2019 LASE/LASS FALL CONFERENCE

The Annual LASE/LASS Fall Conference was held on November 17-19, 2019. Over fifty (50) superintendents from accross the state participated in the event. Members attended the LASE workshops followed by sessions exclusively for them on Nobember 19^th. Topics regarding school accountability, finances, and curriculum needs were discussed among groups of superintendents. They all got the opportunity to voice their concerns and begin the development of their 2020 Legislative Framework.

DR. KELLI JOSEPH NAMED 2020 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

     During the LASE/LASS Fall Conference, Dr. Kelli Joseph was named the 2020 Superintendent of the Year. In 2011, Dr. Joseph set out to provide opportunities for students in underperforming schools, restore public support for a struggling school system and address staffing and organizational issues. She led an initiative that secured fiber optic internet service for the school district which in turn impacted the entire community.  A 1.5 million-dollar budget deficit was eliminated and a balanced budget obtained within three years.  She prepared and gained approval for tax renewals and new tax measures in 2011 and 2012 to increase pay and build new facilities. Through her efforts the district was able to obtain Unitary Status for the school system in 2018 thus ending one of the oldest desegregation cases in Louisiana. She was able to accomplish the building and renovating of facilities using taxes approved by voters and surplus general fund dollars.  Finally, she was able to increase the beginning salary for teachers by 27%. With hard work, a focus on student success and doing what was right for children the district was able to shift the school district in the right direction. Dr. Joseph will represent the state of Louisiana during the AASA National Conference in San Diego, CA.

SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANT

Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased to announce that Louisiana has been awarded a $500,000 grant as part of the STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program. The grant will be administered by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, headed by Executive Director Jim Craft. LCLE will partner with law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, school resource officers, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, Inc. The plan is to improve school security by providing teachers, students, and school administrators with the tools needed to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence. To accomplish this, in-person trainings will be offered to approximately 75,000 students in 70 schools across the state, as well as to school faculty and staff. The training will be provided free of charge, coordinated by the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a nonprofit group founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Superintendents can expect to receive information about participating in the program very soon. The contact person at the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement is Kelly Parks (225-342-7285). Since the grant funding will be limited to 70 schools, you are encouraged to research, decide, and apply as soon as possible. You can also find out more about the program by contacting one of the policy advisors in the Governor’s Office – Donald Songy (225-342-2107) or Leslie Chambers (342-0069).

LASS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Our yearly LASS Leadership Academy is underway! We are happy to have 19 participants this year. The program is for superintendents serving less than three years in the position or individuals who aspire to become a superintendent. We teach practical, necessary skills needed to be successful in this top-level position.

There will be three cohorts in three different parts of the state coordinated by University Leaders:

 - LSU/Southern/Southeastern – Baton Rouge/New Orleans Areas (Regions 1, 2, 3)   

 - ULL/McNeese – South Central/Southwest Areas (Regions 4, 5)                                

 - LA Tech/Grambling/ULM – North Louisiana Areas (Regions 6, 7, 8) 

The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents looks forward to working with these current and future leaders.

LASS WELCOMES NEW SPONSOR

We are pleased to announce our new partnerships with GRAD SOLUTIONS! Here’s a little information about our Platnium Plus Partner:

Grad Solutions was founded on the belief that every student has the ability to graduate high school. They have made the goal of attaining a high school diploma within reach. Since they opened their doors in 2012, Grad Solutions has been helping students fulfill their potential. They do this through personalized instruction, individual mentoring, excellent curriculum, flexibility, and a progress based program that does not require minimum attendance or seat time.

In Other News!

Education News in the Advocate (Baton Rouge)

Education News in the Advocate (New Orleans)

Shreveport/Bossier Education News

Monroe Area Education News

Alexandria Area Education News

Acadiana Area Education News

Superintendent Vacancies

Click HERE to view job opportunities that are available around the state. NEW POSITIONS CURRENTLY VACANT