Board of Directors of the Special School District public meetings in 2023
6 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors will review updates to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and present an organizational chart and goals for 2024. The meeting includes a consideration of an EEOC charge involving former employee Venesa Harris-Edwards.
- CTE Program updates including base case and short term plan
- Presentation of 2024 goals
- Consideration of EEOC charge 461-2023-00630 regarding former employee Venesa Harris-Edwards
- Org Chart Presentation
A quorum was not met, and official business could not be conducted. Reports were presented to those present for informational purposes only.
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Louisiana Special School District will meet to receive a finance update for the current fiscal year and discuss budget priorities for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year. The meeting includes public comment and the possibility of an executive session.
- 2023-2024 finance update
- 2024-2025 budget priorities discussion
The Board of Directors unanimously accepted reports regarding the FY24 finance status and FY25 budget priorities. Discussions included teacher salary gaps compared to national averages and the impact of staff vacancies on services.
- Accepted Superintendent Martin's FY24 finance status and FY25 budget priorities report (Unanimous)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors will elect a Secretary-Treasurer for the 2023-24 term. Members will also consider adopting various personnel and student policies, as well as engaging a court reporting service.
- Election of the 2023-24 Secretary-Treasurer
- Adoption of policies regarding drug-free workplace, employee expectations, outside employment, overtime, and student visitation/transportation
- Engagement of a Court Reporting service for Board meetings
- Adoption of a Board/Superintendent Communication Plan
- Litigation strategy concerning Marie Smith v. State of Louisiana, et al.
The Board of Directors approved five new district policies and elected Dr. Edward Bell as Secretary-Treasurer. The Board also authorized a contract amendment for legal representation in a federal civil action. A motion to correct May 16 minutes was deferred to November 7.
- Elected Dr. Edward Bell as Secretary-Treasurer (unanimous)
- Adopted Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace policy (unanimous)
- Adopted Employee Expectations policy (unanimous)
- Adopted Outside Employment Policy (unanimous)
- Adopted Overtime Policy (unanimous)
- Adopted Student Visitation and Transportation Policy (unanimous)
- Approved engaging a Court Reporting service for board meeting transcriptions (unanimous)
- Amended contract with Rodel and Parsons law firm for representation in Marie Smith v. State of Louisiana (unanimous)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Louisiana Special School District Board of Directors will meet to elect a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer for the 2023-24 term. The Board will also consider performance objectives for the Superintendent's 2023-2024 contract and a preliminary report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
- Election of 2023-24 President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer
- Consideration of Superintendent performance objectives for contract year 2023-2024
- Consideration of delegation of authority for adopting SSD policies
- Review of preliminary report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor
The Board elected Ms. Flynn as President and delegated the authority to adopt district policies to Superintendent Martin. The Board also adopted performance objectives for the Superintendent and authorized a response to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's preliminary report.
- Approved February 28, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Accepted Superintendent, Personnel, and Financial reports (unanimous)
- Approved path forward for Louisiana Commission for the Deaf meeting proposal (unanimous)
- Elected Ms. Flynn as Board President (unanimous)
- Tabled election of Secretary-Treasurer until August 28, 2023 (unanimous)
- Adopted performance objectives rubric for SSD Superintendent (unanimous)
- Delegated authority to adopt SSD policies to Superintendent Martin (unanimous)
- Authorized Ms. Flynn, Superintendent Martin, and counsel to respond to legislative auditor (unanimous)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Board of Directors of the Louisiana Special School District will meet to consider the superintendent's contract, discuss board development with SSA Consultants, and vote on several policies including remote work, ADA compliance, video monitoring, and employee grievance. The meeting will also include reports from the superintendent and personnel updates.
- Consideration of Superintendent's Contract
- Presentation and discussion on Board Development by SSA Consultants
- Policy review: Remote Work, Americans with Disabilities Act, Video Monitoring of School Property, Employee Grievance
- Acknowledge of LCD Letter/Plan Moving Forward
- Personnel Report
The Board approved the Superintendent's contract, including a performance-based annual raise of up to 5%. The Board also adopted new policies regarding remote work, video monitoring, and employee grievances. Additionally, a board development plan with SSA Consultants was accepted.
- Approved Superintendent Dr. Martin's contract with up to 5% annual raise based on performance (Unanimous)
- Approved SSA Consultants' board development plan for May 1 and August 22, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved Remote Work/Telework Policy (Unanimous)
- Approved Video Monitoring of School Property Policy (Unanimous)
- Approved Employee Grievance Policy (Unanimous)
- Acknowledged receipt of letter from Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (Unanimous)
- Approved November 1, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved January 24, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Board of Directors of the Special School District
The Special School District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting to discuss the withdrawal of current board counsel and select new counsel, and to conduct public interviews and select a new superintendent.
- Discussion of withdrawal of board counsel and selection of new counsel
- Public interviews of superintendent candidates
- Consideration and selection of superintendent
The Board of Directors appointed Dr. David Martin as the Superintendent of the Special School District. The board also selected a new law firm to serve as legal counsel following a previous firm's withdrawal.
- Approved Roedel Parsons Blache Fontana Piontek and Pisano as legal counsel (unanimous)
- Approved contract offer to Dr. David Martin for Superintendent (unanimous)