STPPS Board Meeting – 4/16/26

001Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> That's Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Heat. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Welcome everyone. Um, I'd like to call this Thursday, April 16th's meeting, schoolboard meeting to order. Miss Kley, will you please call the role? Mr. Green here, >> Miss Hansen here, Miss Rutherford here, >> Miss Font Laoy, Mr. Harold here, >> Miss Martin >> here, Miss Moore here, >> Dr. Peterson here, >> Miss Baker >> here, >> Miss

002McCullum, >> Miss Flame, >> Miss Hurst >> here, >> Mr. Bro here, >> Mr. Kuzanne here, >> Miss Rafino Gallagher >> here. >> All right, tonight we have some of our robotics students here with us. And two of those students are going to give our invocation and our pledge of allegiance. Um, Mr. Hill from Cington High School will give our invocation and Mr. Miley from Madisonville Junior High will say the pledge. Everyone, please stand. >> Go to the Lord in prayer. Thank you, Lord, for this day you've given us. Thank for Thank you for everyone here and just all the blessings you've provided us with. And thank you for all these these people that are so generous and kind to let us be here and present um what you've allowed us to to do. Um

003just just thank you for everything. Pray that this this goes with your will. And in your son's name, Jesus, we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> [clears throat] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Do I have any school board members who would like to recognize anyone with us tonight? Uh would you please get into the queue? Let's do that. [laughter] Saw a lot of hands raising. Miss Hansen, thank you. I would like to recognize a former student of mine, Rebecca Sullivan Hammond. Um I just want to say she's going to be recognized for something tonight. She was a former student of mine at Coington High School

004and uh she also graduated with my daughter in the class of 2001. Um and it just it I it warms my heart to see one of my former students go into education and then to go on and to become an administrator, be a principal, it just says a lot about you. Uh Rebecca is a strong leader. Um she's compassionate and she has integrity. She cares about other people and she's fair and I loved having her as a student and we are so um fortunate to have her as what role she's going to be in after tonight. Thank you, >> Miss Gallagher. [clears throat] >> I apologize because I'm normally more on top of this, but I did not check the schedule, but I do know that Northshore High School is playing in the first round

005of the playoffs tonight at 6:30. So, good luck to Northshore and all the other schools in our district who are playing. And I apologize that I did not check the Northshore prep report before I came in today because I'm usually the sports update person. So, I do apologize, but good luck to everybody this week on playoffs. [snorts] >> Miss Bonoy, >> um there are tons of people out here that I see from my former uh work experience. And I welcome all of you, but it's not every night that you get a chance to embarrass your sister. So, I would like to uh recognize my sister who is here and she's also retired after 33 years of teaching kindergarten. So, [applause] >> Miss Rutherford, >> I'd like to welcome all of our Lion teachers who are

006here. Um I see them on campus um several times throughout the year and I'm so happy to see some of them here this evening. And I especially want to welcome um Cindy Lester who retired from Lion last year. I miss her dearly. I was in her sore program volunteering weekly there. And um welcome to all the parents who was here too. I see past PTA president Britney. Um so I'm so happy y'all are here. [snorts] >> Mr. Harold. >> Thank you ma'am. I've never seen so many AA mill uh employees and f uh fifth ward employees in one in the building at one time. So, thank you'all for coming. Y'all should come more often. >> All right, seeing no one else. Uh next we will have our superintendent's update, Mr. Jabia. >> Thank you, President

007Martin. Um great being with you guys tonight. First off, thanks to our robotic students. Uh you guys are amazing, but our [applause] But our our students, our students, our sponsors, uh our mentors, our families, everybody that was here tonight to support these kids. I think we all uh learned a whole lot tonight and I'm just so proud of the work you guys do. So, thank y'all so much for showing off tonight. I really appreciate it. Um you know, our our elementary school students do so many great things. Uh but a really cool thing happens at Aita Elementary. Uh they do an insectarium. So, I'm going to let you check out a video first and I'll kind of tell you about my experience there. >> You guys are here at Aita Springs Elementary because we had

008our second grade insectarium today. [music] It is a um culminating activity out of our CKLA domain all about insects. So, they [music] were asked to create a 3D insect based on an insect that we gave them. They did a research project on it to find um three facts about their insect and where it lived and what it eats. And then they [music] decided what facts they wanted to tell us at the insectarium to share with their classmates to share with the school and their parents. >> I created a monarch butterfly for my insect. My favorite part about [music] creating the insect is that I got to make the wings and they could be any color. >> So this is our third year doing [music] it. The students come in, the parents come in, they really

009like the community connection between seeing their kids kind of in action. [music] They get to see what they've been learning. They put their learning to the test and they really get to explain all [music] of the things that they learned. It's really great. >> My favorite part about the insectarium was telling you kids and older kids about my insect. Prey mantises are the only animal except for [music] people that can see in 3D. >> My favorite part of the insectarium is that your parents could come and you had a lot of fun explaining it to grown-ups and younger kids. >> For them to be [music] able to use their communive skills and be able to talk to not just their peers but to older adults is a super important thing that we like to cultivate

010[music] here. I hope that they really enjoyed doing what they do, seeing that [music] it's not as scary as they thought it was going to be, and to really just get to be involved with everybody [music] in our school. [applause] So, the students uh create their their insect and then they do a funf facts part. So, they're able to kind of talk about the insect and kind of explain a few cool facts and they and they share the time. Uh, and they did just they did an amazing job and it's a great job of just them getting used to speaking to adults, speaking to others, kind of explaining themselves. So, I appreciate Miss Burns and all of the teachers at uh Abida Elementary that made that happen. It was truly a great experience. A few

011things that went on this week. Um, I made two trips to Baton Rouge. uh one on Tuesday. So, I'm talking to all of our employees out there. Um we I had a huge meeting with about 10 superintendents uh members of Governor Landry staff and members of TRSL so that we could better understand and be able to explain constitutional amendment number three. Uh I'll be putting out more information about it, but basically they they solidified our guarantee from them that once the move money is moved over from the tobacco funds and all the funds there that it will directly go uh to fund a permanent teacher pay raise and a permanent employee pay raise. Uh so I'll be putting more out there. Uh again there they solidified that if uh that does happen, constitution amendment 3

012does pass uh that they will guarantee moving forward with additions to the MFP and completely fund our EF and our block grants. So we are uh we are very it was it was a very positive meeting. Let me say that it cleared up a lot of information. I brought back some information. So, I'm going to get Miss Mendes to kind of roll that out as we get a little bit closer and get you guys and email out uh all of our employees in my Friday email some information on that. I I cannot make a stand. I can't make a I can't say go do this or do that. Uh kind of similar to the the millage and the bond issue. Uh but I can put out information so you can better understand it. So, I

013will be putting that out so that it'll better hopefully clarify some of the questions you might have and I'm always available to answer any questions you might have after you get that. Next, uh on yes, yesterday uh I was able to attend a Bessie board meeting where one of our own employees uh a paraprofessional at Creekide, Mr. Mr. [clears throat] Aaron Spring, was recognized as a state support employee of the year. So, >> [applause] >> just an amazing accomplishment. I mean, the they the the the candidates for that for that position or for that recognition were from all over the state. Just people that that give their heart and soul uh to their school systems and for Aaron to be recognized. If any of you know Aaron, we'll have him here next uh next month.

014Uh but any of you know Aaron uh at Creekide and what he does for Pur community. If there's an event at one of the Creekide Riverside uh Pearl River schools, he is there supporting our kids and he supports them every day at school. So congratulations to Aaron. Aaron's a former student of mine at at Northshore High School and his father Rick coached football, excuse me, coached basketball and taught for us for a very long time. He has since retired. Um, but it it was great seeing the entire family and I'm just glad I was there to be able to support him moving forward. Today we had our last superintendent advisory committee uh for our seniors. Uh so it was great to be at SL High. We were at SL High for a couple hours. Uh

015had a tremendous meeting. Uh for those of you that uh don't know, Thomas Mitchell, who is uh the director of the Hope House here uh in St. Tammy Parish, was there to present to our kids and and so was Joey Roberts. Joey Roberts used to run the YMCA here in town. He is now the director of the Children's Museum of St. Tammy. So, they were there to share a message with our kids. And uh Thomas is going to be recruiting our students in the fall to come up and he will is going to form uh a junior advisory committee. So, any students out there that would like to be a part of that, please let me know and I will forward Thomas your information. Uh but he's looking for about 8 to 10 high school

016students to be part of an adi junior advisory committee for the hope house and to help us continue to do right for our adolescence and our children in St. Tammy. So thank them both of them for coming out today and spending some time with us. And last but not least, I'm going to try and get through this without crying. Um so tomorrow I will not be at work tomorrow. I'm uh I'm flying to Atlanta. So, my daughter um was uh she was along I I've talked we have we've had some swimmers come here that we've recognized, but my daughter swam for 18 years and uh tomorrow night she's going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at her university. >> [applause] [applause] >> My goodness. >> Thank y'all. I'm It's so hard. And so

017my my my daughter swimming is very difficult. Uh especially female swimming. Uh she had to go to Bernal University in Georgia. Uh where she was on a full ride there. half academic, half uh athletic. Uh she was a four-time conference champion, a four-time NI all-American, and she was also the student body president. So, uh she was very involved. Uh and I'm just so proud of her. So, I'm sorry. Thank y'all very much. I apologize. Thank you. [applause] Thank you, Miss Martin. >> Thank you, Mr. Jabia. Do I have any questions from board members for Mr. Javia? Are we going to have anybody? I know robotics was here earlier and they were in the atrium and I did not make it, but for anybody out there, is anybody from robotics going to speak before we let

018them leave? >> I just want to make sure so I don't don't say what my was on my phone to say if they're going to say it for me. And hey, Dr. Clark, my leadership Northshore graduate companion and Miss Marino. Sorry I didn't see y'all earlier. I'm done. >> All right. So, actually, uh, I'm going to switch our agenda items up just a tad. And what we're going to do next is we are going to hear about National Robotics Week by Miss Jones. Um, before while she's making her way up to that podium, I can just tell you guys that we are super excited that you're here. We loved everything that we saw out there and we are very excited that you're here today. Miss Jones, take it away. >> All right. Good evening, President

019Martin, Superintendent Javia, board members, and guests. It's my pleasure to be here this evening for this special celebration of National Robotics Week, a time when we highlight the importance of robotics, STEM education, and the incredible opportunities these fields create for our students. National Robotics Week is not only about recognizing innovation and technology, but also about inspiring the next generation of engineers, coders, and problem solvers. Tonight, we're here to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of our robotics teams across St. Tamony Parish Public Schools. From elementary to high school, our students have demonstrated dedication, creativity, and teamwork, building robots, very quickly, in some cases, coding solutions, and competing at the highest levels. Our teams have participated in numerous competitions throughout the year and have consistently brought home top honors. Some of our elementary and middle

020school students are building their skills in the first Lego Leagues. LL is a global STEM program for children that fosters critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on robotics, teamwork, and realworld problem solving. participants build, program, and explore challenges using LEGO technology, emphasizing core values and innovation. We hope that this early exposure encourages them to stay involved in robotics throughout their school journey. Our junior highs and high schools have been participating in a variety of competitions throughout the school year. At the secondary level, our schools compete in the first tech challenges and the first robotic competitions. Additionally, some of our high schools are participating in SEAP perch competitions. SEAP Perch is an underwater robotics competition where students design, build, and operate remotely operated vehicles to perform speed and mission courses underwater. We also have some

021of our team participating in VEX competitions. We know that our students love to question, tinker, and experiment and play. VEX competitions foster these skills and capitalize on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner. VEX competitions are also a great way to expose students to valuable soft skills like communication, collaboration, and time management and a fun and authentic way. Let me tell you a little bit, and we only have time for a little bit about some of our wonderful teams. Little Oak hosts two first Lego League robotics teams, the Brainiacs and the Tech Lords. The Brainiacs were named champions of the competitions they participated in. Both teams advanced to the state championship where the Brainiacs placed in the top 10 in the robot game and

022tech lords won the engineering excellence award. At Mandeville Junior High, they have the Nova Pyro Robotics, which is made up of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders from Mandeville Junior High and Mandeville High School. They won the Louisiana FTC regional championship and are currently ranked in the top 150 teams in the world. Yes, I said world and officially qualified for the first Tech Challenge World Championship in Houston later this month. Chafuncta Middle, the Bite-sized Gators, attended the Fountain Blue Regional Competition where they won the core values award and advanced to the LouisianaLL state championship. Fountain Blue High School, the Robo-Dog students immersive engineering experiences while teaching team building, project management, leadership, and communication skills. members gain hands-on experience creating, building, and maintaining robots, skills that prepare them for many future careers. The Robo-Dogs had three VEX

023teams qualify for and compete at the VEX State Championship. They also had an F FRC team compete at the Magnolia Regional as well as the Bayou Regional. The Mandaville High robotics team SS Prometheus competes in first competitions. They won the team spirit award at the Magnolia Regionals and won the excellence in engineering award at Bayou Regionals. SS Prometheus is currently participating in the Tallahassee regionals. They are there now. The results there this weekend will determine if they receive an invitation to compete in the World Championship. Northshore High has two teams, one land and one sea. Team 1912 combustion, which is the first robotics team, was awarded the judges award and gracious professionalism award. These accomplishments qualified the team to compete at the first world's championship competition in Houston with a newly remodeled robot. The Northshore

024Swim Shadies is a sea sea perch team [laughter] that competed in two regional competitions. At the 4H Louisiana Sea Perch Challenge at LSU, they were named the state champions for the third year in a row. At the Mississippi GF Coast Regional Sea Perch Challenge at USM, they were named regional champions. Both of these wins earned them, the Swim Shadies, an invitation to the in International Sea Perch Challenge at the University of Maryland coming up in a couple of weeks. The Pearl River Robo Rebels compete in both VEX Robotics Competitions and Sea Perch underwater competitions. They had two Sea Perch teams compete at regional competitions at Southeastern and USM. The Rebel Marines team earned first place in obstacles at USM and grand champion for open class at Southeastern. Rebel Marines will be competing in Sea Perch

025inter international at the University of Maryland as well. The RoboRebels VEX team had a great season of engineering, mathematics, and coding with their land-based robot as well. Covington High School Lionbots have three VEX competition teams who have won numerous awards throughout the competition season. At the VEX Louisiana High School state competition, they won the Create Award, which honors teams for creative engineering solutions and a strong documented design process. and the think award which recognizes effective and consistent use of coding techniques and programming design solutions to solve the game challenge. As a result, they have been invited to compete at the VEX Robotics World Competition in St. Louis next week. I would like for you to hear from a few of our robotics students as they share how robotics impacts their life. First, we have Taylor

026Golden, an eighth grader at Mandavville Junior High. [applause] >> Hello. >> To me, robotics is something that wasn't necessarily an aspiration. What I saw last year in our team's rookie year was a club that I thought looked cool, a place where I could spend my after school, where I could learn some new things and meet some new people. What I didn't expect was the whirlwind I'd be sucked into that to be honest consumes all my free time. But I couldn't be happier about it. As a team, a newer team, we've been learning a lot of things together. When it started, I was told by my friends, you're an outgoing person. You should join this team. And I thought, um, I think I just seem outgoing. I am kind of the per the type of person

027to stick to myself and only talk to those who present themselves to me first. But that changed when I joined robotics. What I thought was that I'd learned how to build a robot and I definitely did. And that that was definitely a step outside of my comfort zone. But I also learned what it takes to be outgoing. Actually, last year I was appointed to be the media lead of my team. I connect with other teams, connect with my community, and plan outreach events as well as social media things. I've learned that challenging yourself can be not only important, but fun, too. This year as a returning member for our second year as a team, I've had the opportunity to witness new students come and join our team. They seemed like I did at first, kind

028of shrinking into themselves, but sorryeyed, hiding their ideas inside their heads because they were scared that they wouldn't be accepted. But like I did, they learned that it's important to step out and share your ideas because they will be accepted and they've learned how to work as a team. Within all our sub teams, we're constantly doing different things, trying to delegate and figure out how to do things cohesively, but making sure that it all gets done within the limited time frame we have. But also, each member of our team is also trying different things that they haven't before. For example, last year I really didn't know how to use power tools. To be honest, I was kind of scared of them. But I've learned how to operate a lathe, a laser cutter, an angle grinder,

029and more throughout our seasons as a team. I've learned that while it may seem like things are scary, it can really be our inexperience with them that is controlling us and dictating how we act. Throughout all my time on this team, I've learned many things together. We've learned how to operate as a team, how to be leaders and listeners. And most importantly, while it seems like things may be scary at first, letting our fear, our inexperience control how we act, can prevent us from learning things that are really important and things that will help us throughout our whole lives. That's what robotics has taught me. [applause] Wow. Thank you, Taylor. Now, we have two juniors from Covington High School, Hamilton Hamilton Rosales and Colin Sephilu, who will tell you a little bit about their impact

030or their work with robotics. [applause] Good evening. My name is Hamilton Rosales, a current junior at Covington High School and member of 51548A, one of three of our wonderful robotics teams here at Coington High School. As a first year member of the team, I'm very happy to be able to share my experience with robotics and by association STEM education. Now, one very important thing to understand about robotics that even it's that even at its core, the sport is fairly intensive. And you know, again, as a first member of the team, the learning curve was particularly brutal because beyond the computer science and engineering required to actually build and make the robot move, like she mentioned, a good robotics team also demands a variety of soft skills. This includes leadership, basic project management, and documentation, which

031all mimics real world engineering teams and thereby equip students with in demand career skills. But beyond all these super technical terms, there's also a very distinct sense of community that permeates this robotics team. Um, and I think that's what equips a lot of these students and millions of VEX alumni across the country with this sense of community, with a sense of familiarity, and it's definitely had an impact in my life. Um, and on that note, I'd actually like to give a very special shout out to two sophomores in the audience right now, uh, Tommy Wen and Jada Reard. They've been particularly uh prominent in my progress on the team and have made me feel right at home on team A. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, I'm also a member of the Coington High School robotics

032team. I'm on 51548B. I'm Colin Sephilu. To me, robotics is it's a little more than just the the robots and and the the engineering. the engineering it's it's a big part of it, but there's also all the other things like the small little skills that impact your life so much that you don't even know when you're here. Like like all the coding and all of the engineering obviously, but it's there's so much that in the moment you don't know that it's going to impact your life forever, right? right now like we keep learning so much and we managed to qualify for the world championships which is a first for us right and that's it's mainly because of all that we've learned and I mean I can see myself two years ago or three years ago

033whenever I first started on this team and I didn't know what I was doing I was just kind of throwing myself at the problem until we figured out uh a solution and I mean you get better at it over the years right I I mean, uh, look at us now, right? [laughter] I mean, our first year, we we didn't do well at state at all. I'm just going to be honest. I don't But I mean, we've gotten to this point. We've I mean, team A won the think award or Yeah, won the think award. And no, we won the think award. Y'all run the >> You got to call. [laughter] But like and it's also the community like you said the community is just so it's so important and I and I'm happy that I

034I feel like I've contributed to that community being able to help the state as a whole like keep going and become better. Like I don't know with Vex like the state has gotten better and that's not just me saying that because I've gotten better. The whole state as a whole has gotten better. I can see that just by just by watching over the years and I feel like as a state we've all gotten better and I feel like we all have some responsibility for that and I'm really happy that we've all made it to this point and that all the skills that we've learned will help us so so far into the future. Thank you for having me. [applause] the voices of our children. Wow. I keep throwing myself at the problem until we get

035the solution. And isn't that what we want out of all of our students? It really is. And so, when in closing, it goes without saying that robotics transcends age and experience. I mean, you've seen it from all of our kids here tonight, just from the youngest up to the oldest. Um, from VEX to First to Sea Perch, our students are global contenders. global contenders. I'm thrilled to share that our district teams have secured five tournament championships and five international qualifications and we currently have a team competing this weekend. So that number may rise to six global competitions. That's a true testament to the strength of our students, teachers, and schools. And we're looking forward to carrying this momentum into next year with even more growth, innovation, and success. And I think some of you heard

036some of those plans for next year as you were making your way around the showcase. They're eager to tell you all the things they're going to do and they will get them done. We're not just building robots. We are building a legacy. I'd like to take the opportunity tonight to acknowledge and thank the outstanding team of robotic coaches, mentors, parents, sponsors who work with and support these teams. Without their support, our teams could not possibly be as successful as they have proven throughout the year. As you have seen and heard tonight, our teams are committed to advancing the boundaries of innovation and robotics, fostering creativity, teamwork, leadership, and technical excellence. Together, we strive to ignite a passion for engineering and technology. Thank you again for celebrating with us, and thank you for supporting robotics in

037our schools. [applause] Um, again, we are so excited that you are here and we are so incredibly proud of each and every one of you for everything that you've accomplished, for all the hard work that we see that you give these programs. Um would all of our robotic students, their parents, coaches, teachers, mentors, please stand up so we can appreciate you for everything that you've done. [applause] [applause] And I'm going to take a two-minute break and let all of you leave. >> Oh, well, hold on. Hold on. We have some people who wanna want to >> say say a little something. >> Miss Font Laoy >> just real quickly. I I followed the CHS team for for quite a while and I I've watched them over the years um and and even gone to some

038of their competitions and it was an honor to meet some of the rest of you tonight. The kids I talked to that I don't really I don't know them. I don't but I met them tonight. The seniors, some of these kids where they're headed next, it's super impressive. I mean, MIT, can we get them back to work for us? You know, they just Purdue, um, you know, they're and they're on scholarships and they're they're going into they're going into fields I can't hardly even pronounce. So, I I mean, just impressive. And to the sponsors, I just really wanted to say thank you. This is not your typical sponsorship. They invest a lot of time into these um these are weekend competitions. They're out of state. they're they're all over the place. So, thank you to

039the sponsors um for investing in our kids and uh making such a difference in their lives because um you know this is this is a niche I'm so glad that we finally fill in St. Tam and um really impressive kids. So, thank you, >> Miss Hson. >> Oh, wait. One more thing. I just want to challenge all of our other speakers tonight to do what those three did. Speak eloquently with not a single note. They [laughter] were That was impressive. >> [applause] >> I just want to thank all of y'all again as they so ditto to what she said. But something that one of the students said at Clemson High that really struck me and he's made some kind of comment about well you know I'm not going to say you know we failed the

040first year we went quote from Henry Ford failure is simply the opportunity to begin this time more intelligently. So congratulate yourself and recognize that every failure is an opportunity to have more enthusiasm, have more knowledge and learn. Thank you. Miss Hersus. Well, I'm gonna um Miss Hans, I'm going to kind of double down on that one. Um I'm going to say it's not how many times you fall, it's how many times you get back up after you fall. So, um Oh, thank y'all. What did I [laughter] But I just wanted to say um I'm gonna say y'all kicked butt. Can I say that? Okay. I usually get called to order when I say things. So, I'm I'm gonna try to be good. But no, y'all did. Man, the stuff that y'all do is so cool.

041You know, I was saying to a lot of people, we didn't have that back in school, you know, and and like I I know some of y'all do like Legos and and that build things and all that. We had Lincoln logs and the Legos we did, we were lucky to just make like a just like a little square tower, you know? It's like that's all we had. But y'all like, you know, making hoops and then doing this and then I mean that stuff you could bring to the moon. I mean, that's awesome. You know, I just I love what y'all are doing. And and you know, the how's that song go? The future is bright. Uh something I don't know, you wear jeans. I don't know how that song goes or anything, but it's great.

042And no matter what you what you go into, be it engineering, MIT, tech, LSU, and marketing, all of it is awesome. Seriously, all of it is awesome. And y'all are becoming leaders. Y'all are becoming, you know, team players, everything. It It's phenomenal. So, just um keep it up. Keep it up, man. You're doing better than me, and I'm 53. So, there you go. Mr. Rutherford. [applause] Um, I want to say congratulations to all the teams. I was so impressed with all the awards that y'all have received and work so hard for. Um, I want to thank Northshore High School's team for keeping us in contact, keeping us sending emails to us and letting us know what's going on with that 1912 combustion group. I really I'm really interested in hearing about them all the time.

043and the swim shadies. That is so impressive. I have never, you know, seen something like that happen. I was watching them go through hoops and stuff, catching those hoops on those little ends and stuff. But anyway, so good. And I love the all girl team at Pearl River High. So congratulate but congratulations to all of you. You have really um gone for have gone far and I'm quite impressed. Can't say can't wait to see what your future holds for you. Mr. Herrell. >> Thank you, President. Thank you, President Martin. That was so impressive. I love watching all the robots shooting the balls. My My only advice, if anybody ever says, "Hey, let's go take your robot and shoot the superintendent," just say no. Don't go along with it. [laughter] >> All right. Anyone else? Okay.

044[snorts] >> Well, now you guys are free to go um and enjoy the rest of your night. Thank you so much for being here and we're very very proud of you. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. N. >> [music] >> So you feel somebody's Hey. Hey. Hey. [music] We'll continue with our meeting here. Uh, next on the agenda, we have the Thank you. >> Next, we have announcement of administrative appointments by Superintendent Jabia. If everybody could please take their seats. Thank you, Miss Martin. Board members, it is my honor to recognize uh four principles that have been promoted uh to principal at their school and uh we are super excited to have them as part of our team. Uh, education overall is is is really a difficult job and uh it takes someone

045who's committed to the school, to the community uh and and are willing to do whatever it takes uh to progress our students and to move our our school forward. So, we're extremely happy to welcome our new members. And we'll start off tonight at Fifth Ward Junior High School Principal, Miss Rebecca Hammond. [applause] >> [applause] >> Mr. Jabia, board members, assistant superintendent, it's an honor to stand before you tonight and receive the appointment as principal at Fifth W Junior High. 20 years ago, I got a phone call from the principal of Fifth Ward Junior High asking me to come and take a long-term sub position in a grade level I never intended to ever teach, even though I was certified. I told him no twice, but then he he tricked me. He he convinced me to

046come and observe one of the best kindergarten teachers I've ever known, Denita Fontlery. And I don't know anybody who wouldn't be inspired by watching her teach. So I was convinced to do it very reluctantly. And by the end of the the semester, I had realized how much of a special place Fifth Ward truly is. And I didn't want to leave. The very last day of my time in that classroom, the principal said, "Would you like to be a tutor?" "Yes, I would like to be a tutor." And that began several acceptances of positions that I had no desire to do, but I didn't want to leave that school because of such a special place. I finally secured a permanent position as a teacher, and I loved it. Teaching kids like the one that just prayed

047for us, Cohen Hill. He was one of my former students. Our students are amazing. Our faculty is amazing. Our community is amazing and it's an honor to serve them every single day. One day I was in the cafeteria on cafeteria duty for elementary. I don't know if you've ever been in there when that happens, but in walked our assistant principal at the time, Michelle Simmons and she had the SLU uh recruiter with her and she walked him straight to me and said, "I'll cover your duty. You need to talk to him." That was the continuation of some push to go beyond the classroom. One thing that I realized that not only did I have a love for students, but I had a love for teaching teachers and helping teachers. And so I pursued that degree.

048Two years later, I had the opportunity to become the TRT at Fifth Word, which was my dream. That's what I wanted. I wanted to be in a position where I could help teachers. But two years after being TRT, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be the assistant principal of the amazing Michelle Simmons. Michelle, you are an amazing mentor and have taught me so much and I'm going to miss you terribly. Um, Kristen Samalock, you are the other side of my brain and I couldn't do what I do without you. To my amazing faculty and staff, you guys inspire me to continue to do every day what I do. to my family. You guys have always been my biggest cheerleaders and I could never take for granted the position that that has made in my

049life. My husband, our entire relationship has been about him pushing me to do the things I don't want to do and it's always worked out my benefit. Um, I I I I am so excited to continue to have the opportunity to make Fifth Word shine brighter than ever. And I am just overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that I've received. And I continue to make a commitment to make you proud each and every day. [applause] >> [applause] >> Rebecca's f family and friends, please stand and be recognized, please. [applause] Rebecca, [snorts] I just want to let you know that Brandon and I fought over who could give you that gift, but he's clearly bigger than me and he won. So, congratulations. >> Congratulations, Rebecca. Next, new principal at Florida Avenue Elementary, Miss Rachel Mareno. [applause]

050Good evening, school board members, Mr. Jabia, Mr. Alfonso, Mrs. Gardner, Dr. Langlo, and community members. I am honored to stand before you tonight to be recognized as the principal of Florida Avenue Elementary School. It is my great privilege to serve the students, teachers, and families of the Florida Avenue community. To the students of Florida Avenue Elementary, I look forward to meeting you and I already believe in you. You are leaders, goal setters, and difference makers. To the faculty and staff of Florida Avenue Elementary, I am committed to supporting you and collaborating with you to meet the needs of our students. We will work side by side so that every child every day has a successful tomorrow. To the families of Florida Avenue Elementary, our partnership is essential. I promise to keep open lines of communication

051with you so that together we can see your student grow, achieve, and thrive. To my former colleagues and administrators, some are here with me tonight. Thank you. Thank you for believing in me, sharing with me, and helping me to grow into the educator I am today. to my family, my husband John, our four children Johnny, Elizabeth, Tony, and Vinnie, my parents, and my brother who are here with me tonight. You are my greatest support system. Every day, I want to make you proud. In closing, teamwork makes the dream work. Let's do this, Florida Avenue Elementary Tigers. Thank you. [applause] Will Rachel's family and friends please stand and be recognized, please? [applause] That's right. [snorts] >> Congratulations, Rachel. Next from Aita Springs Middle School, Miss Chantel Petravich. [applause] Good evening everyone. Board President Martin, members of

052the board, Superintendent Jabia, Assistant Superintendent, colleagues, family, and community members. I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as principal of Vita Springs Middle School. I want to begin by sincerely thanking Mr. Jabia and board members for your trust and confidence in me. I do not take this responsibility lightly and I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and relentless focus on student success. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to our current principal, Mr. Strommyer, your leadership has built a strong foundation at Aida Springs Middle and I look forward to continuing the work you have started and building on that success. To the faculty and staff of Aida Springs Middle, you heard them all back there. Thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and the care you

053show for our students every single day. I am proud to work alongside such a committed team and I'm excited to support you as we continue striving for excellence together. The key word is always together. To my family, thank you for your constant support, encouragement, and understanding. You are the reason I am able to pursue opportunities like this, and I am incredibly grateful. As I step into this role, my focus will remain very clear. Creating a positive, supportive environment where every student at Aida Springs Middle can learn, grow, and succeed. I believe in high expectations, strong relationships, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. I am excited about the future of Aida Springs Middle School and I look forward to working together with our staff, families, and community to ensure the very best outcomes for all

054of our students. Thank you again for this opportunity and go Aida Middle Warriors. [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Well, Shantel's family and friends, please stand and be recognized. I have to say it. [applause] [applause] Congratulations, Chantel. Next, principal at Bay Lome Middle School, Dr. Zahira Clark. [cheering] [applause] >> Let's go. Giving honor to my heavenly father for all that he has done, is doing, and will do in my life. I am so grateful for the purpose that he has placed on me. Serving children and building communities has been the joy of my life. And I am thankful for Mr. Jabia and the board for my appointment, allowing me to continue my charged work. I would like to thank the ABNE administrators, Miss Gion and Miss Mir that I had the pleasure

055to serve. I am grateful to my colleagues and learning community for their hard work and the love and care they have given myself and our ABNE Spartans. To my ABNE Spartans, I will always treasure you all co coining me Mrs. Dr. Clark. [laughter] And it has been a true honor serving you and your families. As I continue my journey, I am reminded of the temp 10th chapter of Mark that tells me that I cannot lead without serving. So to my new Bayou Lacon family, I commit to serving you, to helping to build alongside you, and to establishing a strong partnership as we continue to grow the beautiful community of Lacon. And last but not least, to my to my family and my friends. I know that I stand here off your intercessory prayers. I am

056proud to continue our family's longstanding legacy of service and education. I pray I make those who serve before me proud. To my beautiful husband and children, thank you for your unwavering support and love. There is no way I can make it without you guys. Again, thank you to everyone who had a hand in helping this little old street girl to make an impact on the next generation. [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] [applause and cheering] >> Well, Dr. Clark's family and friends, please stand to be recognized. [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> S here. Thank you. Congratulations, dear. Congratulations. >> All right, >> Miss Martin. That that's that's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you. Congratulations, everyone. Uh, next on the agenda, we have paraprofessional appreciation day resolution that will be read by Miss Font Laoy. First,

057uh, do I have a motion to read this resolution? Miss Rutherford, do I have a second? Miss Hansen. Um, any comments by the public? Any questions by board members? >> All right. Go ahead, Miss Montroy. >> Um, I was an administrator prior to retirement, so I can testify firsthand that we simply cannot do it without our pair of professionals. Um, they they are directly contacting our kids just like our our teachers are. and um a a good parah can just make a a classroom a wonderful place to be. So um thank you for all you do and it's my honor to read this resolution. Whereas professional pair professionals are an essential part of our school district providing vital assistance to teachers in the collective effort to educate students with exceptionalities and all students. And whereas

058paraprofessionals serve as a critical link between each child and the learning environment, helping bridge students to new experiences and supporting their intellectual, emotional, and social growth. And whereas paraprofessionals demonstrate a strong commitment to their profession by continually developing their skills through professional learning and by building meaningful relationships with administrators, teachers, and their peers. And whereas the students they serve are often among the most vulner vulnerable. I knew I couldn't say that. And at risk and pair of professionals provide daily support, encouragement, and advocacy to ensure each child's needs are met. Now therefore, it be resolved that the members of the St. Timothy Parish School Board hereby recognize and honor the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of parap paraprofessionals throughout the school system and proclaim April 1st, 2026 as paraprofessional appreciation day. Be it further resolved that

059a copy of this resolution will be sent to Kimberly Gardner, assistant superintendent of students with exceptionalities and federal programs, and to all schools within the school system as a sign of our appreciation to all prayer professionals. And I so move. >> All right. And that definitely passes. Next we have Secretary Appreciation Day resolution read by Miss Baker. Uh before that's read, do I have a motion? Mr. Green, do I have a second? Miss Baker. Uh any comments by the public? Questions by the board. All right. Go ahead, Miss Baker. >> Okay. Without secretaries, we would not exist. So whereas secretaries and administrative assistants across our school system are vital members of our organization, often serving as the first point of contact for students, families, staff, and visitors and helping to create a welcoming and supportive

060environment. And whereas these professionals provide essential organizational and administrative support that ensures the efficient daily operations of our schools, departments, and offices. And whereas secretaries demonstrate professionalism, compassion, and dedication in their work, often balancing multiple responsibilities while supporting the needs of students, staff, and families all at one time. And whereas these individuals play a key role in fostering positive relationships and clear communication between our schools offices and the communities they serve. And now therefore, be it resolved that the members of the St. Tamony Parish School Board hereby honor and express their deep appreciation for the dedication, professionalism, and service of secretaries and administrative assistants throughout the school system and proclaim April 22nd, 2026 as Secretary appreciation day. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be shared with all schools and sites within

061the school system as a sign of appreciation for all secretaries and administrative assistants. And I so move a second. >> All right. And that passes. Thank you, Miss Baker. Thank you, Miss Laura. Uh, next we have our 2025 Louisiana Public Interest Fellow Spotlight. uh Miss Beth Melton. Uh that is going to be presented by Dr. Langwald. >> Thank you, President Martin. Um it is my pleasure to introduce to y'all tonight uh our public interest fellow and math teacher extraordinaire, Miss Beth Milton. But before we turn it over to her, um channel 13 helped us capture some video footage of just the love for math that she has been doing with the students all across our community. I cannot wait for you to see it. So, if we could, we'll check out a video and hear

062from Miss Milton. Math with Melton is an event that is funded through my state fellowship. The fellowship is something that incorporates math [music] initiative that I sent into the state and I ended up being the one selected for that. It's a grant of $50,000 and my initiative [music] is seeking to build confidence with our students as well as our parents to make math more engaging [music] and more fun. I was really excited to be able to work with Beth. These events are so important to the community because when we bring content out of the classroom and into the community, I think that it builds a stronger foundation for kids. [music] Um, so they know that it's important to everyone around them. Math is [music] one of those subjects that is super challenging for children. And

063so my goal for all of my Math with Melton events are to create that fun environment and to bring math back to hands-on, just back to basics. Beth has done a really good job at reaching out to the community and pulling us all together because that just builds a collective efficacy for the whole entire parish [music] where we can do this and we can do it together. She's like woven this beautiful quilt, if you will, together of just a community of people, of teachers, of students. The events that I've been doing is helping gear towards involving our parents so that when they go home, they're able to share with their family, [music] do those math games, those simple math games that are all in that kit. Way to go. >> So, let's make math fun.

064>> [applause] >> Good evening and thank you. I had to email channel 13. I was like, "Are y'all not doing the video? Is it that terrible?" He's like, "Oh, no. It t it came out great." I'm like, "Okay, just making sure." And Mr. Jabia had wanted to have a special recognition. So, thank you so much. So, I'd just like to take a moment to sincerely thank everybody, um, the board, LDOE, all of my special guests that are here, Miss Burquette, um, Miss, um, Casey Cummings, and then I have Miss Crochet and Miss Montz, Miss Green, Cesaly from ABNE. I have some people from Mayfield that have come out and helped me at different events, and it's really been just a community involvement. Um, Miss Moore came out. So, thank you to my library event at

065um, Lome um, the Lome Library. And then my custodians, they have delivered so many boxes at BU Woods and they're constantly, you know, bringing things and I'm like, "Oh, go put it here and there." And so, thank you to them, my principal. Um, and then I can't forget my husband because last time I had something, he's like, "I think you need to include me. I'm an important part of this. [laughter] And so I was going over a speech and he's like, I think it's great, but you really need to make sure I'm in there because I'm an instrument. I'm like, okay, I'm going to add a little. So I just wanted to add a little something, you know, [laughter] Daniel's at home retired and um he's always helping me and telling me just you're doing

066such a great job and so he's super supportive. So I wanted to give him a special shout out. Um, so because of this opportunity, I've been able to extend learning beyond my classroom and into our community through my Math with Melton. We've been able to put those hands-on math kits directly into the hands of our students and our families. To date, I've distributed 299 kits across our community completely free through the funding. Um, each kit represents more than just materials. It represents that involvement with the parents to show them those simple, easy math games that are just so accessible and they're like, "Oh, wow. This is this isn't that difficult." I've even had a couple of um parents come to multiple events because they had specific questions for me. So, I was thankful for that.

067Um I do have just a handful of events that are left with my fellowship year. I have um uh we have our bingo night coming up in on the 23rd. So, I'm going to have some um kits available there. I have um the children's museum, the last one with that. That's coming up on the 28th. And then I am doing um Mayfield is having their Jazzfest. Thank you. Their Jazzfest event May 1st and so I'm going to be setting up there as well. So, I'm anticipating to hopefully pass out the remaining kits throughout those um handful of events and I have about 300 more, maybe a few more. I'm waiting for some more supplies coming in a last minute scramble to um order and spend all my money. [laughter] Um so, as you saw, I've

068hosted multiple workshops across the parish. I think to date, it's like 14 different events um since November. Um the libraries have been amazing. Every single librarian that I have gone and spoken to, they have been just phenomenal. I can't say enough about the work that the libraries do and I'm amazed because now I follow them and I'm like, "Wow, they do so much in the community and they've just been wonderful um with me." Um so I do have, if you did not receive the email, Mr. Jabia uh was told forward it to the board members and our supervisors. We have our end of the year math fair that is going to be May 8th on our campus at Bayou Woods and that's at 10:00 a.m. to noon and we have our math kids which I

069also do. I'm wearing their shirt and they were very sad to know that math club was cancelled because they are never absent for math club. Miss Mottz helps with that and so they're going to be helping lead that. Also, our leadership crew for our school is going to be leading that. It's going to be in the gym and the library and it's going to be an amazing event with lots of games showing that fluency hands-on. So, I hope that you guys are able to attend. I have had um one Bessie member that has already um RSVPd, so he'll receive his goodie bag. So, if you guys are going to going to attend, I bake cookies. So, you want to make sure that you're there. And those people in the audience know I'm a good baker.

070Miss Bquette is shaking her head. So, make sure that you RSVP, so I have enough. So, kind of to wrap that up, I do have um I am presenting at teacher leader summit. And then I have my big Bessie review that I have to work on over the summer. And then my final thing to end my fellowship year is to do my final Bessie review which is August 19th. And they'll have a big write up that I've done on their state website that will be presented that day. And so yeah, I I have enjoyed every moment of this, but I will be glad to pass the torch to that next person. And I do want to give a special shout out to Miss Gion because she was the one I don't know if you guys

071remember that I walked into the office like four years ago and she's like Melton who's been um TOI I'm like what is a TOI and she told me I'm like don't pick me. So because of her that she believed in me and going through all of these steps and throwing my name in last minute things you know here I am. So thank you. I've enjoyed every moment of it. So, [applause] >> are there any questions for Miss Milton? >> Okay. >> Well, this is not the first time that we've seen you at the podium. [laughter] Um, so congratulations. Thank you for doing all the hard work and the things that you you know >> you got this this accolade and and it came with all of the this extra stuff that you >> My husband's

072like is it's like you have a second job. I'm like I know. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> So yeah. So thank you. >> Miss Moore. >> I just want to tell you your enthusiasm is contagious. I wish we could give a little scoop to everybody because I did. I went to her presentation and my background is math and I was blown away. She had the kids so engaged and they were from everywhere, different age groups. So, it was a very, very nice evening and that was just one of many that you did. So, I was fortunate to be able to be there. So, keep up the good work. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, >> Mr. Harold. >> Thank you, President Martin. I I really I look forward to attending the next one. I

073keep seem to miss them, but everybody keeps talking about how great they are. And I'll be honest, if I had math with Melton, I probably would have passed math with McCulla. [laughter] >> All right. >> Yes, [clears throat] Miss Rutherford. Um the thing at the Children's Museum on the 28th, that's in the evening or >> it's 4:15 to 5:30. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. All right. Thank you, Miss Mel. >> All right. Thank you. [applause] >> All right. We are going to now take a fivem minute break. So, all of our guests can leave unless you want to stay for the rest of the of our meeting tonight. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Oh, [music] heat.

074>> [music] [music] >> Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> All All right, we will continue with our meeting. >> Wait, you got to let it shut up. >> Mford, she's in the backand. >> All right. Next, we have our consent agenda. Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? Miss Baker, >> I'd like to remove D, F, and G, please. >> DFNG. Um, anyone else? >> That will take me one second. >> All right, let's give Miss Kley a minute or so. Just let me know when you're ready. >> All right, I'll go ahead and read the rest of them. Um, A, approval of minutes for the regular meeting held March 12th, 2026. B, recommends acceptance of

075changes to the district handbook for students and parents for the 2026 2027 school year. C recommends acceptance of resolution in accordance act 676 HB71 codified as Louisiana Revised Statute 172124 ten commandments. E recommends acceptance of new schoolboard policy regarding technology solutions directly supporting board operations. And that is it. >> So she wanted >> D F and G. All right. But as far as the rest of those that were read, do I have a motion? Mr. Green, do I have a second? Miss Baker, any comments by the public? Yes, ma'am. >> Good evening. Um, I'm Jamie Sigura and I have been uh a resident of St. Tamony Parish 35 years. Um the Ten Commandments and posting the Ten Commandments in the schools is wrong and very likely unconstitutional. The effort here tonight is an attempt to

076establish religion as the guiding force of our education system. The posting of the Christian Ten Commandments in our public schools. Let me repeat that. our public schools is nothing more than political gamesmanship. Who can argue against the Ten Commandments, right? It's the Ten Commandments. Here's a little history for you. I don't know if there's any history teachers in the room. Um, our founding fathers went through great lengths to ensure religion plays no part in government or our public institutions. When the citizens of the colonies decided to fight the war for independence against England, it was to free people from burdensome taxes levied against colonist without representation in the British Parliament. Our founding fathers wrote the US Constitution in response. There are 4,543 words in the US Constitution. None are Jesus, Bible, God or Christianity. And

077the first amendment further solidifies the separation of church and state. Let me say something about the separation of church and state. James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, said this. The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> It's wrong and it should not be in our public schools, in this parish, or anywhere else. Who would like to speak on the consent agenda? >> All right. Comments by the board. Miss Hansen. Thank you, Miss Martin. Um, I was not able to attend the meeting last week. I did watch it um and uh was not able to participate in the comments. Therefore, I will abstain from voting tonight. In

078reference to the Ten Commandments, um I do have my concerns, not with the Ten Commandments. Please don't pay me as is something that I'm not, but my concern is primarily that the Appeals Court of Louisiana did, you know, uh rule that they could go ahead and be put up. However, they als the the court also emphasized that it was too early determines the law's constitutionality, noting that the exact manner of display whether teachers would reference the ten commandments in class and whether other historical documents like the Mayflower cl Mayflower compact or the declaration of independence would accompany the posters were not yet clear. So, you know, we we still but it is the law. So therefore, uh, the Louisiana legislators passed this. It is the law. I took an oath to, um, uphold the law

079and, um, the ruling by the courts is not, we don't have a final ruling as far as its constitutionality. However, because I wasn't able to attend the discussions last week and um, I did hear what many of you said, you said some very valid points, um, I will be abstaining. Miss Gallagher. >> Um, sorry I sound terrible. Um, first and foremost, I will not, like Miss Hansen said, I am I am Catholic. Um, no no qualms about the Ten Commandments, but I do agree that it's not for everyone. Um, and while it's been noted on multiple occasions before, we put our hand on the Bible and agreed to do that. Last week I abstained from this vote as well because I don't know everybody has a different religion and not every religion follows the Ten

080Commandments. Um I do know the word God is in the pledge of allegiance but that is to the flag of the entire nation. No matter if you like the nation or not you live here. You don't have to like Catholics. You don't have to like anybody else who follows the Ten Commandments. That is my opinion as a person. Um I do not think that putting these things up then I don't know where the difference is why you couldn't put up and I don't know anything about many other religions but whatever Buddhists go by why can't we isn't that up there what about the people who are Jewish what do they have up there I have a problem with it it's putting it on there I know people on the border are going to disagree with

081me and that is totally fine um but I will be abstaining from the vote even though my decision I put my hand on a Bible to swear to follow the law um this is one of those ones that I'm just going to not not vote So, thank you. [snorts] >> All right, everyone, please vote. Are we good? >> 11. >> All right. And the consent agenda passes with 11 yays and two abstensions. And next we will run through those items that were removed. First we have recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy BCBI public participation in schoolboard meetings. Uh do I have a motion? Miss Baker. Do I have a second? Miss Gallagher. Any comments from the public? Comments from board members? Miss Baker. >> Thank you. Um I just I just need a point

082of clarity here. So when it says on behalf of political campaign so I my interpretation is that we don't want to use the school board meetings as a platform to some to sell someone's political campaign personally to be elected for a public office. My concern is it says and maybe this is um a legal question but political campaign. So for example, my concern is Mr. Green, Miss McCullum, myself, we all went when we were trying to educate people about passing the tax that would benefit all of our school buildings and taking care of our buildings. We personally as board members went to different public entities to explain this is where your tax dollars are going to go. I want to make sure that if the parish wants to present a tax to us and they're

083they're educating about about what that tax may be, that is in fact a political campaign. So I wouldn't want anyone to not be afforded that opportunity to explain to us how it may affect us or how it may affect the public in general as this is a public meeting and um so I want to be clear that that that we're not use that we're not preventing anyone like I know at one time like the coroner has come the DA has come to explain what what they're putting out there and why they're putting it out there. Now, whether you agree or disagree, it doesn't matter, but it's in fact public information and therefore I I question I question that. So, I would um so for that reason, I am not in favor of this. Does if

084anybody wants to shed some light like I would not appreciate not being able to go to my town council or or we went to the um where else did we go, Mr. ing um to several of these things to try and let people know like constitutional amendment number three is coming up. And so if I were invited to a public meeting to explain that, I I would not appreciate that board saying I can't go in an effort if that benefits our teachers or do am I making sense to this board? No. >> Do you can someone >> Mr. Herrell Thank you, President Martin. Gia, just to address your concerns, I know in 21 and 22, we had public comments at the beginning of the meeting >> and this what we typically had done at that

085point was if we had an elected official, somebody running, they would kind of jump to that front of the public comments, >> but it was everything was already at the beginning of the meeting, >> right? when we move public comments to the end of the meeting. I think that's where the confusion came in because it used to be when they showed up, they were kind of, you know, we have this elected official that would like to speak, public comments were already at the beginning, so they just kind of were given the first go. >> So now when with public comments at the end of the meeting, we're kind of forcing them to hang out until the end of the meeting. Um, and I think that's where that change was where we're still wanting to recognize

086them at the beginning, but technically they got moved to the end with the public comments. >> I just want to be the same. I mean, I I will hang out. However, I need to hang out at someone else's meeting if it benefits our school system and we're in trying to get something passed as a school board. So I would I would want to extend that same courtesy to another public board and therefore I am not in favor of this. So because they're limited to their three minutes and if it's a public vote on a public whatever for that reason I am not in favor of this as it reads because because it is a political campaign and it's not a political campaign to vote for someone or not someone as much as my problem with

087it would be again what are we voting on or why from another entity and so therefore I'm not in favor of this >> Mr. Javia. So, I I believe the the the point of this uh proposal was to to to not have this turn into a a political forum, but but at the same time, I think if there's something that impacts this board, not necessarily politically, but something that the parish is rolling out or something that some jurisdiction is rolling out, board members could request that something be added to the agenda. then it would become an agenda item to hear from whoever needed to present on whatever might be. I'm not saying a campaign necessarily, but a general topic that impacted the school system. You could always make it a uh >> a an agenda

088item. >> Miss Hansen. >> Well, I'm I'm glad Mr. Jabby was able to clarify that because if I remember correctly when we did have people come up to sign and this is back when I was a supervisor and I would attend meetings they would they would speak during public comments. Um I understand Mr. Harold as to why they've moved it around because they'd have to sit through the whole meeting. But I think as Mr. Jabia said if we have someone in that is presenting to us information that will be beneficial to our constituents and our parish that if two of us based on policy right if two of us feel like miss we we feel like we want this person to be able to speak then we can make it agenda item that way we're

089not you know it doesn't appear as though we are being biased and allowing some during the opening comments or anything like that. That's that's my thoughts, >> Miss Gallagher. >> So, I understand um both sides of, you know, what people want to do. So, we'll use the DA because he's the last one I remember that came in and was speaking on his tax or whatever. Um my problem with that is that we afford all of these people the right to stand in front of everybody before any of this whole meeting gets started. Um they're not on an agenda item. um they can gladly speak at public comment all day long, but we feel that they should be forfeited the right to go before everybody else like they're better than everybody else and their time is

090more valuable in any ways. This is my opinion. Doesn't have to be everybody's. Um so for teachers to have to wait longer for their stuff when they're actually part of this school system and other people come in prior to them is where my problem is. So I understand that two people can bring something to an agenda item to bring something on the board. [snorts] Um, and I'm okay with that happening if that's the case. If people feel strongly about I think you said um, whatever you just said's coming up. >> Constitution. >> Thank you. I thought it was constitution. Wasn't sure. Um, and somebody feels that they need somebody should come speak on that, I'm okay with it. But if not, then they stay at the meeting just like everybody else sitting in this audience

091until public comment. It's my opinion. So if somebody wants to change it to what's in here to say it like that or if it's staying like this, I'm cool. But that's that's my opinion. [snorts] Okay. Anyone else? >> All right. >> Mersus. >> No, I got to say something. Look, I'm feeling that the whole per and I mean the whole purpose of this thing is is basically if you have somebody that's running for office and is basically wants to come up here and say vote for me that we want them to be like everybody else and wait for public comment that God bless you that they don't come to the um the head of the table. That's all it is. All right, everyone, please vote. >> Oh, please refresh your screens. >> Everyone, >> Miss

092Baker made a motion. Who made a second? >> [snorts] [snorts] >> Mr. Bro, did you vote? >> I was fine. >> [laughter] >> All right, I got it now. >> All right. >> Sorry, I had to move stuff so it moved everything. two days. Sorry. >> And that carries with 11 ys and two nays. Second. Next. I'm sorry, not second, but next is the recommends acceptance of a resolution to change the election cycle for members of the St. Timony Parish School Board. Do I have a motion? Miss Rutherford. Second by Mr. Herrell. All right. Any comments from the public? Comments by board members? Miss Baker. That's me again. Okay. So, um I I I get it and I agree with it and that's not the issue. I just wanted to just throw this out there

093if and this may not be the time to throw it out there. So y'all can just put me in my place. But on the um election cycle, if we would want to consider staggering um like I know for the next one it would be five years but if we staggered so that in the event that there is a whole new board that it's not um that you have some senior members of the board who it's a lot to learn and and with as many new members as this board started. it out as it takes a minute to um to get up to speed with what can and cannot be done and everybody you know being a freshman is not a good idea in my opinion. So, moving forward, if if we would ever consider a

094staggered election, and I don't know how you would do it if you did, every odd district has an election this year and every even um I see you shaking your head. So, is that you can't do that? I'm just throwing it out there just because the truth is I was hoping you wouldn't ask me whether we could do it because I I just don't know the answer to that question. >> All right. So that for that I mean so I don't know how I vote if we don't even know if we can do that. It's not that I'm not in favor of not doing it this the fiveyear term for next time, but if we could somehow >> I just wanted to add to it. That's all >> next year. >> You're going to have

095another new one, but you can't change it for next year. But just staggering it. >> As we discussed this last week, um this was the recommendation of the LSBA so that we would be on the same cycle with the governor's race. If we stagger it, then some of us will be with the governor's race, some won't. So, I think we just go with the recommendation of the schoolboard association and um it'll only affect one term of people and there were 10 out of 15 of us that were new and you know, we >> managed. Yeah, that might be the best word. Okay, [laughter] >> Miss Gallagher, >> I was just going to say I don't remember it being said exactly last week, last month, last week, whatever it was, >> but I feel like it's

096the for people most people are going to turn out for the governor's race. And if you're not on that cycle, then the turnout's going to be low. >> So, if you do a a staggered cycle, the odd number people are going to have a lot of people voting, the even number people maybe not so much because they're only going to be on there with I don't even know what to say to compare it. But, um, so I think that was part of it. I'm assuming that's LSBA's recommendation is that the voter turnout is part of it. So if you only get most people want to vote for the governor, not all. So you get more of a voter turnout with that situation. >> I'm not disagreeing with that at all. I'm just saying if we

097I thought it would be a good idea. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Uh Mr. Herold. [cough] >> Thank you, ma'am. Um I believe this actually came from the governor and the legislature were were pushing to give this as an option. So it's not it LSBA's made this recommendation like hey this is a great idea but it wasn't our doing. This was more the state lawmakers that had given this option for this one term [snorts] to to add an extra year on to get everybody on the same page. >> Well that's all right. Everyone please vote. >> [snorts] >> M speaker, are you thinking? >> Well, I mean, it's not that I disagree with it. I just wanted to So, >> no, I don't like I'm just going to go with it. I just needed more

098clarity. >> Passes unanimously. that time >> and that passes unanimously. Next recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JCD AAF bullying. Uh, do I have a motion? Miss Fontlery, do I have a second? Miss Moore, any public comments. [clears throat] Please state your name when you reach the podium. Hello, my name is Nicole Macccyver. Um, I appreciate you allowing some time this evening to raise some questions regarding the proposed bullying policy changes. I emailed the majority of you in advance, and I sincerely appreciate the responses I received. As both an active and proud volunteer within our school system and a concerned parent, I've had experiences that led me lead me to seek clarification on the intent of these revisions. Allow me to be clear. I take bullying very seriously and fully support efforts to strengthen

099protections for any victims. That being said, I also believe that students that are falsely accused of of bullying need protection. If a school thoroughly and in-depthly investigates allegations and the school confirms that those allegations do not meet bullying criteria, then those those findings should be considered. particularly if those allegations come from someone on the board. While the majority of these of of the board members here I know would recuse yourself if you are involved in some way that is not the case that I have experienced. Therefore, [clears throat] I respectfully ask for confirmation on how situations involving a school board member or their child would be handled under the revised policy. Would the board member specifically be required to recuse themsel? I understand it's the standard, but would they be required? Also, would these revisions

100allow previous investigations to follow the new appeal process? I appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Please state your name when you reach your podium. >> Good evening. My name is Justice Langage and I am a parent of two children at Lion Elementary. I'm not here to be confrontational. I'm here because my child was attacked at school and nothing meaningful happened. My son is in second grade. He is seven years old and he was assaulted by multiple students wearing ski mask. He was hit, humiliated, and left feeling unsafe on campus. And the response, Documentation is not discipline and it is not protection. And quite frankly, it is failing our children. Now, I'm learning more about what's happening inside of the school that parents are not being told. And

101that alone is a serious problem. I'm also being told that children aren't allowed to lose recess and instead they walk laps as punishment. That is not accountability. That is not a real consequence. And clearly it is not working. Our children are in that building for seven hours. seven hours where they should be safe, guided, and taught right from wrong. Right now, that is not happening. And let me be very clear, this is not just a school problem, and it is not just a parenting problem. It is both. Parents are responsible for raising their children with discipline, respect, and boundaries. And the school is responsible for enforcing structure, safety, and consequences once those children walk through those doors. When either side fails, children get hurt. When both side fail, situations like what happened to my son

102happened and there's no passing off responsibility here. >> Thank you for your comments. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Anyone else? >> [applause] >> All right. Uh, comments, questions from the board. >> Mr. Green, you're up. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, I don't think anybody on this board would question the severity of bullying or the the need to investigate it thoroughly. My questions in relation to this policy are specifically around what the board can do if we're defined as this local governing authority and in looking at whether or not an investigation was timely or effective. That's what the language says. Timely I, you know, assume that there's some period where you need to once the bullying is reported, it has to be investigated. As long as that's done, you check the box. If it's effective,

103I assume there's steps in that procedure over who you have to investigate, how that investigation is supposed to be conducted. If that's effective, it's effective. Back when we reviewed this law, this board determined that the best person to define as the local governing authority was the superintendent or his design, just like it would be in an expulsion appeal. If we wanted to include something that said after it went through the board, the superintendent and his designate, that then just like maybe an expulsion appeal, this board would hear again for the third time whether or not the bullying investigation was timely and effective. Maybe I'm okay with that. Again, I I despise hearing expulsion appeals. I dis will despise even more hearing bullying appeals because it's not a question of whether there was bullying that's been

104investigated. It's whether or not for us the investigation was timely and effective. And Mr. Harrison, you can correct me if I'm wrong in my interpretation of what I'm reading. But I do not want to remove as a second step after the school administration the superintendent and his designate or a designate from that investigation prior to it coming to the board. And that's just what you know that's why I don't like this particular policy because one what can we do as a board other than to say if it was timely or effective and you know again I think the superintendent and a designate is sufficient to look at a second time whether or not something was done at the school level appropriately. Thank you. So, this is just to clarify what went on last week. [clears

105throat] Everyone who spoke made some very good points. Okay, I'm going to summarize it very quickly for you. The statutory language in 17416.14 is vague and ambiguous. They are have a tortured section once it is not investigated. So after researching this extensively and I had to shay come and make some strong bullet points. These are your going to be your takeaways. Number one, the language in 17416.14 references the governing authority of the school district. Using that specific terminology, it references the board itself. This language is tracked in Bessie regulations as well. It has not always been linear. If you go back before the enactment of act one of 2012, they used the term school board um governing authority and superintendent in an imprecise manner which added to the confusion when they started writing legislation. So

106I'm going to tell you what this statute really is about. When there is an allegation of bullying, the next business day, the school officials, defined most cleanly as the principal and those in the school must investigate. That is why it's the next business day. The legislature saying you cannot ignore it. If someone ignores it beyond a business day, someone in the school board, governing authority or local educational agency has to start pushing those to investigate. Then it gets very unclear because what happens is there's now tension between state statute 17416.14 and the Bessie regulations themselves which then reference the local educational agency which is a term of art from US department of education regulations. Now where are we in the state of the law in respect to this uh board president Amanda? She asked me

107if her measurement is legal. It is. She is quoting state statutes. I supported her in that. When you debated it, multiple people said, "Your amendment is confusing." It is because state law is confusing. If you read Bessie regulations, they're all so confusing. They'll tell you what bullying is. They're telling you you as a school district have to investigate the next business day. Period. End of discussion. Then you need to take all sides into account. You have to consider those who are alleging bullying. You have to consider the position of the accused. You have to take in witnesses. And you have to really investigate thoroughly. Then 10 days, you need to do a report. Now, what happens after that? Legally, we're not sure because the person who makes the most sense to follow up on a

108school district's uh school officials investigation is, in my opinion, the superintendent. That's why in 2022 when the old board want was amending the forethought I happened to be the lawyer it was discussed so that it was a way to add clarity to law and our policy in terms of it giving a who now does that mean I have to leave the policy the way it is no because you can quote the law but when you go to implement it then I'm the one that pointed out said it how do you follow open meetings Law, title 42, open meetings law does not have an exception for a bullying appeal. Why did the legislature use the word appeal? It's sloppy. I do not know. You cannot impanel yourself with 24-hour notice doing an agenda under 429 and

109have a public meeting because Bessie regulations and everything in state law says bullying is strictly confidential. Well, we'll go into executive session. Read the exception. It says a parent or a child can have a discipline hearing an executive session, but they can opt out of it. What happens with bullying? I do not know. Who decides whether it's an executive session? I do not know. who on the board can drop down and investigate if a superintendent or a principal don't timely investigate within a day after it's being reported. I do not know and neither does anybody else. And there are no districts doing bullying investigations period and they have not done it for 50 years now. Is Amanda or the board's president suggested changes fine legally? Absolutely. I fully support her. If you leave the old

110policy the way it is, I fully support you. Everyone who commented, everyone, the superintendent's comment was, "I'm your investigator." He is correct. Miss Martin is correct. There was only a slight error on the term governing authority. It means the school board itself. But when you interpret it, when you get to LEA, when you get to school board, they're asking you locally to figure it out. But the law did not open an appeal. It didn't. And Matt Green said it best. You have to prove untimely ineffective. So know this. You have to study the terms untimely and ineffective to trigger some type of appeal. We don't understand what what happens if the investigation is done lickety split the day after and the local school in any district in the state does a terrible job. Do you

111get an automatic appeal to the board? No. Because the state law says untimely and ineffective. What if someone at a school anywhere in the state of Louisiana does an investigation extremely well but does it late? Can you review it? Not according to state statute. It doesn't say or. We have no answers. There is no answer to the debate that you had. You did it extremely well. I cannot solve it legally. I am not adverse to anyone's position. But you need to have an understanding and I can tell by the silence in the room that it's a tough call. The law itself is the problem. I promise you. There are no reported decisions. There are no attorney general opinions. The Bessie regulations couldn't clarify it. They took the term governing authority. They inserted LEA. That means

112the both of you, the superintendent and the board. That is the end of all questions. But I can't tell you should you vote forward against it. Honestly, it really doesn't matter because when you go to have an appeal, no one knows how to do it. And you can't comply with open meetings law in my opinion unless you change them to allow an executive session to have confidentiality and then you have to hear from both sides or you will not properly investigate it. You don't have a standard of review. Denovo is a doover. It's not in the law. Abuse of discretion is what it should be. It's not in the law. Meaning, you've got to defer to the local school. They're on the ground. They know the kids. They know what's going on. They know when

113the kids are sneaky and they do bullying, but it's hard to prove. They also know when it's false bullying. So that I don't want to replace my knowledge for what they know locally. And that's what a court will do. I guarantee you if it ever goes out of a school system into the court of law, it will be an abuse of discretion. Meaning the judge is going to defer to the LEA unless they find arbitrary and capricious conduct which is so bad it can't be considered reasonable and then they'll touch it. That is the standard and I'm telling you I've spent some time on it. Thank you very much for your attention. >> Thank you Mr. Harrison. Miss Miss Hansen were useful. >> Yeah, Miss Hansen. >> Well, I don't I'm not going to use

114the legal ease because I don't know the legalies obviously as well as you do, but um in what you said, two a couple of things stuck with me. One was that the superintendent is right. He's investigator. The board president is right. The governing board may also. My question is, and it's a rhetorical question, who can most effectively handle the bullying allegation? And in my opinion, the the local education agency can most effectively handle it. And if the school isn't handling it well, then the LEA handles it. And according to the law, if the LEA if the parent is still not in favor of I mean doesn't like the the outcome of the appeal, it goes to the US the Louisiana Department of Education. If if I'm not mistaken, that's what it says in here. >>

115They don't do the >> not the investigation part. >> The appeal to to Bessie is an administrative process where they note >> either a failure. They don't investigate >> but okay. So, >> and the LEA means both the board and the superintendent collectively. >> But what what let me then rephrase that. >> It's if it's you know Matt said it best like you said it that they can either it's either proven to be not timely or not effective. Effective meaning not you know you didn't bring in the right witnesses enough witnesses, you didn't do this, you failed this, whatever. We hired a superintendent. The superintendent and his design, that is their role. That is what their job descriptions say. Okay. As far as I'm concerned, if it appeals to the board, and I I I

116just feel like that would be mis micromanaging on our part. Um it's different than a disciplinary hearing. A disciplinary hearing for an appeals and expulsion don't happen frequently. Bullying allegations that parents are not happy with happens often. As a former principal, I would have my supervisor call me and said, "This parent called and you didn't investigate." And I would have a stack of information to show that I not only investigated it, but brought in everybody and their mother and brother. So my concern is that we will, like you said, would have to give 24-hour notice. So we will be sleeping here because we're going to have so many they're not going to if they didn't like what the school said, guess what? They're not going to like what the principal I mean the superintendent said

117either. They're not going to like it. So, which brings me to my second point, which you mentioned something about going to a court of law. Um, my concern is that look, if my child or grandchild were involved in a bullying incident, would I recuse myself? I would absolutely recuse myself. Okay? And I feel that many would or all of us would. However, we have relationships with people on this board who would then be voting and my concern is that it presents it it it will present biases. Not just not just amongst this board. You can't help it. Everyone on this board knows a lot of people in this community. So, it may not involve my direct child or grandchild, but a friend's child, this friend's grandchild, this friend's friend. And then we put ourselves we're

118we're I feel like we're opening up a a huge can of worms that is going to get us in deeper trouble because we're acting as the judge and jury in a situation that we can't keep confidential that has you know potential biases that we it's gonna it's gonna happen and I don't want to put us in a situation where we're then having sit in front of a judge explaining why we voted a certain way or explaining why we're speaking about this child. >> Miss, can you wrap it up? >> Miss Martin, you've done that to me before and I'm just going to tell you this. >> As long as I am speaking to the agenda item, I have the floor. >> That's not true. No, >> it is true. Point of order. >> No. >>

119As the chair of this meeting, I have to conduct an efficient meeting. And >> Miss Martin, we're going to have to agree to disagree because I'm just going to tell you this. Let me finish. I looked up the policy that we have in our policy handbook. And other than 3 minutes comment for public comments, as long as the individual board member is speaking to the agenda item, they have the floor. Now, am I going to filibuster? No. But I do not like to be cut off when I am speaking to the agenda item. >> I'm asking full of time. That's all. >> Continue. I would uh respectfully act that you ask that you don't interrupt me. Let me just say that I am concerned about the fact that we would be open ourselves up to

120litigation because we know people within the community and there will be allegations that the school or the district didn't handle it well and then we have to sit in judgment of it and I don't believe that that's our role. So therefore I will not be voting for this. I was not here last week to hear the discussion. I would have abstained from it if it had not been brought back up. But since it is being brought up and I'm able to hear and participate in the discussion, therefore that I can tell you that that's why I'm going to be voting against this change in the policy. All right, Miss Gallagher. >> Yes, Miss Floroy. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Fontlery. >> I didn't mean to skip. >> Okay. Um [clears throat] Mr. um Harrison has

121kind of said that this the law is vague and we really don't know the answers. And I just think bullying is too important of a of an issue for us to not to just cop out and say, "Well, we don't know exactly how it's supposed to work, so we're just going to leave it easy." I I I don't I mean I know I'm paraphrasing, but that that's how it kind of it seems like to me. We don't we want to shy away from it because we don't have any clear law on it. Now, I thought that we've said in the past that as long as our policy doesn't go against the law, we can add to law. Like our policy can add to law. So if we want to cut if we want to follow

122the law but then add procedures it why why is that an issue >> respectfully when people use the word law let's stay focused statutory law in this area is 17416.4 Four bessie regulations is title 28 subp part 1151303. These laws are quite clear that the LEA can basically pick between the superintendent and the board. But if you pick the board, then how are we going to comply with open meetings law? >> Okay. And I can see like I'm not debating the issue. I'm framing it. So, it's like, I will support Miss Martin and her desire to change our current policy to quote the law. How could I not? She's quoting the law. But I'm trying to tell you the problems with the statutory law. Now, when the old policy was very clear and very definitive

123and it worked for like five years. So, we're changing it into a zone where there isn't clarity. I'm not saying you can't do it. I'm saying there are pitfalls. That's the difference. I'm not running from the law. I'm highlighting the issues in the law. And this this has worked for a long time. Is it perfect? No. Now look, when you have a child who is bullied, any child, this is so important to get an investigation done right that I would fully support you, all of you, to do a good job with it. But I also know and have had the experience that it's not always easy to make everyone happy and feelings get involved. When bullying crosses over, read the statutes. It can turn into criminal, can be an assault, and it can be a

124battery. So this is not an area where you don't have a remedy and it doesn't have to go to the board because if it's severe enough, it could be a battery, an assault, a civil one, a criminal one, and you go to the court system or to the DA's office. But when a board takes on a task like this, you all need to know what you're getting into and you need to know that you cannot just arbit arbitrarily consider some not consider something like 1781 which clearly defines the superintendent as the one with discipline power over employees. We even have a collective bargaining agreement. So you can have you you can make recommendations and and it just I've said enough but it's not linear and it's not about anyone's opinion. It's the problem is in

125the law itself. >> So if we reverted back to the old or just stayed with the old policy though there was something said last week and I agree a lot with it and I agree I think Mr. Green even touched on it. If if this process stops with the superintendent- because the next step is really just administrative. Okay. If it if it goes to the state, that's not really >> That's correct. Okay. >> Or the civil system. >> So if we stayed with the old the old policy, could we then add another layer to it for the sake of our constituency? Well, checks and balances are always good. Okay, the print the Mr. Jabi is overseeing the local school. They make a decision. He's responsible for their decision. Basically, he's going to answer for it.

126Okay. So, he can it makes sense to me that he oversees that and I'm fine with the old but we oversee Mr. Jabia. So our constituents have have a right to have some sort of recourse if they don't you know and their recourse is through us. That's why we have expulsion appeals that come to us and and that's there you know so >> see expulsion appeals were written specifically into the exceptions to the open meetings law and that's why I've made that point like three times. We don't have the same clarity in the law. You cannot analogize it to a expulsion appeal. Plus, you're dealing with something that has no criminal overtones. And an expulsion appeal involves one student, not multiple. >> So, we can't write it into policy. >> I said to the board

127president, I would work with her to try to do the best we could. I have publicly outlined my concerns with it. Plus, I don't really know how to say this, but we have like 36,000 kids. Bullying is fairly often address alleged. It's not the same for expulsions and suspensions. There's far fewer of them. >> Now, if you get suspended or expelled because of bullying, well, you've already got an appeal anyways. So, you you're really getting into the weeds in my opinion as a governing body. And what we do not ever do, not not in any public entity I've ever represented, that's cities, towns, parishes, etc. We don't like to internally divide. So when you do a bullying investigation and you've got the principal who's boots on the ground, the mental health professional, the counselors, the

128students, they know everybody, the parents, we're going to step in as a 15 member public body and investigate again. It's dangerous. No, I would like No, I I'm not talking about investigating. I would like to oversee the superintendent's decision. >> Well, you've already got that power. >> When how does that review him annually? >> So, if he ever made a mistake, I would never expect him to because he delegates a lot of this to very intelligent people. You can then review him for this alleged deficiency, this theoretical failure to investigate bullying. I understand his annual review, but >> I would say this, and I'm going to end on this point. This is where Mr. Green brought this up. >> Read the statute a hundred times. You've got to before you get any oversight, you have

129to prove untimeliness and ineffectiveness. That's to be compliant with the law. >> Okay. >> I don't know who determines that. >> I say we table it. Can I move Can I just make a motion that we table this? I mean, well, now I know that other people want to speak. >> Okay, I'll come back to that. >> Miss Fler, are you finished? >> All right, Miss Gallagher, >> just a couple things. So, right now it states that they can if they don't like what the principal or principal design needs to have to say, they go straight to the superintendent. But the law says the governing body. So, we are wait. So in our policy we are pretty much stating that the governing body is the superintendent >> without saying it. >> That's correct. But the

130statutory law says governing body. The Bessie regulation says LEA [snorts] >> and >> all of it. >> No, I know LEA does the first one, but if they want to appeal it, they appeal it to the same people who they didn't agree with. >> No. When you read the Bessie regulations, [snorts] they took the state law, right? 17 colon yep >> 416.14 they took when they amended this a long time ago they took out schoolboard it's confusing then they [snorts] inserted governing authority then they took them and made regulations and we have to follow bear bessie regulations [snorts] okay >> then they said LEA LEA opens up the door to whoever you collectively decide >> okay >> so the old policy with the superintendent was fine legally and the amendments are fine fine legally because

131you're quoting state statutory law, >> right? But you're opening the door to something that triggers an enormous body of other state statutes, 1781, etc. discipline. The investigation's not defined. Open meetings law. That's my job is to point this out, >> right? [snorts] >> Not to tell you what to do. It's I want to be very clear about that. >> And I get it. I appreciate it. I will argue like Miss Fler Roy said when you say we can do this um in a review if we don't find Frank's doing Mr. Jab is doing a good job. I think the concern is that we these 15 people up here have absolutely no idea how many of those people have put a bullying thing in and nothing's happened with it. Like we don't have that knowledge to

132know how many we don't know if a hundred have been turned in and only one has been. >> But if you're going to criticize your constituents call you guys non-stop. So, like you're going to have individual [snorts] cases, not in theory, right? You're going to get an email, you're going to get a phone call, so and so is bullied. They did nothing. Make note. You can always pick up a phone call, get the data. >> Right. And I guess, right, but >> so you're saying like we you want us not want us, but we'll call Steve, Dr. Lang, whoever, and be like, "Hey, how many bullet reports did y'all get this month? How many did y'all how many people appealed it or whatever?" Because obviously we would never and I think the word appeal is

133where a lot of the problem comes in cuz an appeal is for a disciplinary thing. I'm appealing that I want my kid to not be expelled. They want to go back to school. We are not appealing what the decision was of bullying. Parents would be appealing >> if it was timely or effective, not what the outcome was. >> Correct. And that's the problem. See the state I said that last week. The word appeal is not working. It's a terrible choice of word. >> Yes, >> I will agree with Miss Foy about if you want to table it later, but I will make the point if my child accused someone at her school of bullying, this is in reference to the speaker, I would probably more than likely be one of the witnesses because I would

134be able to speak on how the behav this bullying has affected the behavior of my child. Therefore, if I was one of the witnesses, I couldn't vote on it. But I mean that you can't be out there and be up here at the same time. It doesn't work like that. So I would believe that Miss Hansen was right too to say that anybody up here if it was your immediate family, you would not vote on it. Is she correct that there are some people who know lots of people out here? Yes. Have we all recused oursel for one reason or another? Absolutely. It's the integrity of this board that would do that. Is there a law or a policy that states we c we have to recuse oursel? No. But I I can't I I

135will speak for everybody that they would recuse themselves. So that's all I have, >> Mr. Peterson. >> All right. Thank you. Um [snorts] just want to say a couple a few things and first of all I want to take a a step back and look at a bigger picture. We're talking about some you know fine tooth combing here but uh I think we need a broader perspective as a board. That's where we should be coming from in the first place. and that uh let me just say that first of all investigations that take place at school levels they have familiarity they know the students they have teachers they've got eyes on the situation and we are totally devoid of all of that as a board member we don't have any business trying to gather information

136to try to make a decision over people that are at the site and so that's to me that's just uh part of this process and uh Paul I would ask you sir Um, are we in violation with our current policy with any of what is proposed here? >> No, we're not consider you have to consider the Bessie regulations that reference LEA. >> So, our current policy is effective. It is effective and timely without ambiguous. There's no ambiguity in that. >> I have no problem with either policy. >> Okay. But just what we have we'd be changing for the sake of change when we have a policy that is effective. And let me just go on with that. Thank you. Um, parents can and always have had the option of going beyond the school system to

137report the state, have they not? >> They have. So, our parents always had that and it isn't changing anything. They still had that. But we have it in our current policy. The only thing that our current policy does, it stipulates what the term superintendent. That's the go-to guy. And if you have any doubts about who the go-to guy is in St. Tamony Parish public education, let me clarify for you. It is the superintendent and is stated in the current policy. We don't need to adopt a policy that somehow clouds the issue for us. Parents still have the same rights they had before, but it leaves the investigation part of this at the school site to the superintendent. And if parents aren't satisfied with that, they go to the state. That's what we have right now.

138None of that changes with this policy that is proposed. So, I would like to propose that we stick with our current policy and we no longer go any further with this conversation. So, I guess I'm calling the question. >> Oh, no. >> You don't want to do that. Other people do that. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Miss Baker, >> thank you. And I was the one that asked for this to be removed for I I don't I don't feel like I I have any additional things to add to what Miss Hansen or Dr. Peterson had to say because I really do believe I know the seriousness of bullying and I don't I don't um want to make it light in any way, shape or form. However, for exactly all the same reasons that were said,

139it is it needs to stop with the stu superintendent and there is an there is um an action step for parents to take in the event that they are not satisfied. In addition to the civil I mean I don't even know if there's such a thing anymore as peace bonds but um is there such thing still peace bonds? I don't that that parents can take it a step further if they need to and I would encourage them to to protect their children should they need that. But I don't think that this is something that an elected official needs to be involved in and therefore I will be voting against this. Thank you, >> Miss Rutherford. >> Yes. Um, bullying is happening in our schools and parents are reporting it. And I want I'd like to

140speak to this the lion parent because that is my district. I'd like to know what steps have been taken to help this child and I'd like to know when a when a how do we know that the the principles are handling it well? I just would like to know that >> and question >> timely and effective. How can it both be timely? It's hard to be timely and effective at the same time and effectively at the same time. It's either it's going to be tough to be both or is a lot easier one or the other but both makes it difficult. >> Okay. So when it gets to the principal handles it what if the principal doesn't handle it? How many bullying appeals have taken place since January? Does anybody Can anybody tell me that

141within the schoolboard system within the system? >> Any appeals that are reported to us? >> Yes. >> Zero. So, no principal has reported and fully appealed to you. >> No family has reported appeal. >> No family has the investigation was not done to whatever the standard is. >> Have you reported it to the principal? >> We can't be doing this. I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. >> Point of order. >> Okay. So, we're saying that no parent has filed an appeal past the principal >> in St. Tam. Correct. >> As of January. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um, if the parent wants to file an appeal, who do they who did they appeal to? You >> to me. >> Okay. And no one has done that. Okay. Um, if they do and they're not happy, what happens

142then? Then they file with LDOE. >> They turn over to me. We do an investigation with my administrative team, [clears throat] right? >> And then they file it with LDOE and Bessie. >> Right. Okay. And then LDOE just as a check mark against that that it was done. >> Correct. >> Okay. So the parent still may not be happy at the end of that either. >> Correct. If that was my child being bullied, I don't think I would be happy. Um, but I don't know. I mean, I don't I'm not saying that I don't know how it's going to make it any better, the policy, but I don't I don't think what we have now, why can't it be something where where it's not 24 hours after it meets that criteria? Why can't it be

143something else? Why can't we write a policy for our that says we have another week No, that's just for this. It just said because the state just said it has to begin with. Correct. >> Begin, not finish. Begin, >> right? Begin. Okay. Begins. >> No. Without getting it more confusing, everything has to happen under Bessie regulations and state law at the school level. I know of no cases, none in five years where a teacher or a principal has failed to act in the first first the next business day. >> Well, >> okay. So, they start you turn in a billing form tomorrow, they jump right on it. So, it's either the next business day or that very day. They start the investigation. They all do it. >> How effective is their principles? >> Listen, then

144they have 10 days to do a report. Now the question you asked is not answerable because we do not have a definition of what ineffective means. We only have a definition of >> in the state law. >> So what what you're going to get into though is other areas of law 1781 for example and then the actual physical process of you or anyone on this board trying to figure that out as opposed to the head of the schools, the superintendent. See, when he sends his team in there, their first job is to review how many students were investigated, how many people talked about it, how well is the documentation looking. They take all sides in >> and once that's done, it's in my opinion legally effective. But I can't give you a conclusion because you're

145presuming there's bullying. Sometimes there's not. See, everyone has got to understand there are always two sides to a bullying allegation and you have got to stop presuming there's bullying because sometimes it's not statutoily defined bullying which is legal as well. There has to be a pattern. It's got to meet all kind of little criteria. So someone might get picked on but it might not be legal bullying. And this is what is not well understood unless you're on the superintendent's administrative team or unless you've had a lot of training. So if the board's going to do it, I'd recommend everybody get training on bullying. >> We do. >> I know. But I'm just telling you it's not something. >> Look, to quote Bob Hammonds, in 50 years, he has no clients who are dueling investigation and

146no one wants to. >> Are you finished, Mr. Rutherford? I'm finished, but I'm not happy. But I'm finished. >> Miss Hershey's, I'll be quick. All right. First, I think the whole law is, and I'll be nice instead of saying the other sword, I'll say silly because I think it's bogus. Um I I think the whole appeal is bogus. I mean, really, you got I mean, what are you appealing to? Oh, okay. Well, you know, it's not timely. Is it whose definition is ineffective? Really, the whole thing is you didn't do my kid right. You know, that should be what the appeal is. Not, oh, okay. Well, he didn't do it timely. Whoopy do. >> I mean, what what >> I want to be clear. I agree. That's what the law did. >> This flipping thing

147is useless. >> The law is a problem. Yes. >> I don't know who came up with this, but apparently their child was never bullied because why would you even appeal that? It's absolutely useless. A waste of time. They need to have better laws for bullying and appeals and all this other stuff. That is useless. I want an appeal of no, my child was bullied. I want a better verdict or better invested something. So anyway, personally, I don't even see the point of this law or this at all. They need to have something better because bullying is no joke at all. And if it were to come to us, we can't even see students records. We can't like if I try to do something, oh, you got to block this out. You got to block this

148out. You got to block this out. So, what can we even see? I mean, when if if it comes to us, Paul, what can we even see, Steve? What can we even see? >> You're correct. >> Thank you. So, honestly, so I I So, I don't even know what to do. I mean, I I want to do this. I want to help out, but I'm We We're tied. So what? Miss Martin, Miss President, I love you to death and I'm backing you. I always back you 100% when I believe in something and you know I believe in bullying. But what can we do here? >> You finished? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. My turn. So, this was an attempt to not necessarily cut our central office administration team out, which is why I've had

149conversations with Paul about working on what does the process look like or how can we create a policy that is a good policy that serves the parents and the kids in this community? because all of us have talked to people in parents and students in person, received emails or heard from someone else that bullying is alive and rampant in our district and it does not get addressed all the time. It doesn't. And I wish I could say it did. It doesn't. And just because an administration at a particular school might timely address it does not mean that they are going to effectively address it. And that is my concern. If I have someone in district 6 who voted for me to be their voice on this board, the law says that they have the right

150to come to me or any of you, right? If it's a constituent in your district and and and voice their concerns about this, that is what the law states. Now, the the wording is not great. Um, but for the past 3 years, we have been consistently modifying our policies to reflect state wording. And sometimes that wording is great. It's very clear. Sometimes it's not. This time it's not. But this is no different than what we've been doing for the past three years. Um, this was my attempt to first be consistent with legal wording. And and again, we're reading too much into some of this. Okay. The what Mr. Jabby just said, the investigation has to begin or it has to be addressed. Well, administratively, we with him can figure out what that looks like because

151we would have to because the law doesn't define that. Um, so I just don't think that if the law intended for the governing body, which is us, to be able to oversee this from a governance standpoint for our constituents, that we should remove that. I do believe that if I work with Paul and anybody else who wants to get into a group and we can work on creating a policy that does make sense and does allow our constituents to come to us as board members as the governing authority of this district and say, "Hey, look, you know, this is what's going on in your district. This this is this is what's actually happening." Because I know there are plenty of times that, you know, Mr. Jabia and his staff, they're told something from some of

152their administrators and it's not true. And then they they do their due diligence. They ask their clarifying questions. They go and they investigate things and they get to the bottom of things and they fix it. So if our if our parents and our students and our constituents cannot come to us and let us know what's happening, then we don't know what policies we need to fix. We don't know how we can change things and make it better, especially when it's something like bullying. But that was my intention, >> Dr. Peterson. >> All right. Thank you. I just wanted to just very briefly just say that um we are a policymaking body. We are not an investigating body of of and that's just we know that um and solving bullying issues nationwide that that's not going

153to get resolved because you know we we attempt to do something when we we have less information and you always will have less information than the people at the site. And uh so I think we're we're a policymaking body. We're not an adjudicating body of policy effectiveness. You know, we we can look at effectiveness. We can change policy, but we cannot interject ourselves into relationships and act actions that are going on at the school level. That that's just uh that's micromanagement, folks, big time. So, I'm just saying we don't need that. Thank you. >> All right, everyone, please vote. Well, that's fine, Miss Bory. Go ahead. >> We can vote. But I think I think I I think the better thing to do is to keep working on this. Um, >> vote it down and

154do it again. >> Well, we vote it down and do it again or we table it and work on it. I don't know. >> Huh? The vote has been requested. Okay. >> We have to vote on this now. You want to make some kind of change. >> Okay. >> Has to go through >> so we can just bring it back up. [snorts] >> That's what your desire is >> right now. You have to go. We have to vote on this right now. >> Now you if you want to discuss it later on, you can. >> Paul. Is it okay that Kinda speaks >> via Robert Robert's rules? Normally you make the comments all we've been commenting the whole time. Then Mr. Kruzan's right. It's time to vote now unless you know. >> All right, Kinda.

155All right. >> Keep talking about it. >> All right, everyone. Please accept. Just kidding. >> Okay. What's the vote though? >> Five, six, twoens. >> All right. And that motion fails with five yays, six nays, and two abstensions. Next is the approval of a memorandum of understanding between St. Tam Parish of teachers and school employees and St. Tamony Parish School Board regarding extension of the 2426 CBA agreement. Do I have a motion? I'll make that motion. Do I have a second? Miss Gallagher, any comments from the public? Miss Underwood, please state your name when you come up to the podium. >> Good evening. My name is Stephanie Underwood and I serve the as the executive vice president of the St. Tam Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the president of the Federation Care Closet.

156I'm speaking before you today as an advocate for our employees and to ensure that their collective voice voices heard also to ask you to vote yes on extending the contract the CBA for an additional year. In our schools, we talk often about the principles of leader and me, about modeling behaviors, building relationships, and creating a culture of respect. We expect employees to listen and respect students, and I believe it is just important that we model the same behavior as adults. Over time, employees have been very clear about what matters to them. They want to feel heard. They want consist consistency, and they want to know their rights will be respected and followed. The agreement provides that structure. It creates clear expectations and defined professional ways to address concerns when they arise so that issues can

157be handled respectfully and appropriately. At its core, it helps provide a level of stability. When employees feel secure and supported in their basic needs, they are better they are better able to give their full attention and energy to students. That same idea of listening and responding to needs is what led us to the Federation Care Closet. We heard from employees who were struggling across different roles in our system. Some even qualifying for programs like WICK. We responded by creating something to help meet those needs. That's what listening and respect looked like in action. I believe in continuing to build on what is working and what is best support what best supports our employees, our students, and our community. And I support extending this agreement. Thank you for your time and your continued service to St.

158Timothy Parish. [applause] Anyone else? >> All right. Um Mr. Jabia, would you like to speak? Just real quick, uh just I brought thisou to you today. Um we in in order to begin negotiations and for for us to begin the process, it was necessary for us to have an agreement moving forward. Uh without this agreement, it would be pointless to negotiate on both sides. Uh so I bring this to you today so we can move forward. Uh we've already uh been in in touch with uh the federation and we've already begun that process uh since the day of this signing. So, I just want to make everyone aware of that. >> Thank you, Mr. Javier. Uh, any comments from board members? >> Mr. Harold, >> thank you, President Martin. Um, I'm really confused because I

159know in March, I think Mr. Osbborne got up and said we needed anou so that we that we would be considering, you know, that y'all would not waste y'all's time negotiating. So then when you sent the email last Friday saying that y'all had signed anou, I kind of expected it to be something along the lines that you had brought up, you know, in the previous month's meeting. Thisou though is doesn't even really focus on y'all's negotiating. This is just extending the >> the extending the CBA a whole another year. It doesn't say anything about renegotiating or anything that we had talked about in the previous meeting, but that email was sent Friday after our committee as a whole meeting. And then upon reading the theou, it looks like it was signed 14 days prior to

160that. I wish we would have seen this. We you had plenty of time to put this on the agenda at the committee as a whole meeting to have an executive session, which is what the law allows us as a school board to do when negotiating with the union, which is exactly what we were told we were kind of trying to work on. The fact that it was not put on executive session for us to discuss after 14 days of having it raises red flags. I don't think it was really done intentionally, but Miss Osborne didn't mention it in the last meeting. It wasn't mentioned in anything in the meeting. It was the first thing I heard was in an email. To me, that just raises red flags. Mr. Osborne, your favorite line is probably trust

161but verify. So, I think you would fully agree with me in saying I think we need to table this vote until next month and give us a chance to have an executive session at the next committee as a whole meeting. Do I think we'll extend it? Yes. But the fact that it was not given that chance, it raised a lot of red flags. So, I would hope you would support your your statement of trust but verify and give us a chance to verify. >> Okay. >> Madam Chair, >> yeah. Recognized as president of the federation, >> Mr. Osborne. >> Thank you. Uh Bran Osborne, president Staint Tammy Federation. Uh Mr. Harold to address that. Um I did make a speech and what I said in that speech and maybe it wasn't as clear, but I

162said it was better to split the two things in half so that the financial negotiations didn't have this unnecessary pressure because this has to be done by May 1st. That's what the one-year extension mechanics say. So, uh, Superintendent Jaby and I felt this was a good place to do it. So, there wasn't a special meeting. But you can look at anyou that we've done. Go back to December 14th, 2020. That was when the 2020 CBA was negotiated. You were part of that, Mr. Harold, in your first um term. There was no scheduled um executive session. You guys go into executive session to discuss strategy and negotiations. That's the language. There's no strategy here. This needs this needs to be talked about in in the open air so these folks can see what the deliberations are.

163Uh go to July of 2024 when we walked in here in good faith and y'all started an executive session for an hour and a half. >> That's red flags. Right. >> That motion that came out, we had it analyzed by attorneys was an illegal motion. You cannot take a bilaterally negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the federation and management and swap it out with an unadvertised uh handbook that's unilaterally created. And at the time, nobody knew what that was. So, it wasn't like you had this advertised thing that had been worked on. So going back to the November uh 2023, you know, that that termination vote was a red flag. There was no need to be that aggressive, but Superintendent Jabby and I picked up the pieces. We worked with the federal mediators and you guys

164take a lot of time on policy. It's tough to make the sausage in public. Look at all the work that he and I accomplished to take that document that was over 120 pages and really um winnow it down. And even though the motion was illegal, we found a way to honor it, which Superintendent Jabia did say on the ratification night. We took policies out that were more like HR things and that's going to go into the existing handbook. Now, they haven't made it in there yet. So, but we did our work. The two parties did the work and we have something employees can be proud of. So to table this would be one more um like throwing salt in the wound for these folks. They came out here. It's late. They just want to know

165that they're going to have the rights that they have relied upon for years um past June 30th. So the clock's already ticking. Like I said, May 1st is the deadline. There's no scheduled board meeting. So to table it is going to create a whole another set of problems. But you will have negotiations. You will have executive session. May 4th is the next scheduled one. We would like to be in there at least in the first part so you can hear both sides of the story. And so all that confusion that happened last time won't happen. We have come a long way this year. Frank Jabia and his team came down to that care closet. We invited all of you, but they came and we have a picture together. And that picture for me means so

166much. We turn the page. And look, you wouldn't know it. We've had some serious times behind the scenes working on some tough issues. We never brought that here. Mr. Brun told me last year in April, don't talk so much in the meetings. Okay. So, I've tried to abide by that. Uh I don't know if that's what was made the meeting shorter. I didn't intend on talking tonight, but this is desperately needed. This is a one-year extension and we beg for your pass uh your your passage of this. And I'll be here for any questions, but I don't want to set another syllable unless I have to. Thanks, >> Mr. Osman. I appreciate that. But again, this agreement was signed three weeks ago and we found out 6 days ago. It still raises red flags. I

167understand that it has to be done by May, which is why it should have been done a week ago. I don't I I'm not in control of it. I never knew about it until Friday. So I I think we need to be able to review this and discuss why was it >> why did we not discuss it because there are things that we've discussed in executive session that I think we need updates on when it comes before we go to extending a a CBA for a year. My thoughts I would like to table it. If I don't have a second I don't have a second. Miss Hansen. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, Mr. Jabia, so you have been working on negotiating the terms of the CBA with the union president. Is that correct? >>

168We've already begun conversations. Yes. We have not talked our side. We have not done that. Uh, Mr. Osborne and his team came with simple language. We had the federal mediator in there uh so that we could have some conversations about where to get started. U nothing financial because we're not prepared for that yet. Uh we won't be prepared for that till it gets much closer to uh constitutional amendment three and what's going to happen there because that's going to be kind of a defining moment >> for the entire state I think. Um but yeah, we've begun language in the CBA that we've been discussing for a while that needed to be cleaned up as we've progressed through this year. But yes, we've already decided uh had started uh I did bring this up to the

169board officers. did have this conversation in our officer meeting so that I could begin the process because for us to move forward for me to in good faith to start the process we needed to have some kind of gentleman's agreement so that we could get started. Uh I discussed that with the board officers. We all discussed that we would bring it. It's not a policy change. We would bring it to the board meeting for discussion tonight. But moving forward in good faith that it was relative and necessary for me to go ahead and sign the agreement to begin the process that's what's best for the school system in the s in where we are right now in this situation >> and therefore when the CBA when you come to your agreement on what the CBA

170looks like >> we will have an opportunity to discuss terms >> of the CBA. somewhat. >> I'm just >> add to that what Frank said, Madam Chair, just briefly. >> So, um, this is a financial reopener. So, there are some items that we wanted to polish and you can probably guess what some of them were. They're based on board concerns and things like that. So, this wasn't yet the time to go to executive session because all all the superintendent has is our non-money proposals. He he wouldn't come to you until he's got his counters and our stuff. So mechanically >> and and I wish this this process were easier to understand. Maybe it's it's second nature to us. It's second nature to Mr. Harrison. >> Um and we we don't like that it creates the

171confusion. But there in no way, shape, or form does Superintendent Jab do anything improper, nor did I, as federation president, my uh negotiating team. But if you combine those two things of a ticking bomb, May 1st was going to be when the CBA expired and we weren't prepared. We couldn't get the mediator until May 4th. It was creating a situation. So, we solved it. We solved it. And look, I've kept things off Facebook because I want labor peace. I want them to not have to stress and worry about all these things. And again, I did not intend on speaking tonight, but I just we've got to move forward with this kind of stuff. Like Superintendent Jabia said on August 2024, this is our system. This is our system. And y'all are talking about finding ways

172to have oversight over bullying. This third party is your oversight over discipline of employees. We make sure we always say this, we protect the process and it is a gold standard process. Those are Superintendent Jabia's words. We've worked extremely hard with uh Mr. Alfonso, Miss Belinda Pennison, Dr. Tilman to make that a great process. You've got a lot of green administrators. You don't have as many of the icons that you used to have like the Vronos. So, they need to be trained in this process as well. If you have a strong, clean, objective investigation, then accountability is the focus. But when the process is messy, things get all over the place. Okay. So, um that's just one element. But the bottom line is we found informal and formal ways to resolve disputes in ways that

173maintain labor peace. Didn't cost any money. Didn't cost any money. And at this point, we have half the grievances that we had last year because of the efforts that we've made to resolve things informally. So, um, please again, I beg you for passage of this so that we can continue that work that we've lined up with the mediator and that our folks are expecting. Um, and I I think as always, you'll be pleased with the work and we're willing to work with you if you have concerns. >> Thank you, Mr. Osman. >> Thank you. Um, well, the reason I asked that is because, you know, I understand why you can't come to final terms on the CBA. As Mr. Jabi had said we don't know what the outcome of amendment three is going to be

174and that will largely impact salaries and which is a huge part of the the the negotiations and I recall as to why we wanted it to end on May 1st because this is the last year of this four-year term and so [clears throat] therefore we wanted to make sure we had something solidly in place to protect our employees before June 30th And I can see how that is going would be even more difficult if we don't have anou to extend it for a year because that would mean we'd have to wait for the outcome in May and we're right back to how we were a couple years ago and the contentiousness of how it was a couple years ago. So therefore I I'm at you know and I also Mr. Jabia seems to be very

175content and being able to work these negotiations out. Um, so if if we have the employer and someone representing the employees that are on agreement, I I am hardressed to not vote in favor of that. So that's that's why I will have to vote in that manner. >> Miss Gallagher. I will first of all I will speak because I'm the one who caused the debacle last time and I'm okay with that but everyone spoke loud and clear and this is what they want which is fine. I think what Mr. Peril is trying to say is when things get brought to us and it's like well you have to do it now because if not we don't have this to me this should have been brought to us in March that if we had any issues

176we could have tabled it in March and brought it back tonight but tonight it's like do or die pretty much and a lot of times things get thrown to this board like that and that's it. This is not this is just one of them. I think everybody's going to pass it right. Um but the fact that it's brought to us today and it's like well we don't have any other time to do it. today has got to be the day. And it wasn't brought up at the board meeting in March because you knew as well as everybody sitting in this room that it was expiring May 1st. So instead of waiting until April, we should have done it a month sooner and we could have we would have avoided this in my opinion. I'm not

177saying that I understand the reason why it's here and why you want to do it. But in the future, I would appreciate if the two of you if there's something we need to vote on or if there's going to be contention, give it to us a little sooner. Don't put it on this tonight and be like, "Well, you have to vote for it now cuz if not, it's going to cause all kinds of issues." Well, you two did this to yourselves by waiting so long. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying I wouldn't vote. Yes. But March would have been the better idea, so this wouldn't have happened. It's my opinion. >> It's a fair point. Respectfully, we did ask for a four-year deal without having to do these extensions. But I will say we

178tried to get that mediator in early March. No excuses. We're extraordinarily busy though. This man and his team extraordinarily busy. And I don't know what it was about spring starting. It's insane. >> But don't wait till March. >> So >> like this is a big deal for the employees. Huge. >> Let's let's all put March 1st in our phones next year because we're going to be doing the same thing next year. And that's and it's fair. But just know May 1st is that hard stop for the final extension. >> It is not just this. This is not on you. Trust me, it is multiple things that get thrown at us last minute and it's like, well, wait, we got to make a decision tonight. Like, we just heard about this. >> You know what I'm

179saying? So, those are things. It's not against teachers at all. I am fine saying yes. It's what Mr. Harold's point is is that if your principal comes to you on Thursday at 5:00 and says you have to be somewhere Friday morning at 6:00 a.m., that's not a lot of time for you to prepare things at your house or your family or your kids or your whatever. You know what I'm saying? like it's last minute and this is a huge deal. This isn't just a let's let these people retire, you know, cuz we could say no and they still retire, right? But this is a much bigger deal and I just would appreciate a month prior it coming to us instead of tonight and we have no choice but to pass it or have a debacle

180on our hands. That's the situation I feel like you put us in. Both of you, not just you. >> No, Mr. Osborne, we're going to let the rest of the board speak. Okay, >> it fair. I'll just say fair. Miss Hers, >> I didn't see the queue, so I didn't know where I was. Um, well, I I just want to thank y'all for uh Oh, there we go. Ah, look at me. All right. Um, so thank y'all. Thank y'all for uh getting this uh together. Um I I I understand that um it's kind of last minute, not last minute, but I do understand with all the, you know, getting all the P's and the Q's and the eyes dotted and the te's crossed and everything else. So, personally, I wish it was a two-year extension,

181but it is what it is. So, I I'll take a year. Um obviously, y'all know what my vote's going to be. Yay. Um [snorts] but uh I don't but anyway um uh so from what I understand and and I'm going to get this confirmed. So we are p if we pass this I hope we do if we pass this this is not the end all of end all okay we're going to go into negotiations and we can addus um you know like like I brought up if the board you know if if someone comes to us and the board finds out something that is to the benefit of our staff our teachers or or anything. We can, you know, we can ask for anou. We can ask our superintendent to go into negotiations for something

182that is a benefit to our employees. You know, this is again, this is not set in stone. This is not the end all of endalls. So, you know, yes, we have to wait for, you know, amendment three. Is it amendment three? you know, for for the salary thing, but there are other things that we could maybe, you know, look into. Like I mentioned the bereavement, you know, or anything else that we could look into, you know, maybe jeans every day. No, I'm just just joking. I know that just caused a whole another I don't want to do another twohour, you know, whatever, but I mean, I'm just saying, you know, just, you know, other things that, you know, we can talk about. So, just keep that in mind, you know, as as they're going into

183negotiations, which, you know, I also want to maybe throw out there if um maybe we do go into executive into executive session that maybe we could hear a little bit from the federation uh before we hear from Frank and that way we may get a little bit more um involvement. That's just my personal opinion. But anyway, that's it. Miss Baker, >> thank you. So, it's obvious and clear that um there's been harmony and disharmony. And I think that from where we were two years ago to where we stand today, clearly it's it's a much in my opinion a much better um working relationship and a true working relationship and and Mr. Jabia does support this. But I do at this point I do have questions like why did y'all decide one year when before you

184asked for four? I mean like there are questions and I don't think that it's and and if it does pass tonight and we don't agree necessarily with the terms what then hap is it locked in for a year versus I mean help me understand that. >> Yes ma'am. Is it okay if I respond? Okay, Miss Baker. Um the you're renewing um for a one-year extension the current agreement. Any >> as it's written anyus um don't have to be accepted, you know. Um there are some that we're working on. There's a probationary period that was a good idea. We just need to tweak the language a little bit. So, um we worked together with Mr. Alonso on that. So, that's a no money thing that helps the system. It gives you a probationary period you didn't

185have before. It gives some checks and balances though to make sure it's done fairly. All right. So, that's that's a no-brainer, but there may be some other things, but I think the fixes on some of the if you remember some of the items in there that people had exception to like the duty thing, >> I think you'll like the fix because I listen to every single person up here >> and I created a fix. Now, we're still going to negotiate that, but those are the types of things. So, it's not necessarily trying to add to, it's tweaking, it's fixing, and making sure it performs like we all intended. You know how it is sometimes unintended consequences with with language. So, >> okay. So, forgive me, but if this goes Why just a year? >> All

186right. >> I mean, that was a four years. I'm going to blame Jim Bro. He's my he's district 13. We we came in here. So, after the debacle, um, Miss Martin and Mr. Bro got it back on the agenda, and I walk in here with all these red shirts. We didn't want to do red shirts tonight. Want to do school colors. And he's like, "I want to do a two-year deal with two-year extensions." I said, "Come on, man." So, anyway, but I think it was an overall board idea from what I recall because I remember Miss Lamey telling me that was kind of something she was thinking about >> and I think it was in response to how contentious it had been >> previously. >> Okay. And so, um, >> we're only allowed one year

187at a time. >> Miss Mona told me, "Take it." She's like, "Take the deal." So that, um, you know, we're only allowed one year at a time. And then once it's all over, um, hopefully there will be a successor agreement and then the terms will be set at that time. But that's the language we have. So, we're going to stick to it. Um, I don't recommend somebody do an amendment to do two years because you got a new board coming in. Let's just do what it says one year at a time. >> Mhm. >> And um not stress everybody out. >> Okay. So, a vote yes >> means that there will be a contract >> for one year. >> Mhm. >> But it doesn't say what's going to be in that contract. Am I correct?

188>> Well, it says what's going to be in it. Like you're renewing what's in it currently. >> That's it. No changes. But memorandums of understanding once we're complete and you'll have a chance in executive session to review any changes [cough] if thatou passes after the financial negotiations are done then those changes would go into effect. Okay? So that would include the new money for next year >> and any tweaks that we do to the language. So you'll have ample opportunity in the executive sessions to review and again we hope to be part of that. So we can inform. It's got to be an executive session though because we can't have anybody talking about it. So we're we cannot talk to our members about it. We agreed to that. We can't put anything on Facebook unless

189it's general. And I always run it by Superintendent Javi. It's about just keep it keep it clean and keep it keep it labor peace and let's do this process and then bring it to the public to take a look at bring it to the board. >> And this is just the beginning, Miss Baker. So this is just we just this just lets us start the process and then once Mr. Osborne and I have talked about things then we will discuss those in executive session for you guys to give me direction. >> It was my understanding that regardless we don't have any say in the negotiation but we do have say in whether we agree or not agree. >> That is correct. >> Well I'll qualify that. Miss Mona from Jefferson. I'm not saying we do

190this. I think it'd be a disaster. but they negotiate directly with the board. Don't do that. >> Right? >> But I want you to know if we're in this room and we're listening to your ideas, it helps. It really does. It helps. So even if you can't >> directly change the lang, we'll listen. We'll listen because ultimately we want it to be something language everybody's happy with and it's going to do good for everybody. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Miss >> Thank you, Miss Martin. Um, and mine most of mine has really been answered. And I I spoke to Mr. Jabia months and months ago just to voice my opinion that I thought a one-year extension was the way to go because there's an election and it could be all new people in

191here. But um, and and I I want to sh say what Miss Gallagher said. I think you're I think you're getting the backlash of some frustration of of lastm minute things, you know, being given to us to make decisions. And I don't think that that's, you know, your choice. But um um >> I'll take the blame. >> No, no, no. I don't I'm not there's no blame. It's it's a moot point. I just want to understand absent anyus everything just stays the way it is until 20 June 27. Okay. If there's anou that becomes a permanent part of the of the contract. Okay. Okay. And anyou going forward we would hear before it came to us to vote. >> Correct. Um any >> anything that's going to change the contract would come to us before?

192>> Yes. >> Well, the during the negot negotiation part, but when you get to the night of we're going to vote on it, >> I don't know of a night where there was an advertised executive session. Um if you can ask Mr. comparison I even if you don't advertise it if there's some element that you want to talk about but I think at that point when it's once it's a finished product I don't think you could t it's not really strategy anymore you either vote it up down or table it um that's >> so you get clarity from Paul I want to make sure I'm saying it right >> but Mr. Jabia could request an executive session prior to discuss anything you guys have talked about. >> Yes. >> And that would be appropriate. >>

193The whole road up to that moment of like tonight this moment. >> Well, this is not we actually haven't had this before like a one-year extension. But let's say um remember the the night it had all the different financial things. Some of them weren't popular like the coaches. >> No, I'm not talking about let's forget financial. They say we're going to >> but it's anou. >> So is he going to talk about duty with us before it just pops up for us to vote on that night? >> Yes, absolutely. Any negotiations along the way, y'all will have >> Okay. >> opportunity to at least speak to um Super Jabia. I'll certainly make my team available. Don't keep us in there the whole time. Just throw us out. Just get what you need, throw us out.

194And um just we just ask that any material we all keep it confidential, right? That's all. >> Of course. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Kusanne. Thank you. >> I [clears throat] understand where the board members are, some of the board members are coming from and I agree with what the things Mr. Eric said, but I think this is such an important issue. I think that we can vote on this tonight. I I like to request that we vote on this. [applause] Mr. Harold, >> thank you, ma'am. Do I think this would not pass? No, I think it would pass. It's still the process that I have a problem with. Y'all have known that the agreement was coming to an end for two years. Y'all have had time to negotiate or come up

195with these ideas and present them. I feel like we're extending it. Nowhere in theou does it actually say negotiate or doing. So I think what we're really doing is just extending the CVA. The negotiation that we're referring to is just going to be the regular financial opener, regularou additions throughout the process, which according to Mr. Osborne, we don't really negotiate or don't go in executive session for. So, we could talk about what we're going to do with these negotiations, but they're not negotiations. They're just an one-year extension, and we'll have the regular financial reopener. That's I mean, that sums it up. I mean that's >> superintendent Jav if we didn't extend it then we're our scheduled negotiations are after this is over the whole thing collapses collective bargaining is gone we can't start the negotiations

196at that point so um I do respect what board members are saying yourself included let's keep a mind next year on this process um we do always negotiate in the spring February was too early as Miss Pos would tell you she's still trying to calculate you know where are we going to um particularly in volatile times. U but I will certainly take take that under advisement and we'll keep in mind so that I I'm going to go look at my speech again. I thought I covered it but maybe I didn't but I thought I covered >> I agree you in your speech in March you said about negotiating and doing all this. >> I'm just saying what you actually signed doesn't say anything about negotiation. It's not like hey we're going to negotiate for the

197next two months and we'll have something final for you. We're just extending it to extend it. So what you're talking about doing for the next negotiation should have been done prior to this point is what I'm saying. We we should be just extending the CVA without any negotiations except our usual financial reopeners. What I'm very disappointed in is the fact that we didn't know about this prior to Friday. We all sat in the same room on Thursday and never heard a word of it. And it seems like the board officers did know ahead of time and chose to keep it from us as well instead of at least an email a week prior. So I Hey, it's not your fault. There's five other people that are at fault as well. I'm disappointed that we got

198surprised on Friday when I just saw all these same people Thursday night when we could have easily had an executive session to say, "Hey, this is what we've been talking about. Good to go." I want to fully back our superintendent and our staff all the time, but we can only do that if we have the information ahead of time. That's where my problem is. >> Okay. >> So, if he's saying >> fair enough, >> if Superintendent Jabia says came to us and said in executive session, guys, this is where I'm at right now. This is what I need y'all to do for me to get us through the next year. I'd back him 100%. and he knows that I'm disappointed he didn't give us the opportunity to back him 100%. >> But I I will

199still vote in favor of what Mr. Jav is asking for us. >> I don't >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Osborne. >> I just don't fall. >> Go ahead, Miss Hansen. >> I don't fall, Frank. I really don't. >> I I'd like to call the question. >> There are no part. >> Everyone, please vote. >> [clears throat] >> It's unanimous. >> And that passes unanimously. [applause] >> Thank you all for being here. >> Go ahead. >> We're gonna continue with business. Um, I needed to stay for this. >> Ple please be slightly quiet as you exit. Uh, next we have the appropriate retirement resolutions. Uh, Mr. Alfonso. >> Thank you, Miss Martin. Superintendent Jab and board. Appropriate retiring resolutions for the following employee support services personnel subsequent to the March 12, 2026 meeting. Velma O.

200Okonnell, Marin Elementary, 16.7 years, 12.68 years in Saint Tam. Warren L. Baker Senior Transportation Center 21.48 48 years 11.81 years in Saint Tamony. Jenna L. Bes transportation center 39.81 years all in Saint Tamony. Jimmy D. Pendergrass transportation center 11.73 years all in St. Tam. That's a total of 89.72 years. >> Do I have a motion? Miss Hansen. Do I have a second? Miss Rutherford. Any comments by the public? Questions by the board? >> Can I say one thing and Miss Martin? I never comment on these um just because I know a lot of people. Um but I just want to tell Miss Jenn, thank you very much. Uh longtime family friends. Um her grandson was one of the students, one of the young men that was killed in the French Quarter attacks at New Year's

201last year. If y'all remember reading that, that's her grandson. And all five of her kids grew up with me. Brett was in my wedding. So, I just want to tell her I'm thinking about her and God bless her. >> All right, everyone, please vote. [clears throat] >> [snorts] >> All right. And that passes unanimously. Next, we have public comments. All right. Uh I know there are a lot of you, so I'm just going to do a friendly reminder. Comments are limited to three minutes. And please refrain from um any profanity or specific employee names. >> All right. Uh, Miss Maggie Keading. And everyone, when you do come up to the podium, please state your name. My name is Maggie Kading and I'm a kindergarten teacher at Lion Elementary. And good evening. I would like the

202chance to share a few things that have been on my heart to keep in mind when you guys are choosing a new principal and new leadership for our school. Lion Elementary was once known as a highly respected school, a place where educators were proud to work and committed to staying for the long term. Our staff has always understood the unique needs of our student population and has consistently risen to meet those challenges with dedication, compassion, and professionalism. Today, however, the reality feels very different. Morale is at an all-time low. Many teachers are actively seeking to leave. Student behavior concerns have escalated often with limited to no consequences at all. Creating an environment where both safety and I want to emphasize safety for both students and for staff members um is increasingly uncertain. Classrooms are being

203disrupted, evacuated into hallways on a regular basis and in some cases completely destroyed and damaged. Staff members feel unsupported and there is a growing perception that accountability is inconsistent. This type of environment is not only impacts our daily operations, it is steadily affecting the reputation of our school as well of the as well as the reputation of the dedicated professional people within our school. Our teachers continue to show up every day given their time, their energy, their heart to their students. They are committed to providing a quality education and building meaningful relationships. But it is difficult to sustain that level of commitment when there is lack of support and when the narratives about our school are shaped by incomplete information and when efforts go unrecognized. So I ask, what is the why? What brings us

204here today? Why are we in these positions of leadership and service? And most importantly, how are we responding to the very real and urgent needs of our school community? There are individuals in this room who have been and are aware of these challenges going on. The question is is what steps are going to be taken to address them and restore the reputation that is that our school once held. As you move forward and selecting the leadership for Lion Elementary, I urge you to prioritize candidates who will restore a sense of order, accountability, and support. We need a leader who plans to intends to plant roots at our school for the long term as the revolving door of administration has not helped in providing the stability or the cons consistency needed in the areas such as

205discipline, safety, and the overall school climate. We [snorts] need someone who will foster a safe and positive environment for both our students and our staff members. One where teaching and learning can thrive once again. Thank you. [applause] Miss Rebecca Marino. Hi, my name is Rebecca Marino and I have been teaching for 14 years in title one. Um, I entered St. Tamony Parish and started teaching at Abne Elementary. I taught there for seven years and me and my husband bought a house in Covington and that's why I am here at Lion Elementary. I've only been at Lion Elementary for the past last school year and continuing this school year. Um, and in my observations and my experience, I had um written some characteristics of things that I would like y'all to consider when electing a principal

206for our school. Um, clear vision, building Lion to its fullest potential. Um, we'd like a principal who is purposeful and distinctive communication to staff, students, and families. A principal who fosters morale, presents meaningful data to staff and students and families throughout the year. Empower staff with ample leadership opportunities. Maintains traction consistently to sustain system implementation on campus. receptive and considerate when hearing questions, suggestions, improvements, and concerns from staff, students, and families. Attentive disciplinarian that seeks strengthening staff and student abilities and unwavering commitment every day in every way. [applause] Thank you, Britney Mayor. >> [clears throat] >> My name is Britney Maynard. Good evening, members of the board and superintendent. My name is Britney. I'm a parent of Lion Elementary and a former PTA board member. And I'm here today to speak about the future of

207Lion Elementary. As we look toward the next chapter of leadership for this school, it is vital that we select a principal who views the school as not just a building of classrooms, but a partnership. We are looking for someone who understands that parental involvement is not interference, it's an asset. When parents feel welcomed and heard, the entire school culture shifts towards excellence. We need a principal who invites us in, values our diverse perspectives, and works with us to solve problems. Right now, many parents feel that involvement is limited, and that must change. Lion should be a place where families feel invited, valued, and encouraged to participate. Just because the demographics of our school may differ does not mean the level of opportunities, involvement, and experiences should be less. Our children deserve the same joy, the

208same engagement, and the same strong community as other schools. We ask that you during the hiring process, you prioritize candidates who have a proven track record of building bridges, not walls. We want a principal who is valuable in the hallways, accessible in the office, and truly open to the voices of the Lion community. Thank you for your time and dedication to our students. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Carrie Ellis. >> Good evening. My name is Kelly Ellis. I've been a teacher for seven years with six of those in Title One schools. For the past three years, I've been at Lion Elementary. I understand the unique challenges that come with title one environments, and I feel confident in my ability to manage student behavior. However, this year's level of behavior has been the most severe I've

209ever experienced, and I do not believe appropriate actions or systems have been consistently in place to address it. We are at risk of losing phenomenal teachers because of these ongoing issues. When selecting a principal, I strongly urge you to consider a leader who prior prioritizes discipline, accountability, and safety. I'm looking for a leader who will enforce clear and consistent consequences for student behavior. Demonstrate that unsafe or disruptive actions will not be tolerated. Create and maintain a safe environment for both staff and students. And at this time, I do not feel that our student that our school consistently reflects the parishwide priority of safety. There have been several serious incidents this year that did not result in meaningful consequences. For example, a student lit toilet paper on fire and was sent back to class. A student

210rolled bullets to school. A group of students wearing ski masks, harassed another child. A student destroyed a classroom, locked themselves inside, and threw objects. And a student brought a knife to school and was sent back to class. A student repeatedly leaves class and runs throughout school without consequences. In each of these cases, students were returned to class with little to no accountability. This approach does not teach appropriate behavior, nor does it deter future incidents. We've been told that recess cannot be taken away, which limits one of the few immediate consequences available to classroom teachers. Sending students back to class without consequences sends a message that these actions are acceptable. In the real world, actions have consequences, students need to begin learning that now in a structured and supportive environment. Additional strategies such as allowing recess

211be taken away or requiring reflective uh writing could also help enforce reinforce expectations and provide meaningful consequences. In conclusion, I respectfully ask that you prior prioritize strong discipline leadership when selecting the next principal for Lion Elementary. Someone who is willing to uphold expectations, support teachers, and ensure a learning a safe learning environment for all. Thank you for your time and consideration. [applause] >> Thank you, S. Whitney Greathouse. >> Good evening. My name is Whitney Greyhouse and I'd like to take a moment to share what I believe Lion Elementary truly needs in a leader. Our school deserves a principal who brings strength and consistency and discipline while also leading with compassion and fairness. Students thrive when expectations are upheld in both a firm and supportive way. A positive environment starts with structure but is sustained through

212understanding and respect. Equally important is how staff are supported. Teachers do their best when they feel trusted, valued, and heard. Lion Elementary needs a leader who encourages open communication, who gives teachers a voice, and who's who allows them the professional space to do what they do best, teach. Guidance and support are definitely essential, but so is confidence to step back and avoid micromanagement. Fostering a culture of professionalism rather than pressure. [snorts] A strong school also needs to include families. Parent involvement should be welcomed and encouraged, creating a partnership that benefits every child. When families feel connected and included, students succeed at higher levels both academically and emotionally. Above all, when a we need a leader who treats every student, staff member, and family with consistency and respect. Someone who builds up people, not tears them

213down. who leads with positivity, purpose, and genuine commitment to helping everyone grow as we move forward in the principal selection process. I respectfully ask that these qualities remain at the forefront. Choosing a leader is one of the most important decisions for the future of our school and it is vital that the person selected reflects the values. Discipline, strength, fairness, support, and a commitment to building a positive productive environment for us all. Lion Elementary is filled with dedicated teachers, supportive families, and incredible students. With the right leadership, one that balances strength and discipline with encouragement, we can continue to grow into a positive, effective learning environment that our community truly deserves. Thank you. Thank you, Miss House. Molly Caldwell. My name is Molly Caldwell and I am a sweet parah at Lion Elementary. I am both

214a parent and an employee of Lion Elementary. I am here to address my concerns. My child is in second grade and has had two teachers quit before Christmas break along with his art teacher. He is autistic and thrives on consistency. He lost teachers that gave him oneto-one support structure and for a time he lost his spark. Throughout his years at Lion, he has had to ev evacuate his class due to behaviors and as an employee I knew but as a parent I've had no communi communication regarding these situations. I have a kindergartener who is a model student who loves to learn and I fear that the many behaviors in his grade level could set him back if we don't have a strong leader to guide him or to guide our students in the right direction.

215As a parent, I urge our higherups to find the right principal for my children's school. As an employee, I'm surrounded by a low morale due to staff feeling unseen or unheard. I believe in this school and hope that with the right guidance, it can get back to where it once was. There are so many wonderful children, but they get lost among the children with behaviors and that's not fair to them. I understand it comes down to parental involvement and that administration can only go so far. But there are teachers pleading for help and we need to know that we are heard and supported. Thank you for your time and listening to my please. >> Thank you [applause] Cindy Lester. Good evening. I'm Cindy Lester. I retired in May of 2025 with 28 and a half

216years of service in St. Tam. 25 of those years, Lion Elementary was my home. I am reading this this afternoon, this evening on behalf of Amber Vervo, a teacher who has proudly served Lion Elementary for the past 13 years and soon to be parent of a student at Lion Elementary. Amber states, "During that time, I've seen firsthand the incredible potential within our students, our staff, and our community. Lion is a special place. It is a school capable of excellence, of high expectations, strong achievement, and a culture where both teachers and students thrive. I know this because I've experienced it. I have seen what Lion can accomplish under strong, consistent leadership. As we look ahead to the next school year, I ask one thing of this board. Please search carefully for our next principal. This decision

217matters deeply, not just for today, but for the future of our school. We need a leader who brings strength, structure, and a clear sense of direction. [snorts] A strong disciplinarian who can establish consistency, accountability, and a culture where learning is the priority. Our students deserve that. Our teachers need that. and our community expects that this is not about criticism. This is about opportunity. Lion has the foundation to be a high caliber school. With the right leadership in place, we can rise to that standard. Once again, I urge you to take the time to be intentional and to choose a leader who will bring out the very best in Lion. Thank you. And on a personal note, um myself, um during the era of Janine Barnes and Rita Pitman, that would be awesome. [applause] >> Thank

218you, Justice Lang. Sorry. Hi, I'm Lynn Sarin. Uh, good evening members of the board. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. I'm a teacher at Lion Elementary, and I care deeply about our students, our staff, and the future of our school. Today, I want to respectfully ask the board to conduct a thorough and thoughtful search for our next principal, one who has the experience, vision, and leadership skills needed to move Lion Elementary forward. One of the most urgent needs at our school is the restructuring of our special education program. What is supposed to be individualized education is being turned into a one-sizefits-all model. Our students with special needs deserve schedules, services, and supports that will help them succeed, including being placed in the appropriate setting. At times, our current structure has made

219it difficult to meet those needs consistently. We need a leader who understands special education deeply, who can organize schedules, staffing, and resources so that every student receives the services they are entitled to and deserve. But strong systems alone are not enough. Lion Elementary needs a principal who values communication, consistency, and discipline. Communication builds trust. Teachers, staff, and families need to feel informed, heard, and supported. A strong principal creates open lines of communication so that problems can be solved collaboratively and quickly. Consistency builds stability. Students and teachers thrive when expectations are clear and applied fairly every day in classrooms and throughout the school. Discipline sets a foundation for learning. Classrooms cannot function and teachers cannot teach effectively when disruptive behavior goes unressed. Our students deserve an environment where they feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.

220Lion Elementary is filled filled with dedicated educators who work incredibly hard for students every single day. What we need now is a strong leader who can bring structure, clarity, and direction to our school community. The decision you make about our next principal will shape the future of Lion Elementary for years to come. I respectfully ask that you take the time to find a leader who has the experience to strengthen our special education program and the commitment to communication, consistency, and discipline. Our students deserve that leadership. Our teachers deserve that support. And our school community deserves a principal who will help Lion Elementary reach its full potential. Thank you for your time and commitment to our schools. [applause] >> Thank you. Mr. Owin, are you going to speak? >> Oh, no. I'm waving. >> Okay. Miss

221Underwood, are you gonna speak? >> Stephanie Underwood. I was going to wave, but Stephanie Underwood, executive vice president, I just want to say real quick, um, earlier today, I sent y'all all an email, an email thanking y'all for your service, your leadership, and all that stuff because I was reflecting today and I I just seeing the growth and and where we have all come. It it's it's it's it was very uh heartwarming heartwarming today. Um, and then seeing these teachers come up here and pairs and parents come up here and speak. Thank you for giving that open door policy and making it feel safe for employees to come up here and speak, for the public to come up here and speak because a couple of years ago that wasn't happening. So, I appreciate y'all making

222this a safe spa space and allowing people to voice their their opinions. There are some great great thoughts there and and thank y'all. So, thank you again, [applause] Jamie Sigura. Is Jamie here? Mr. Joseph Hoffman. Hello, board. Joseph Hoffman. I just want to reach out to the Lion Crew. One of my best friends I've known for 20ome years. his two kids go lying. They're not going there next year. They're going to private school. So, I would do something because those people mean something to be here at 10:00 tonight. So, tonight I'm here to talk about the last part of my story. Two things can be true at the same time. I was treated unfairly, but everything happens for a reason. They didn't break me. They just made me stronger. On November 3rd, chaos happened that

223I knew would happen if we didn't have a meeting to discuss things. If my supervisor, my principal, and myself have a meeting, none of this happens. On November 3rd, we had uncontrollable student trying to hurt others. We had a substitute pair there that day. She couldn't control him or I mean her. I called for admin support. It took my principal 8 minutes to get there. I don't know about you, but I can drive across the whole city of Slidell in 8 minutes. So, she wasn't in a rush. She brought another student with her for that 300 yard walk off campus. Who brings another student to an emergency? I don't know. I was told a criminal investigation was done by the SRO. They reviewed the cameras. They decided, "No, he wasn't violent. He can go to

224school the next day. I was then written up for dragging and yelling at a student. We then went to the first Just Cause. My supervisor wasn't there for some reason. During the Just Cause, I asked for the gym videos that the SRO reviewed to prove my principal was lying about dragging a student. I was holding her by the arm. I have a 5-year-old daughter. I would never drag a student. told the next day that the camera in the gym didn't work. But how'd the cop look at it if it didn't work? The next week, a company came in to put a whole new camera system in and destroyed the other one. My level two just caused. My supervisor wasn't there for some reason. When I arrived, I am now only charged for yelling. No dragging

225anymore. I asked why no dragging. And I was told in this this voice that I'm using right now, don't ask about dragging. I'm only here to talk about yelling. I said, "All right." After this level two, I was then suspended five days, no pay. So that's $1,500 taken out of my daughter's pocket for yelling. I'm not allowed to yell as a coach in an emergency. Instead, I want to take $1,500. Woo! So finally I was done. I looked at Steve. I looked at Frank and said, "Take the job. It doesn't mean that much for my life to keep going through this." So I had to walk away because I truly felt their goal was to get me arrested. >> I'll be back in two weeks. >> Mr. Trey Ross. Good evening. My name is Trey

226Riyles. I'm a parent of two students in the system. Uh I teach at Found Blue High School and I'm here to advocate for my students and my kids who will be at one of my my son will be at the school next year. Um I'm here tonight to talk about the difference between competence and excellence. As a district, we claim to value the latter, but our funding priorities often tell a different story. Specifically, I'm here to advocate for a program called Skills USA. A program that has proven its worth time and again, yet continues to be treated as an optional burden. Shoot. For too long, the financial weight of these elite programs has fallen on the backs of educators and families. We see it in our incredible robotics programs that we talked about tonight across

227this district. programs who are doing worldclass work. Yet, students and coaches spend more time fundraising for competition fees than they actually do innovating. In my shop, we are asking students to pay to play for the privilege of representing this district with this is unsustainable. We should not be asking our students to subsidize their own ex excellence while we fund mediocrity elsewhere. I want to be bold. There's a questionable logic in our current spending. We spend millions of dollars trying to move students from failing to average so that our data looks safe. But what are we doing for our high-f flyers? We have a robust structure for our academically gifted students as we should. But in my lab, those lines blur. We have students who are gifted in the classroom and gifted in the shop. Students

228who are genius whose genius is technical precision and creative problem solving. Why are we so excuse me? Why are we so comfortable with the status quo for them? If we only ever invest in the floor, we will never reach the ceiling. And these kids do fly. Our track record last month in Lafayette, our students from Fountain Blue High School dominated, bringing home state titles in screen printing, graphic communications, sublimation, photography, and extemporaneous speaking. We have students like Margaret, Rose, and Cody who are multi-certified Adobe specialists ready for the national stage. And let's not forget Leah Sanchez, class of 25, who went to nationals last year, representing us by becoming the national champion in screen printing. These kids aren't these aren't kids with a hobby. These are champions. When we refuse to fund them, we tell

229them their successes don't matter. I'm not asking you to fund a club. I'm asking this district to invest in a culture of leadership to stop being okay with just enough. Let's be the trends setters. Let's show our students from the digital media lab to the robotic shop that this district matches their passion with resources. Don't let our legacy for these kids be that we settled for average because excellence was too expensive. If anybody wants to talk about Skills USA, I would love to tell you all about it. Uh I've gone through channels, my proper channels, and um I've run out of people to ask. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. All right, announcements. The committee as a whole meeting for May will be Thursday, May 7th. Graduations begin on Tuesday, May 12th, and a schedule

230will be will be emailed to each of us tomorrow. And the May board meeting will be Thursday, May 21st. Um, we will we will take >> Can you repeat that? >> Sure. Which part >> about the meeting? >> There's a week between the meetings because of graduations. >> So, the board meeting 21st. >> The board meeting is the 21st and the committee meetings are on the 7th. Um we are going to take just a threem minute break if anyone needs to use a restroom. Uh before we go into >> if you go in I can go home. >> Okay. Well, first I guess what we will do is we will go into executive session. Um an executive session has been requested uh for Chelsea Landry versus St. Tamony Parish School Board. Do I have a

231motion to go into executive session, Miss Baker? And a second by Mr. Herrell. Uh, any comments from the public? Questions by the board. >> All right. Uh, all in favor of going into executive session, say I. >> Any oppose? Say nay. >> All right. We are now in executive session. We will return to our seats >> in three minutes. >> I'll set a timer for you. [music] >> [music] [music]