Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors public meetings in 2023
4 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors will meet to approve the 2024-2025 school calendar, credentials of new faculty member T. Fadipe (Sciences), and the LSMSA Student Device Policy. The board will also ratify Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements and items approved in the November 7 Executive Committee meeting. Reports from the Executive Director, faculty, and various divisions will be presented for discussion.
- Approval of 2024-2025 school calendar
- Approval of credentials of new faculty (T. Fadipe – Sciences)
- Approval of LSMSA Student Device Policy
- Ratification of Foundation Faculty/Staff Reimbursements since September 2023
- Ratification of agenda items approved in Executive Committee meeting, November 7, 2023
The Board approved the 2024-2025 school calendar, a new student device policy, and the credentials of a new science faculty member. The Board also ratified faculty reimbursements and several Executive Committee decisions regarding stipends and salary indexes. Board Chair Sharon Gahagan resigned effective immediately.
- Approved 2024-2025 School Calendar (unanimous)
- Approved credentials of new science faculty T. Fadipe (unanimous)
- Approved LSMSA Student Device Policy (unanimous)
- Ratified Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements since September 2023 (unanimous)
- Ratified Act 447 stipend distribution schedule (unanimous)
- Ratified LSMSA Faculty Salary Index (unanimous)
- Ratified determination that all instructors meet 'highly effective teacher' standards (unanimous)
- Accepted resignation of Board Chair Sharon Gahagan
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will consider several financial and operational approvals, including the FY24 budget and the proposed FY25 funding formula. The meeting also includes the ratification of faculty/staff reimbursements and property damage fees for key replacements.
- Approval of FY24 Budget
- Approval of FY25 Proposed Funding Formula
- Ratification of Faculty/Staff Reimbursements from LSMSA Foundation
- Ratification of Property Damage Fees related to key replacement costs
- Approval of LSMSA Employee/Staff Handbook
The Board of Directors approved the FY24 budget of $10,110,231 and the proposed funding formula for FY25. Members also approved a new employee handbook and the use of $80,432 in EEF funds for the 2023-24 academic year.
- Approved FY24 Budget of $10,110,231 (unanimous)
- Approved FY25 Proposed Funding Formula (unanimous)
- Approved use of $80,432 in EEF Funds for FY24 (unanimous)
- Approved Employee/Staff Handbook effective July 1, 2023 (unanimous)
- Ratified Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements since June 2023 (unanimous)
- Ratified correction of mailbox key replacement fee to $5 (unanimous)
- Approved June 19, 2023, meeting minutes (unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will meet to review the annual evaluation of the Executive Director and decide on a contract renewal recommendation. The agenda also includes votes on student activity fees, faculty credentials, and handbook amendments.
- Executive Session regarding Annual Evaluation of LSMSA’s Executive Director
- Approval of revised Student Activity Fees for 2023-2024 academic year
- Approval of proposed amendments to the Student Handbook
- Approval of credentials for new faculty
- Ratification of Foundation Faculty/Staff reimbursements since March 2023
The Board approved a satisfactory job rating and a three-year contract renewal for Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton. Other actions included approving new faculty credentials, adding two new courses, and updating the Student Handbook.
- Approved satisfactory job rating and 3-year contract renewal for Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton (Unanimous)
- Approved credentials for new faculty Gregory Wascoe and Dr. Telba Espinoza-Contreras (Unanimous)
- Approved new courses: Financial Literacy and Advanced Rowing for 2023-24 (Unanimous)
- Approved amendments to the Student Handbook (Unanimous)
- Approved revised Student Activity Fees for 2023-2024, increasing from $270 to $300 (Unanimous)
- Ratified Foundation reimbursements for six faculty and staff members since March 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved March 20, 2023, board minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved May 15, 2023, Special Committee minutes (Unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The LSMSA Board of Directors will vote on several action items including approval of new courses, student activity fees for the 2024-2025 academic year, LLC room damage costs, a contract for professional legal services, and ratification of faculty/staff reimbursements. They will also receive an update on the FY24 executive budget and hear division reports. Public comment is invited before the meeting.
- Approval of new courses offered (Agenda Item 4)
- Approval of student activity fees for 2023-2024 AY (Agenda Item 5)
- Approval of contract for professional legal services effective July 1, 2023 (Agenda Item 7)
- Ratification of Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements since December 2022 (Agenda Item 8)
- Approval of process for evaluation of the Executive Director (Agenda Item 11)
The Board of Directors approved two new humanities courses and the 2023-2024 student activity fees. Members also authorized a legal services contract and a new electronic evaluation process for the Executive Director. The Board ratified Foundation reimbursements for three faculty and staff members.
- Approved new courses: Historical Theory and Practice and History of the Byzantine Empire (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023-2024 Student Activity Fees (Unanimous)
- Approved costs for Living Learning Commons (LLC) room damages (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023-2024 contract for professional legal services (Unanimous)
- Ratified Foundation reimbursements for Heather Tichenor, Karn Richoux, and Dr. Steve Horton (Unanimous)
- Approved electronic evaluation process for the Executive Director (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to recognize alumna Hong Chau via letter/note (Unanimous)
- Approved December 5, 2022, and January 20, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)