank you. And we also found out that we can put in a request for the astronauts that went on Artemis two, and especially Glover, Victor Glover, and the woman that went as well. Because our students really connect with those two. And we can put in a request for them to come speak to our class, to our school. So. Wouldn't that be wonderful? We don't know if we can get it, but we're going to try. >> You should also look into getting NASA to come down. And one other thing that we can be doing this year is uh the chief ME program
073grow beyond Earth, where NASA will send us a kit and we can grow the same in the same compartments and use the stuff that they use to grow stuff in the International Space Station. And hopefully we could uh develop techniques that they can use to grow better uh plants in >> on the space station. >> They're doing that for all the schools that want to apply. But there's a limited number, but >> I just want to say quickly, I'm working with Dr. Shafer on getting some additional funding for her. You you're familiar with Dr. Shafer? Yeah. I work and and this is going to really help when I when I show that to my funder, you know, what you guys have done. And didn't you do something in the Midwest last year or year or
074so ago? Did you go to the Midwest and win something? I told them that and they were very excited. And if you have anything that that on paper that I could you could show me what you did, that would really be helpful. >> Okay. >> You want >> I in awe. Thank you. Thank you. You all are doing a fabulous job. And so, whatever it is we need to do to help support all of that work that you're doing, we're going to be there to do it. Thank you. All right, a couple other things I'd like to share with you all uh graduation. We're at the end of the school year. Today was the last day and it was a half day. Uh kindergarten had their graduation yesterday. Our sixth graders had it today. And
075tomorrow at 6:00, we will be celebrating all of our graduates from St. Helena College and Career Academy. So, we're excited about the futures that they have and uh the future's looking bright. Also, want to share that our annual Virtual Academy will be uh registration will start on Monday. This is where we provide summer school for anybody in the state, anybody in this country actually, who would like to participate in our summer Virtual Academy where kids who may have failed a course, that need to uh you know, retake the course, or want to advance their studies, or just do an audit, those um opportunities will be available for them during the summer. >> [clears throat] >> Also, we have sent out our 2026-2027 school year information. Uh we're trying to get it out as early as
076possible. And as the board approves different documents such as our handbook, um uniform changes, or anything of that nature, we will just update that that website. So, that link has been shared with the community already just to give them, you know, more time to be able to prepare for the next school year and that they can see the initiatives that we are looking at implementing that new school year. Want to also thank you. I think it was Dr. Lowe that gave me this gift. So, I want to thank her publicly for thinking of me. I really appreciate it. It's two pins, the NASA pin, and very nice. So, thank you. >> I SISS and I the one. It's kind of hard to figure out what it is, but that's what it is. >> Thank you.
077Thank you so very much for that, Dr. Lowe. From St. Helena. I'm going to ask and put you on the spot, Ms. Nettles, just to give us a little snippet about I-Ready and what we're doing this year that's different from last year to get our kids prepared for the new school year. >> Because I knew that >> [laughter] >> I came from I SISS. So, this year we are working with the learners to ensure that they were passing the lessons, and they weren't just working on it over hours. So, I have some data for y'all. >> [snorts] >> Um we had 344 learners that are part of the summer learning academic requirement program. >> I mean >> I SISS 344 learners. As of May 14th, that's today, the updated data was sent to me that
078you know, put in the spreadsheet and then provided to the administrators. We have a total number of 252 learners that have completed the summer academic requirement. We still have 92 learners that have to complete this academic requirement. They have until June 4th. But I wish Mr. McPherson would be here. I would like to share with y'all um his vision that him and I were talking about, you know, how are we going to make sure that the parents and learners are able to these 92 learners, their parents are able to track their learning. And he has come up with a Hawk portal. So, it is just a very simplistic portal where the parents can visit hawkportal.net. They put in the child's first and last name and their data comes up. It shows how many lessons they
079have left to complete. Um how many lessons they've passed, and then when they are done and complete with their I-Ready and many of the learners already received their certificates. They received their certificate saying that they have completed their academic requirement for the 2026 summer learning program. It's more seamless than what it was last year because we you know, we don't have to make calls and that way the parents can actually just go online and check their progress. >> And more importantly, we started earlier this year. >> We did. >> We started before the end of the school year so that our learners can get a heads up on completing that work. Well, you know, I'm always going to play the devil's devil advocate. >> That's okay. >> So, school ended today. You said you have
08090-some learners. >> 92, yeah. >> 92 learners that have not >> that are left. So, >> out of 340 >> the issue is and I know the issue that parents is going to have is well, I don't have a computer. I don't have the internet. How are these learners going to be held accountable? >> Right, cuz we >> They have cell phones. I know [laughter] that. They use them all the time. [clears throat] But, I know what the issue is going to be. I'm just I'm just wondering how we're going to address that. And >> I did speak with the librarian. They have over 25 laptops Chromebooks that the learners can use at the library to complete their work. >> But, have we sent a letter to these parents? >> Miss Miss Yes. >> Okay,
081because guess what? I want to hold parents accountable. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Not kids. Parents as well. As accountable for their learners completing the work. I don't want to wait till July and I start getting phone calls cuz you know they going to call me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, I'm I just want to know how the strategy is going to work. >> Right. And they also received a a document a parent document that just kind of basically tells them how they can check their learners um progress, but they don't need to do it now because we have the Hawk portal that they can go on, but it also tells them how to get online. >> Well, I don't know I never did receive this through the mail. I never did get this for my
082child. Can we put that on social media? That Hawk portal. I I mean, let's utilize it right. >> This actually just came into fruition this morning. >> Okay, so we need to put it on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, make it out a reel for the parents. We need to blast that now. June 4th is the last day. >> And Miss Nellas, do the parents have the understanding it's not like it was last year? You have to just put 20 hours in. >> Right. >> They have the understanding that they have to pass those lessons. >> Yeah, the pass of the lessons. >> Not do the 20 lessons, but they have to pass. >> the not just completing lessons. They have to pass the lessons. Yes, ma'am. >> So what So today was the last day. So
083we send letters home with the kids today? >> So Mr. McFearson and the principals have They had to come to the school to actually sign and get the report cards and the notification for the learners that still have to complete the work. >> So how many parents So when the report cards going to be issued? >> I'm not sure when they will be issued. I mean I I know the rest of them may be mailed. But the ones that still have to complete those report cards, those parents have to come and sign for the report card and the notification. >> So if they don't come sign for them, somebody need to deliver them to Well, who's the truant officer person? Let them be delivered to their house. I mean cuz guess what? I want to
084hold these parents accountable. >> And Ms. Nollins, we were gifted um >> We did not do the work. >> with the laptops. Now if you get calls from parents saying they don't have computers, now we can make we can make the center a purpose center >> Okay. >> by there during the day. Internet high speed internet, there's computers there. So if they need it, you know, we need to make that assessment to some of the parents. >> Okay. >> You know, let me know and I'll I'll get somebody to to man that center and let them come in. It's 20 It's only 20 laptops. So >> Okay. >> That's what they're for. >> Well, that's good to know. Also, I want to share with y'all last year I'm also over the in-person dibbles summer remediation
085program that begins June 1st through the 16th. Last year we had um 22 learners that had to be remediated because they actually scored well below on the end of the year and this year we have 11. So we you know >> Closing the gap. Closing the gap. Yes, ma'am. Thank y'all. >> Thank you. So where the most students are at, Ms. South? What school? >> We We're going to have it at the high school from June 14th. >> How many students say is at the high school and how many is at Shadow? >> Oh, that need to do >> that need to do that remediation that remediation. Out of those 92 Out of those 92 students. 92. >> Yes. >> She said where's the where's the most coming from, your biggest number? >> Is it
086high school or [snorts] Shadow? >> It's only Shadow. Shadow because Shadow because the >> Oh, the high >> Yeah, because it's only 7th and 8th high school. >> Yeah. >> At the high school. And with um with Savannah Arts and Technology Academy, it's grades four, five, and six. >> Okay. And the other the uh the Devils or the >> Indian >> And what that's third grade? >> The The H2 is >> The 11 that need to that need to come do the uh the >> that's the Devils letters. >> So, we're going to test them again. Their third attempt after they have their two weeks of intervention, we're going to test them on the 15th and 16th. If they notifications were double notifications were sent out to these parents through the mail with them letting
087them know that on 15th and 16th, if they still score well below on that third attempt because of Act 422, they will be retained in the third grade. >> So, we're going to provide transportation for them then those that >> Yes. >> That's been communicated to the parents. >> Yes, ma'am. This information has been all mailed and given to them. The bus pick up points, the times, the letters, yes. >> So, for the public record, parents, if you have not received your information, you should be responsible for contacting the school that your child or your learners attend to get that information. Just for the public record. >> Any other comments from the audience? >> Thank you. And my last thing, we had our grand opening of our literacy and learning lab, and I just wanted
088to share a video with you all that was done by Flying Ghost Productions. So, I'll just play that so you can get an idea of what the day was. And I want to thank all of the board members who were able to come and experience and help us with that ribbon cutting. >> Reading a good book will take you around the world. >> I want to thank you all for joining us as we are here to celebrate our grand opening of our literacy and learning lab this morning because this space represents opportunity, growth, and the commitment to ensure that every learner on our campus and every learner in this space learns to become a strong and confident reader. >> This is beautiful. And the the fact that we can bring this kind of innovation to
089Marcelina for our children is exciting. >> We cut the ribbon, we saw the mascot, and it's a beautiful place in here and we get to play some games. >> Dr. Joseph and our team take basically almost a year's worth of work for everybody to come together to build something for the kids that they can enjoy that is a space they can call their own. It's a place where they can come and as we like to say, we can kind of trick them into learning to read, do puzzles, work on literacy. It's the number one thing that we need to be working on as a community is getting parents and kids engaged, and then the rest will just follow right after. >> I want to comment on the job of the school board, all the stakeholders
090who come together to put this plan together to uh show our kids that uh is possible. >> It is an opportunity for these kids, you know, for their imagination. And we're so grateful. It is such a wonderful space. This is just awesome. This is the awesomest experience. This is for the entire community, not just for the kids who attend school here, but for everyone within Sacramento City Unified School District. So, we invite everyone to come out and see the great things that we have. We're making learning fun. We're making reading fun. So, come on out and experience this great space. >> Sacramento City Unified School District >> So, the Literacy and Learning Lab has a lot of features in it. Two kiosks where the kids can actually go on and do some play with the
091apps that are connected to literacy, a lot of English. We have a big Scrabble board on the wall. The kids can actually go in and play Scrabble. We have all of the walls are wrapped, so the kids can write on the walls and do all of the different activities that are on the walls. We have a little stage where we can do poetry slams and all kind of other activities. We have reading corners. We have just a lot of technology placed in a nice beautiful tree in the middle where the kids can sit and read and just enjoy reading, develop that love of reading, and just have fun in that great space. So, we want to absolutely thank uh the Family Resource Group, uh Mr. Brandon Foreman, who's the CEO, and also Terry Hodges, who
092we worked with just about every day getting that space uh prepared. So, just like we have the Maker Space at the high school where all of the kids can the teachers can sign up at our session and the bus will pick them up and bring them there. We now have the literacy and learning lab where same thing can happen there. So, we're focusing on STEM or STEAM at uh in our maker space and then now the literacy lab at the early learning center. And so, the next stop will be at the AMT where we'll be doing some stuff in their collaborative spaces. So, I'm looking forward to to that work. But, just want to thank our staff for putting on a great um day because we also on that day recognize all of our uh
093stakeholders through our uh second annual luncheon. So, uh we recognize everyone who are partners in education and we want to just say again publicly thank them for all of the work that they've done to help us move our vision forward. So, thank you to our kids, thank you to our parents, thank you to all of our teachers and our uh community supporters. Thank you for allowing all of this to occur. It was a great week. Um we're at the end of the school year as I stated, today was the last day. So, we are now planning to have an even greater 2026-2027 school year. And with that, that concludes my presentation. All right. >> Thank you, Dr. Joseph. Next item, approve committee reports May 14th, 2026. I'll so move. [clears throat] Motion by Ms. Joyce
094Porter. >> Second by Ms. Lolita Porter. Any questions? No questions, shall pass by general consent. Item G, executive session. Can I get a motion that we go in the executive session? >> we go in executive. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Ms. Alston-Travis, second by Ms. Bell that we go into executive session. Any questions? No questions, shall pass by general consent. We shall return. >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> The meeting is now vacant. All the council going to motion that we return from executive session. >> I move that we return from executive session. >> I second that. >> Motion by Mr. Alton Travis that we return from executive session, second uh second by Ms. Joyce Porter. Um we were updated on the following uh items for executive session, but I do need a motion for
095one item, and that's to improve the reimbursement to Loca for a subrogation claim made by Safeway Insurance in the amount of $3,369.38 related to property damage sustained on April 14th, 2025. The claim number for Loca is LCA 0032580. Can I get a motion? >> I so move. >> Motion by Ms. Joyce Porter. Second. [clears throat] >> Second by Ms. Virginia Bale. Any questions? If there's no question, it should pass by general consent. Uh announcements of the next meeting. The next meeting date will be June the 11th, 2026. Oh, if that's the We're going to be at uh Loca. Can we have a meeting from there? No. Why? I'm Look. Okay. >> Unless you going to like open it up to people coming in. >> We're going to be at Let's publish it. We opening it
096up at Loca. They want to drive down there. >> I mean, if you want You're going to have to do it on video. >> On video? >> Yeah, if you're not sitting here and you're not in the parish, you're going to have to have >> We do a everything on a video. >> You're going to have to have a Teams meeting, so you can answer questions from anybody in the audience. >> We'll look into that, but I don't think you're right. >> [laughter] >> We do have it set up for it if we if need be. Through Zoom, though, not Teams. >> She She can do it, so I'm telling you you're going to cover yourself. >> That's already set up on the >> Okay, so our next meeting date will be June 11th, 2026
097in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Loca. >> Sweet. >> We're going to be there anyway. For our board for retreat. Right? So you can make that happen too via Zoom. We will be going via Zoom for our June 11th, 2026 meeting hosted from Baton Rouge, Louisiana on LSU campus at Law School. We're reporting live. >> [laughter] >> Closing comments? Board members? I would just like to say that tomorrow night is graduation uh 6:00 on the football field. And Mr. Travis, um this is our last graduation. So I would love for you to be there. Okay? That's our last This is our last one four of us on the board cuz we are terming out. We're signing out. Uh so I would love for us all to be able to march tomorrow. Uh I don't know what's
098going on with Hughes. I will reach out to him as well. But he's he probably running again, but the four of us Fails, Mr. Travis, Mr. Porter, and myself we're signing out. This is our last graduation. So I would love for us all march tomorrow. Okay? And show the learners our support. We will have reserved parking in front of the stadium. So Mr. Gregory Tillery, he's here in the audience. I would love for you to be able to you know get us through the crowd uh because the traffic get a little Thank you, Mr. Tillery. Thank you for making sure that we get into that. Okay. All right. And I would just like to say kudos to all our learners that's with steam and um that's eager to learn. That's what it takes. Uh Be
099willing to learn. >> And kudos to the uh ribbon cutting on Wednesday. It was a blast. It was nice. If you haven't went to ELC to visit their newly renovated stem lab, do so. You will be amazed. You will really be amazed. >> Okay, so any other comments? We're signing off live here at the Sagelinn-Fair School Board. Can I get that last motion? This meeting is adjourned. >> [clears throat]