Board of Directors of the Special School District public meetings in 2022
5 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Special School District will meet to approve 2023 meeting dates and grievance committee recommendations. The session includes an executive session to discuss the job performance of Acting Superintendent Katherine Grainer and an update on the superintendent search.
- Approval of 2023 meeting dates
- Review and approval of Grievance Committee recommendations
- Executive session regarding job performance of Acting Superintendent Katherine Grainer
- Update on Superintendent search
The Board approved recommendations from the Grievance Committee regarding staff training and ADA compliance. It also affirmed Katherine Granier's appointment as Acting Superintendent and approved a salary stipend for her dual role.
- Approved August 9, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Moved February 21, 2023 meeting to February 28, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved Grievance Committee recommendations for disability training and ADA coordinator (10-1)
- Affirmed appointment of Katherine Granier as Acting Superintendent with limited policy authority (9-0-1)
- Approved stipend up to 20% of total salary for Katherine Granier as Acting Superintendent and CFO (6-4)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Special School District will elect a President and review reports from the Superintendent and Teachers’ Advisory Council. The body will also consider the Superintendent search and selection process and the performance of the Acting Superintendent.
- Election of President
- Personnel Committee Superintendent Search and Selection Process
- Performance for Acting Superintendent
- Policy Task Force
The Board of Directors approved the creation of search criteria and guidelines for a new superintendent. They granted the Personnel Committee authority to hire a search firm and develop a performance evaluation rubric for the acting superintendent. The Board also elected new leadership positions.
- Approved May 16, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved July 25, 2022 meeting minutes
- Nominated Ms. Flynn for Board President
- Nominated Ms. Mary Smith for Board Vice-President
- Appointed Ms. Vallien to the Policy Task Force
- Authorized Personnel Committee to develop superintendent search criteria and guidelines
- Authorized Personnel Committee to hire a search firm for superintendent search
- Authorized Personnel Committee to develop a performance evaluation rubric for the acting superintendent
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors will meet to review findings from a personnel committee investigation into the superintendent's performance. The board will also discuss the performance of the acting superintendent.
- Superintendent Performance Investigation findings
- Discussion of Acting Superintendent performance
The Board of Directors voted to end the employment of Superintendent Dr. Ernest Garrett, III immediately. The board also directed that personnel committee findings be sent to several state oversight agencies and requested a process for a new superintendent search.
- Denied Dr. Ernest Garrett, III a contract and ended his employment immediately (Approved without objection)
- Directed Mr. Chas Griffin and Ms. Katherine Granier to send personnel committee findings to the Office of the Inspector General, the Division of Administration, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, and the District Attorney (Approved without objection)
- Directed Personnel Committee to delineate a superintendent search process for consideration by the August 9 meeting (Approved without objection)
- Deferred Agenda Item III to the August 9 meeting (Approved without objection)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Special School District will review a strategic plan and consider appointments for the Personnel Committee. The meeting includes reports on fiscal operations and teacher shortages, as well as an update on the legislative session.
- Presentation of Special School District Strategic Plan
- Consideration of Personnel Committee appointments
- Teacher Shortage Report data update
- Executive session to discuss Superintendent Contract
- Executive session regarding the process on hearing staff concerns
The Board of Directors placed Superintendent Garrett on paid leave while a newly appointed Personnel Committee investigates his job performance. Katherine Granier was appointed acting superintendent. The board also directed the establishment of a formal staff complaint process.
- Appointed Dr. Bell, Mr. Morris, and Ms. Flynn to the Personnel Committee (Approved)
- Placed Superintendent Garrett on paid leave pending performance investigation (Approved)
- Appointed Katherine Granier as acting superintendent (Approved)
- Authorized acting superintendent to designate day-to-day campus operations leads in her absence (Approved)
- Approved meeting minutes from February 21, 2022 (Approved)
- Requested copies of the Special School District Strategic Plan (Approved)
- Directed legal staff and Ms. Granier to establish a formal staff complaint process and report back at the next meeting (Approved)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Special School District will present a strategic plan and take action on board by-laws. The meeting includes reports on COVID data, academic improvement, fiscal operations, and teacher shortages.
- Presentation of Special School District Strategic Plan
- Action item regarding Special School District Board By-laws
- Executive session on Superintendent’s Contract
- Executive session on Provisional Authority Resolution
- Teacher Shortage Report data update
The Board approved amendments to the SSD Board by-laws to reflect Revised Statute 17:1945.1. The board also granted signing authority to Katherine Granier during the superintendent's absence and requested a letter identifying campus leadership during those absences.
- Approved November 8, 2021 meeting minutes
- Deferred Agenda Item III (c), (d), and Agenda Item IV until the next meeting
- Approved amendment to Article 8.1 of the by-laws to reflect Revised Statute 17:1945.1
- Approved SSD Board by-laws as amended
- Approved giving Katherine Granier signing authority during any absence of the superintendent
- Approved request for a letter from Superintendent Garrett identifying individuals in charge of the campus during his absence