Laureate Academy Charter School Board of Directors
Minutes
March Academic Excellence Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Friday March 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Location
Google Meets/Zoom
The matters listed are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair to be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may, in fact, be discussed. Other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. All agenda items are informational unless otherwise denoted, though all committee reports require a vote for acceptance. Unless otherwise stated due to COVDI-19 precautions, the meeting will be held on the campus of the school (2115 Oakmere Drive Harvey, LA 70058)
Committee Members Present
Caitlyn Scales (remote), Claire Heckerman-Whitehead (remote), Dr. Jahquille Ross (remote), Monique Handy (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Dr. Jahquille Ross called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Laureate Academy Charter School Board of Directors to order on Friday Mar 28, 2025 at 10:22 AM.
C.
Approve Minutes
Caitlyn Scales made a motion to approve the minutes from Quarter 3 - Academic Updates on 02-21-25.
Dr. Jahquille Ross seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Teacher Related Updates
A.
Hiring Needs for 25-26 School Year
- 3 Academic Deans for next year
- Making progress on hiring for the upcoming school year
B.
End of Year Staff Survey
- HR NOLA will construct and send out to the staff.
- Will provide data to incoming principal and leadership team.
- Plan for the priorities for the 25-26 school year.
III. Principal Search Update
A.
Process & Timeline
- Identiyfing candidates for the next round.
- Want to identify at least 2-3 individuals for the top running.
- Review and provide feedback on the final interview score card.
- Script of questions for the interview and who will ask them. Consultant will provide.
- The individuals on the panel will send available time for scheduling 90 minute conversations.
B.
What is Next?
- Board member mentioned to have panel individuals review artifacts before hosting a call.
- One candidate is visiting campus next Tuesday.
- Claire is scheduling calls next week with some candidates as they move through the process.
IV. Student Assessment Data
A.
DIBELS - PreK - 3rd
- Progress monitoring is taking place weekly for student in Yellow and Red.
- Next year, we could do PLCs for teachers to drive the strategy to increase DIBELS scores.
B.
ANET Benchmark Testing
- Math remained the same from Quarter 2 to Quarter 3.
- Examining the percentage of mastery for certain standards that appear heavily on the LEAP assessment.
- Identifying students who are close to certain benchmark scores for extra support.
- Will use this data to make LEAP projections for both ELA & Math.
C.
Past Spring Test Testing
- ELPT and LEAP Connect testing took place already. Went smooth. Waiting on the data.
D.
LEAP 2025 Testing Schedule
- Testing starts on April 29th
- LEAP Blitz happening for the upcoming 3 weeks leading up to testing.
- Pep Rallies to build up excitement for testing - DIBELS & LEAP.
V. Other
A.
External Support & Coaching
- ANET is necessary. Most helpful tool. Coach through ANET has been effective and instructionally sound support.
- Support needs to be targeted for certain content and focus areas on campus. Clear goals and boundaries are needed.
- Figure out leadership component first and then strategize on the supports.
B.
School Culture Data
- 97% for attendance.
- About 70 out of school suspensions, so far.
- Needing to enforce school wide policy.
C.
25-26 School Year Calendar
- Board members provided edits.
- Assessment calendar should be created in part with the school year calendar.
D.
Leadership Retreat
- Network team leadership retreat in June.
- Then, principal will take lead on creating a retreat for the school leadership team in July.
- Board can provide lunch for the leadership team and staff when returning to campus.
VI. Idenification of Next Steps
A.
Decide on Next Meeting Date
- Next meeting date - Thursday, May 1st
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 11:52 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Caitlyn Scales