001I think there may be a short Personnel committee will come to order. Roll call. Miss Virginia Bell. >> Miss Linda Cheney, >> present. >> Miss George Porter, >> present. >> Dr. Kelly Joseph >> here. >> Miss Miranda Watson >> here. >> Miss Donna Jackson, >> present. Item three, receive personal updates. Good evening, committee members and board members. >> Good job. We had a um just a couple of changes. Um we did have three new hires, which we were very excited about that because it um brought up our staffing percentages and then we had two resignations and we had one termination. If you look at the bottom, you see the position that we're advertising for. I do want to make note that when you see look at the world geography position, we do have proximity learning
002in that class, but we're still advertising to get a live body in the classroom. >> Uh we are currently offboarding because of the hires, new hires. We're offboarding for ELA, um for the high school, which is one and two and one and three and two and four. And we're also offboarding for middle school social studies and yeah and with the world geography. So they are still in world geography but we're offboarding for the other three. Um and when you look at the dashboard based on those uh new hires that we had we had some good changes to the high school which is a college and career where uh went up 2% to 8 and% staff with the five vacancies. Three of those vacancies are for teachers. And at Shada and ELC, they're both 100%. And
003uh Shada went up 3%, ELC went up 5%. The district totals for staffing is 95% staff with 1% increase uh from last month. If you look at the teacher vacancies, we only have three vacancies left at the high school at this time. The college and career academy at this time, it went up to 89% which is a 7% increase. And you'll see Shada is went up 5% to 100% increase uh 100% staff and then we had to add a kindergarten position because we were getting um we had so many learners we had to move over to add another class for kindergarten. So you see that's where that uh positions went up to 18 positions there and overall it's still 100% staff but it's a 6% increase. So overall the teacher uh positions we have now
004is 67 with three vacancies total 95% um staff 4% increase from last month you have any questions about that any questions? I do have a question. So at the high school you got the social studies position, the ACT prep teacher and the uh sped position. This is still self-contained class. >> Okay. So, those are the third position. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Okay. >> What's a master teacher? >> A master teacher uh is he's working with um an academic department and it was assisting with science and math. So, we are looking for somebody to provide that support right now just as a Dr. JP in his department with science and math observations and teacher support. >> Any other questions? >> Okay, that concludes the uh personnel committee. >> Okay, thank
005you. >> Thank you. Budget and finance will come to order. >> Miss Virginia Bell, >> present. >> Miss Linda Cheney, >> present. >> Miss Lolita Porter, >> present. >> Dr. Kelly Joseph, >> yes. >> Miss Castle, >> yes. Miss Tracy Wulmarmac >> present. >> All members are present. >> Okay. Um receiving consider for approval rate category one RFP bid. >> How is everyone today? It's good to see you again. and I was here a couple of months ago and uh we have another bid that is due uh that we need to put forth for us. So the same program called uh there's a uh what's called a category one and this category and this funding from the federal government is the internet access that comes into the school district to the schoolboard office here and
006then uh fiber data circuits that go from the schoolboard office to each one of the schools. Uh, fortunately for you, you get the highest discount and the federal government through the program pays 90 cents on the dollar or, you know, you only pay 10%. Either which way you look at it. Uh, on an average per year, you you get about 80 uh the total cost of the internet and the connections to the schools are about $80,000. Um, you know, again, you your your co the federal government gives 72,000 and and your cost is 8,000. So, a considerable savings to you. Uh, St. Lina Staint Alina school board is out of contract. So, now we need to go with a new RFP, receive bids from vendors, and then, uh, Dr. John that they score them and
007Dr. Kelly and come up with a vendor of their choice. Um, so the RFPs are actually in your uh, folders and, uh, it starts off with the St. The school board has kind of a calendar as far as the first sheets. So, just as an agenda aspect, the bids are going to open where if you approve the bid to go out tonight, uh we will post it tomorrow on central where central bidding online and then I also do on the federal government's website and that's going to be on December 12th and then we have to u the the rule on the rate is we have to keep the bid out for at least 28 days. Uh Louisiana procurement says 30 days. So we're going to do a little bit longer than that. We'll do about
0084550 days at least. So our questions and answers are going to open on December 23rd and then questions and answers going to close on December 13th of next month. Uh the deadline for submitting the bids are going to be January 30th of 2026. So, we're about 4550 days, well above what the Louisiana procurement um requires of you. Uh internet access, that's the main feed coming into the school district. We're going to have ask for two speeds. That's 5 gigabits and 10 gigabits. And that's uh symmetrical, so up and down. Not to get too deep into that. A lot of speed. So, definitely I think right now you have five gigs. So, we're going to go out for what you have today and then a a double of that if you so if if Dr. John
009and them see the need at any time he can upgrade that and double the speed uh if your internet access demand goes up. AI is generating a lot more data and need with the students. I know you're going to be putting it into your curriculum. I'm sure not teacher but it's there. Uh so again the only way it can go is is obviously up with more demand. So you will have that ability to upgrade throughout the whole term of the contract, whomever you decide. The wide area network that we call it, that's the fiber circuits from the schoolboard office to the schools. Uh they're going to be at 10 gigabits and that's what they are today. Um really 10 gigabits is double of the internet access you have today. So you're your final on that
010amount of bandwidth. Um the matrix, how is Dr. John and his team going to, you know, score this. Um, the -ate program says that price has to be the most heavily weighted as far as your decision. So, what we use is we use a 100 point system. Um, what we're going to do is the cost is going to be 30 points most heavily weighed and then every the four I'm going to tell you about are obviously 20s and tens. Uh, so we're going to have the cost is going to be 30 points. The design and technical bid is going to bid is going to be 20 points. Technical s technical support within a 100 miles gets 10 points. Ability to deliver the services is the start of the funding year. On the in the -ate
011world, our start of our funding year is July 1st of next year. That is our next funding year. So, we're always when we're doing these things, we're always doing them kind of six or eight months ahead of actually when the funding starts. So if the provider or vendor can start by July 1st of next year, uh they could get uh 20 points. And the last one being 20 points is their references and experiences. So a lot of times a technical team and a superintendent possibly can call other districts uh see how their experiences are with a vendor and if they get good feedback, they could possibly get up to 20 points. Any questions? And this is something again that you guys have had for with the program since probably 1997. So this is just a
012continuation. But because your contract is out on June 30th of 26, we have to go through this RFP process. So and I think today it was Hunt Brothers. They were bought out. So now it's Unity is the service provider that you guys have to date. And that's fiber, right? >> Yes, ma'am. It's underground. I think mostly underground. It could be some aerial. I'm not really sure, but yes, ma'am. All fiber. >> All fiber to the schools, too. >> Yes. And it does. And what's good about it on the - program is when you in the schools, you have so many computers, you have the need for that bandwidth. >> So, you utilize the federal government's our money, right? Our tax dollars, all of us, and they go and they come and deploy when you need
013those services. But what does it do? It enables those companies to you know to go to the banks to the you know any of state agencies that you might have in businesses throughout St. Helena Parish. So it adds a lot of benefit when they're building out that fiber and they can serve you know the constituents of the parish even better for the ones who have those high-speed needs. So, any questions? >> As long as he's happy. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank y'all. Appreciate it. Have a blessed holiday also. >> Thank you, >> okay, that concludes the budget process. >> Oh, I'm sorry. No. Could I get a motion please to to vote to consider for approval rate category? >> I need a motion. >> Second. >> We got a motion in a second. Have
014no other questions. We'll take a vote. >> Miss Virginia Bell. >> Yes. >> Miss Linda Cheney. >> Yes. >> Miss Lolita Porter. >> Yes. >> 30 motion car. Refer to the full board to vote. >> Now that concludes the budget and finance. That concludes all of the committee meeting. We're just waiting for 6:00 to start our regular board meeting. Have a few minutes. All right. >> Father God, we just come to you Lord God. Thank you, Lord God, for this day, Lord God. Thank you for waking us up and holding us in our right mind. Father, we come to you, Lord, asking you, Lord God, to be over the meeting that we're about to have, Lord God. We pray that everything is done is done in decent and in order. And we pray that, Lord
015God, that we keep our learners in mind with every decision that is made. We thank you for it all and ask you for traveling grace as we return home or to our destinations. It's in your darling son, Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The meeting will come to order. We are now holding a meeting of the Sland Fair School Board. Roll call. >> Mr. Porter. Miss Lolita Porter >> Miss Linda Cheney >> present >> Mr. George Hughes >> present >> Miss Virginia Bell >> present >> Mr. Alton Travis here. >> All members are present. >> Item B, approve minutes and agenda. November 13,
0162025 committee meeting minutes. November 13, 2025, regular board meeting minutes. November the 19th, 2025 special board meeting minutes and the current agenda. Can I get a motion to approve those collectively? >> Motion by Mr. George Hughes, second by Miss Lolita Porter. Any questions? No questions should pass by general consent. Item C, new business. None. Item D, superintendent report. >> Good evening board members and good evening community. I would like to uh share with you all our leap 2025 uh results from last school year. So, I'll just dive right on into it. Um, as you all know, our district uh vision is to create a productive school culture for change that develops um that increases learner success, develops educator effectiveness, and builds public confidence. And we work hard every day to ensure that that vision comes
017into fruition. So, I'd like to start off with the early learning center um results. Um for two consecutive years, I think maybe three consecutive years now, our early learning center has received um high proficient label and that is um we're very proud of that of that success and that work. And so, we commend Miss Smith and her staff and her faculty for doing a great job. All right. Next, I would like to share information with you about our 2024 graduates. Um, so in the old accountability system and the information I'm sharing with you now, um, graduation rates are they lag a year behind. So, we look at 2024 graduates. So we saw an 8 point increase in the strength of diploma and 2023 we saw an 83.1B. Uh for 2024 it ra it went up
018to a 91.1A. For our graduation rate, the actual graduation rate in 2023 it was 80%. 2024 graduating class, it went up to 82.4. That's a 2.4 uh percent increase. For our um ninth grade Carnegie units, that is how many of our ninth graders actually completed ninth grade and how many Carnegie units do they have entering into 10th grade? In 2024, our score was 136.88. In 2025, it's 141.48. That's a 4.6 point increase. So for the uh high school, St. Alina College and Career Academy, the letter grade in 2024 was a 55.3D and now in 2025, it's 60.5 C. That's a 5.2 point increase. Uh so our high school moved up a whole letter grade from a D to a C. However, there is more work that needs to be done. When we look at the
019Arts and Technology Academy, um they decreased from 2024. They went from 49.5F to 45.1 F. So that's a 4.4 decrease for our ACT. In 2024, it was a 24.5F. For 2025, it went up to 28.3F. Although that is a 3.8 increase, we're moving in the right direction, but there's definitely more work that needs to be done with regard to ACT. And then the progress for our high school in 2024, it was 78.3C. It dropped to 73.4 C. that is a 4.9 uh point decrease. So the things that we are working on to improve those areas, the first um and I'm saying the same thing over and over again. The first thing we want to increase our test scores and then we want to increase community involvement. When we talk about increasing test scores, um there
020are three focus areas. We want to improve the quality of instruction, ensure mastery of content, and then have our teachers use data and our administrators use data to drive instruction. When we talk about quality um instruction, what does that look like? We're focusing on those achievement level descriptors. Those are things that our kids need to know or be able to do and at what particular level. We want them to do it at the mastery and advanced level, not at the basic or below level. So, we are pushing our teachers to understand what those achievement level descriptors are and use that in the classroom to improve the quality of instruction. For mastery of content, we are focusing on the formative assessments. making sure that before the teacher moves on to the next chunk of information that
021they do something to ensure that all kids have mastered that particular piece of information. And if they haven't then they need to look at some type of differentiated instruction or additional supports to ensure that those kids or those learners uh mastered that content. And all of that is wrapped up in using data to drive decisions. When we use data to drive uh drive our decisions, we can differentiate our learning and making sure that kids are grouped accordingly so that they can receive the supports that they need. We are also really standing firm and we started off this school year with our three-week observation cycle and those are led by Dr. John Paul and also Miss Nettles. Um so I just want to just give an overview of what the three-week observation cycle looks like. In
022week one, our teachers come here at central office and they receive two hours of intense professional development. We're providing them with the supports that they need to ensure that they have that high quality instruction and it's all focused around the quality instruction, mastery of content, and using data to drive instruction. In week two, uh the team goes out and conducts observation and provides feedback for the um for the teachers. And then in week three, they do coaching and support. So, they're actually talking with the teachers, they're doing model lessons, they're providing them with that one-on-one support that they need to be successful. So those are the main things that we are doing to ensure that we increase our test scores for this school year. As far as uh the next thing, increasing community involvement, we
023need parents to support the school system. We need parents to come and help us. We need our parents to support our children. So, some of the things that we've done so far to increase the community involvement, we've had our comm our schoolboard meetings in the various um areas within the district. Uh we will have parent academy. We had a parent parishwide parent meeting. It was rescheduled to December 16th, so it's next week. What time does it start? >> 5:30. >> At 5:30. So, we're asking for our parents to come out um and see what they can do. they look at their uh learners data, come and see what they can do to help support our school system and their children. Uh we will also have you know free food and we'll have entertainment for them
024as well. I also know that at the ENT they have monthly data meetings with their parents when they do have their uh faculty meetings. Um the ELC will have a Christmas celebration so they parents can come out and see their children perform. We do have a maker space at the arts and technology academy and we did have um an event where we ask our parents to come in and learn about what is being provided in that space and at the school. We also provide food and other uh items for our uh our kids and our community through our Lena's closet and food pantry. We've done it uh Thanksgiving Day lunch and we have lots of partnerships now that uh that's supporting our schools. So these are just some of the things that we're doing to
025try to get um to increase our community involvement because it's not just the parents, it's also the business and industry. So overall progress for our school district for our K to8 and this is where the biggest um growth was shown. In 2024 we were at a 47F 2025 we increased to a 63.1 C. That is a 16.1 increase. So that is a lot of work that was done and that is attributed to all of the hard work of our school administrators, our district staff, and all of our teachers and our parents and and our kids working together to make this happen. So we're on the right track for our high school progress. Um in 2024 it was 78.3C and it dropped by 4.9 points to 73.4. 4 C. So while we maintain the C, it
026did decrease by 4.9 points. Overall, our district results um in 2020, I'm sorry, for K8 and high school all put together, that's the growth. How did our district grow? 2024, we're 61.8C. 2025, we improved to 68.3C. That is 6.5 point increase. So, we are growing. We're moving in the right direction. So, finally, our district letter grade 2024, it was a 54.9D. 2025, it increased by 2.1 points to a 57D. We are ranked number 19 in the state out of 69 districts and we are above the state average. So, I think that we are in the right we're moving in the right direction. We have lots more work to do, but as you can see, we're absolutely moving in the right direction. Now, with that, we can celebrate for a little while, but now we're in
027a new accountability system where we talk about grow, thrive, and achieve. So, this is a more uh rigorous accountability system. The focus is on growth and we have received our simulated scores. Um if we did nothing at all, nothing at all, right, our uh arts and technology academy would be uh D because of the growth that is taking place that's not truly reflected in the previous accountability system but is now. But our high school would be an F. It would drop from a C to an F. uh and that is because of the performance on the test scores. We need our kids to take these tests seriously and we need our parents to come on board with us to help us push to get our kids to understand the importance of doing their level best
028at school every single day. So there are some initiatives that we have in place now to address this new accountability system. So these are just some highlighted things that we're doing. We have partnered with the Kirkland group to provide academic support. Uh we do have a strong partnership with the department of education where they have their uh representatives coming in and not just providing support for the district or for teachers uh but actually going in and having um model lessons with the kids. That is really unheard of. But you know in meeting with our state superintendent Dr. K. Brumley, we had a special meeting with him to talk about what are the needs that we have in our school district and these are some of the things that we shared with him and that's the
029things that they're providing those supports around. We also have a mirror tutoring for our K8. We have our Zern platform. We're using K12 intervene high dosage tutoring. We do have a strong internship program now which started last year. So because of that we were able to really you know push forward um with it this year. We had opportunity now that is a program that provides internships for our exceptional kids. Uh we also have a partnership with Xavier University for a pharmacy club and hopefully we'll turn that into another opportunity for dual enrollment in the pharmacy area. Uh we are providing or looking at providing ACT support specifically for the types of kids that we uh service. We also have a medical program at the high school where our kids are getting EKG flabbotomy and medical
030assistant certification. That's a bundle that's uh being provided. I went into the classroom the other day and I saw the kids sticking the uh drawing blood from each other and I'm like I no me. But that was great that they're able to do it. Um and so when they finish the program they will be fully certified. We are also looking at a GIS program that's geographical information system. Um it is also another program. It's a bundle where the kids will receive certification in this program. We also have a partnership still with Northshore Community College. And please help me Miss Singleton the number of credentials that our kids are receiving there. It's in culinary arts. >> So, um, culinary arts, uh, they just tested, so we're waiting those results. And for the welding program, we had,
031um, 13 learners to receive the credentials. Um, 11 received their NCPR core and the construction safety and, uh, the other two just did the construction safety. >> Okay. Um we also partner with Southeastern Southern University. Um we are also now reestablishing our partnership with the Rail Southwest because now they do have federal funding which is a great thing. That program is back and they are providing us support with recruit recruitment and retention of uh teachers and academic support and specifically it's around fractions and we also have our robotics program. So with all of that so far, the progress that we've made, we're ranked number one in the state of Louisiana for mirror tutoring usage. We're ranked number three in Louisiana for our Zern usage. As Miss Smith uh I'm sorry, Miss Singleton stated, 13 of
032our learners received the NCC certifications at Northshore Welding Program. And of those 13, 11 received both core and construction site safety orientation certifications. We have our opportunity now program for our exceptional learners. And we're also having our digital media class. And their first project is to create a video for the LSBA video contest. So you will see us, you know, showcasing our uh kids there. Um and then we also have a digital ambassadors committee that we formed and that is a focus around artificial intelligence. We're one of the first districts in the state, if not the we are the first district in the state to have an AI policy and academic honesty policy. And we um just this week the committee we presented at the last conference and sharing with them the things that we
033did during our AI. So we are moving in the right direction. However, there are opportunities to improve. We all are aware of that. So, as we continue working to strengthen our district, it is essential that we speak honestly about our areas for growth and the collective responsibility we share in creating a safe and academically successful environment for every learner. Safety remains and will always remain our top priority. Our learners and employees deserve to come to school each day feeling secure and supported. We have already established a number of tools, systems, and protocol calls across our district to help maintain safe campuses, and we will continue to utilize these measures with consistency. We will also continue to review our practices to ensure we are improving in every possible way. But we must acknowledge a reality. We
034cannot predict the future. No one can. But what we can do is mitigate threats by staying vigilant, following our established protocols, and responding decisively when concerns arise. So safety is not a single action. It's an ongoing responsibility that requires all of us to remain focused and proactive. As part of our improvement efforts, the district will review several key safety related policies, including building and ground security, public conduct on school property, personal security and safety, and our technology policy. Updating these policies will allow us to clarify expectations for behavior, strengthen supervision and environmental safety measures, and ensure that our procedures reflect current best practices. Separately, we will also conduct a review of our pupil progression plan, which guides academic expectations, promotion requirements, and the standards our learners must meet. This is especially important because it reinforces
035the seriousness of LEAP 2025 and helps ensure our learners stay on a successful academic path. With the new, more rigorous accountability system now in place statewide, it is critical that we align our practices, communicate our expectations clearly, and support our learners in meeting these heightened standards. Academic success is a shared effort, and the pupil progression plan plays a vital role in that work. However, improved policies alone are not enough. We need parents to work with us and we are asking for your help. We need you to reinforce expectations at home, monitor your children's social media activity, maintain communication with school leaders, and talk to your children about safety, respect, and academic responsibility. When families and schools stand together, learners benefit the most. And finally, we are committed to increasing stakeholder input and communication. Our goal
036is to create a more meaningful opportunity for parents, students, staff, and community partners to provide feedback, share concerns, and help shape the direction of our district. Your voice matters, and we want your involvement in this work. The areas we are addressing tonight are not just concerns. They are opportunities to improve, opportunities to enhance safety, strengthen academic expectations, and build a school system that reflects the values and aspirations of the St. Helena Parish community. We will continue to do our part with diligence, transparency, and unwavering commitment. But we cannot do this alone. With your partnership, parents, your engagement, and your support, we can create a safer, academically stronger, and more unified St. Helena Parish School District. And with that, I would like to turn it over to Miss Cassidy Cahoot, who is our president for the
037Superintendent Advisory Council. as she goes to the podium. I'd like to also let you know that our uh superintendent's advisory council did host a learner summit on November 20th. And this Tuesday, December 16th, at 1:00 p.m., we will have several visitors come in and present to our learners, Pastor Moses Sims, Pastor Lonnie R. Tucker, and attorney Michelle Cook. They will talk about the three components that our superintendent advisory council members are pushing to their peers and that is purpose, leadership and respect. Um, sorry. Good evening everyone. My name is Cassie Cjo. Um, and tonight I'm speaking for the learners of our school as and as president of the superintendent advisory council. I want to speak directly to our parents and community because the past few days have been tough for us all. I'm sorry. The
038incident that happened last Thursday um the fight, the injury, the video, and the news coverage has made our school look like something is not. Um and the comments that followed online were painful to read. People called us animals. Some acted like our school was broken beyond repair, but that's not who we are. We are a small school. We know each other. A lot of the kids here grew up side by side. And like any group of young people, we have our good days and our bad days. Um but one bad moment does not define every learner that walks into our classrooms. Um there is a saying that even if a tree is leaning, that doesn't mean it's going to fall. >> Sometimes it just needs support. Sometimes it needs someone to straighten it. That's how
039students are. One moment, one mistake, one incident doesn't mean a child is lost or hopeless. It means they need guidance, patience, and a community that believes in them. And that's where all of you come in. One thing I've not noticed is how differently the good and bad are treated. When the school posts something positive on Facebook, a celebration, an accomplishment, something we're proud of, it barely gets any attention. >> Hardly any shares, hardly any comments. But the moment something bad happens, everybody is sharing it. Everybody is talking about it and it spreads faster than any good ever does. That's why it feels like people only see one side of us and that's the worst side. They they and they ignore everything else. But every day there are learners who show up and show respect, who
040help their friends, who try to do their best and make choices they can be proud of. Those moments don't go viral, but they matter. They are the truth of our school just as much as any headline. We're not perfect. None of us are. Every learner, every family, every human being has struggles. But we are full of potential, full of heart, and full of good that often goes unnoticed. Parents, community, we need and community members, we need you. We need your involvement, your support, and your belief in us. When you stand with us, when you show up, when you stay connected, you see who we really are, not the version strangers on the internet paint, decide to paint. I'm proud of our learners. I'm proud of our school and I hope after everything that's been said,
041our community will choose to see the bigger picture. Not a school defined by one moment of conflict, but a school filled with children who are learning, growing, and doing the best. Thank you all. Great. Last announcement is that our holiday uh break for Christmas and New Year will begin on December 22nd um and end on January 5th. Our teachers will come back on um January 5th for professional development and then uh kids return on the 6th. So, just wanted to put that out there and I want to thank Cassidy for her comments and um at this time I'll take any questions or concerns that the board members or anyone in the community may have. So, if not that concludes my report. I must say that young lady, I'm very proud of you cuz that incident
042definitely does not define who S. Helena is. And I'm glad you put that out there. And I truly hope that the parents will realize that it takes a village to raise any child. not one person alone can raise a child. So we need the community to get involved in a positive way. Um so learners can see that what it's about. Next item, approve committee reports uh from December 11th, 2025. Can I get a motion? >> Motion by Mrs. Travis, second by Mr. Joyce Porter. Any questions? No questions. pass for general consent. Um, next meeting will be January the 8th, 2026. Okay. Item F, executive session. Can I get a motion that we go into executive session? >> How move we go into executive session? >> Motion by Mr. Travis, second by Mr. Chu. No questions.
043We shall return. Can I get a motion that we return from executive session? >> I second. >> Motion by Miss Joyce Porter, second by Mr. Hughes that we return from executive session. items up for that we discussed in executive session was taken under careful consideration. Our next meeting date will be January the 8, 2026. Closing comment board members, any comments? >> Ditto ditto ditto ditto. >> All right. So that last motion this meeting is adjoined. All yays.