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.

Cyber Attacks: State of Emergency Declared by Governor’s Office

Governor John Bell Edwards declared a state of emergency in response to the recent cyber attacks on school systems across the state. We are happy that most of our school systems are back to normal operations. You can read the declaration HERE. Also, we have uploaded documents and other forms provided by the Louisiana Department of Education in our online Toolkit. A statement from our LASS President has been sent to all members via email regarding this very serious situation.

JOINT LASS/LASS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER

The Joint Fall LASE/LASS Conference will be November 17-18, 2019 at the Crown Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge. If you have not already registered, please make plans to attend. It will be time well spent. Both members and non-members are welcome and there is no registration fee to attend. However, registration forms are due prior to the conference. The agenda and registration form can be found on our Online Toolkit page. A special superintendents-only meeting will be November 18-19, 2019. We hope to see all of our LASS members. Specific information regarding the events for superintendents will be sent to all members.

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.