Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors public meetings in 2025
5 substantive meetings from 2025, 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 vote on the 2026-2027 school calendar, new courses, and a one-time legislative stipend for faculty and staff. The board will also ratify reimbursements for foundation faculty and staff since September 2025.
- Approval of 2026-2027 School Calendar (Exhibit 1)
- Approval of New Courses (Exhibit 1)
- Ratification of Foundation Faculty/Staff Reimbursements since September 2025
- Approval of Legislative One-Time Stipend Distribution Plan for Faculty and Staff (Exhibit 1)
- Public comment invited on agenda items requiring board action
The Board unanimously approved the 2026-2027 academic calendar and a legislative one-time stipend distribution plan for faculty and staff. The Board also approved a new basketball theory course and ratified foundation reimbursements. An executive session was held to discuss litigation strategy regarding Hodge vs. LSMSA.
- Approved 2026-2027 School Calendar (unanimous)
- Approved Legislative One-Time Stipend Distribution Plan for Faculty and Staff (unanimous)
- Approved new course: Basketball Theory with Advanced Technique and Strategy (unanimous)
- Ratified Foundation Faculty/Staff reimbursements since September 15, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved September 15, 2025, meeting minutes with revisions (unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The board will vote on several financial items including the FY26 budget, the FY27 proposed funding formula, and the faculty/staff salary schedule. It will also ratify executive committee actions and approve faculty/staff reimbursements from the LSMSA Foundation. Reports from the executive director, faculty, and division directors are scheduled but require no action.
- Approval of FY26 Budget (requires board action)
- Approval of FY27 Proposed Funding Formula (requires board action)
- Approval of Use of EEF Funds for FY26 (requires board action)
- Approval of Faculty/Staff Salary Schedule (requires board action)
- Ratification of Faculty/Staff Reimbursements from LSMSA Foundation (requires board action)
The Board unanimously approved the FY26 budget, the FY27 proposed funding formula, and a 3% faculty and staff salary step increase. Members also authorized a $301,000 budget for Educator Excellence Fund (EEF) expenditures for FY26.
- Approved June 16, 2025, board minutes (unanimous)
- Approved August 7, 2025, executive committee minutes (unanimous)
- Ratified actions of August 7, 2025, executive committee meeting (approved)
- Ratified faculty/staff reimbursements from LSMSA Foundation (unanimous)
- Approved FY27 Proposed Funding Formula (unanimous)
- Approved $301,000 use of EEF funds for FY26 (unanimous)
- Approved FY26 Budget (unanimous)
- Approved 3% step increase for FY26 faculty/staff salary schedule (unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The Executive Committee approved a legislative audit report with no findings and a new training platform via Vector Solutions. The committee also approved the credentials of a new physics faculty member and a policy allowing students to travel home with limited medication doses. Additionally, the Chair was authorized to form a Search Committee for the Executive Director.
- Approved Legislative Audit Report with no findings (unanimous)
- Approved employee/student training program in Vector (unanimous)
- Approved credentials for new faculty member Faria Mazhandu (unanimous)
- Approved policy revision for possession and delivery of OTC and controlled medications (unanimous)
- Authorized the Chair to form a Search Committee for Executive Director from a list of approved names (unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The LSMSA Board of Directors will vote on credentials for three new faculty members, new course proposals, amendments to the student handbook, the 2025-2026 employee handbook and safety manual, and a record retention policy. They will also ratify changes to an ad hoc committee and hold an executive session to discuss the annual evaluation of the executive director. Reports will be given on the Innovation Park project, student test scores, and division updates.
- Approval of credentials for new faculty Shumate, Boateng, and Villareal
- Approval of new course proposals
- Update on Innovation Park project: March legislative meetings, April architect selection committee
- Ratification of Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements since March 2025
- Approval of 2025-2026 employee handbook and safety manual
The Board approved the credentials of three new faculty members and the addition of two new courses. Members also approved the 2025-2026 Academic and Residential Life Handbook, Employee Handbook, and a new Safety Manual. Additionally, the Board ratified a 'Satisfactory' performance rating for Executive Director Dr. Horton.
- Approved credentials for three new faculty members (unanimous)
- Approved new courses HPE 245 and HP 240 (unanimous)
- Accepted 'Satisfactory' rating for Executive Director Dr. Horton (unanimous)
- Approved 2025-2026 Academic and Residential Life Handbook (unanimous)
- Approved 2025-2026 Employee Handbook (unanimous)
- Approved 2025-2026 Safety Manual (unanimous)
- Approved updated Records Retention Policy (unanimous)
- Ratified LSMSA Foundation faculty/staff reimbursements (unanimous)
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Board of Directors will vote on several items including new courses, changes to graduation requirements, a social media policy, an honorary degree, a revised sabbatical policy, the FY25 EEF budget, student activity fees for 2025-2026, and a contract for professional legal services. They will also ratify foundation reimbursements and discuss sharing student scores with home schools.
- Approval of new courses (Agenda Item 7)
- Approval of changes to LSMSA graduation requirements (Agenda Item 8)
- Approval of revised EEF Budget for FY25 (Agenda Item 12)
- Approval of Student Activity Fees for 2025-2026 AY (Agenda Item 13)
- Approval of Contract for Professional Legal Services, effective July 1, 2025 (Agenda Item 14)
The Board approved several academic updates, including new courses and financial literacy graduation requirements for the Class of 2028. It also authorized a legal services contract and updated policies regarding social media and faculty sabbaticals.
- Approved new courses for 2025-2026 academic year (unanimous)
- Approved adding Financial Literacy requirement for Class of 2028 (unanimous)
- Approved new Social Media Policy (unanimous)
- Approved Honorary Louisiana School Diploma for Sen. Donald Kelly (unanimous)
- Approved revised Sabbatical Policy (unanimous)
- Approved revised FY25 EEF budget requesting $92,000 supplemental appropriation (unanimous)
- Approved 2025-2026 Student Activity Fees ranging from $240 to $310 (unanimous)
- Approved legal services contract with Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah, & Perkins, LLP not to exceed $60,000 (16-0-8)