[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071631,"mediaKeyId","3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669","parentId",3036965,"title","BESE hears updated LA Gator application figures as lawmakers weigh funding","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",2517000,"endMs",2839000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669&start=2517&end=2839","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669/thumbnail_2517000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071631/Louisiana/BESE-hears-updated-LA-Gator-application-figures-as-lawmakers-weigh-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071631-44f16083999acdc594794ce072902a25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146386&Signature=PHhAOp6BFpzH51Tu173OnkMiSRIZGCfVwpU32ALJK0~TM0JZcNy6Twbv3non4tcur65vQHMYORcaJHtEyLzl0F33GeWb~cN4QAl7smDMCtwbVRjZm6fnN~aLNVo3HIXqI~JCawEtEaHlzDY0XbxGpbKCXjBpSYBRrD5CpVY~mbDYWbwBdSY5Rd3EfMLAh~8poOU~Uf~TIJ~XaEst1bW25yRBHfRTpCOW5nQ3VEltBZeyzDv0amj3HHtVg~IXmuspBE8dG-fP~g0qttQLArUcodm6mjaDbxNRwOjdxC5z4UBjkfiRb5I10pPU5HUf2QAyezQykkEC2tUzzZxmkRlkgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana BESE","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) on April 9 received a progress update on the LA Gator scholarship program as board members pressed officials for a simple fiscal summary to take to the legislature.

Superintendent John Brumley (State Superintendent of Education) said the department is seeing “interest that we're seeing already exceeds the governor's request in the executive budget for $93,000,000,” and directed staff to provide a detailed update for the board.

The update, delivered by Caleb (LDOE Choice team), said about 33,500 applications had been received as of the morning of April 9, with roughly 29,400 applicants deemed eligible, about 1,400 pending review, and approximately 5,600 students currently enrolled in the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP). Of those LSP students, 5,024 — about 91% — had applied to LA Gator. The department said kindergarten applications remain the largest single grade cohort and that roughly 82–83% of applicants are at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline. Caleb also reported 271 approved nonpublic schools and 269 registered service providers enrolled with the program.

Board members asked for clear, one‑page fiscal summaries to use in legislative discussions. Senator Bell asked for a single‑page analysis showing the executive budget request, the number of approved students and the resulting award costs; Caleb said the department will produce that once the application window closes. Senator Appel and other members said they want the same document to show the cost of funding every eligible applicant so legislators can see the full fiscal exposure.

Board members pressed staff on the selection and priority process if appropriations fall short. Caleb said award priority is phase‑based: first LSP students, then students with disabilities and families at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline, then siblings, and finally all other applicants. Within each priority group, order is by application timestamp.

Members also asked about timing for notifying families. Caleb said the department cannot notify families that they will receive funding until the legislature appropriates funds and the governor signs the budget; the department is preparing to notify families about wait‑list standing as soon as practicable and expects final determinations closer to early July. The department reiterated that the current scholarship voucher program legally ends June 30, and emphasized urgency in securing contract and appropriation approvals so schools and families can plan.

Brumley emphasized two implementation priorities: finalizing the vendor contract that will manage accounts and ensuring continuity for currently enrolled LSP students. He noted the board previously approved a vendor contract for platform management using the governor's executive budget assumptions (approximately 11,000 students), creating an “up to” contract amount used for the April JLCB submission.

Several board members asked about next steps. Caleb said the LA Gator application closes April 15, and staff will rank‑order applicants after closure to produce the one‑page fiscal scenarios requested by members. The department will also continue outreach and weekly office hours for schools and families to reduce application confusion.

The board took no binding appropriation decision at this meeting; staff repeatedly emphasized that awards cannot be finalized until legislative appropriation and the governor’s signature.

Members who spoke during the update included Superintendent Brumley, Caleb (LDOE Choice team), Senator Bell, Dr. Armstrong, Senator Appel and Mr. Burke.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/09/2025 BESE Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) on April 9 received an updated LA Gator application tally showing about 33,500 applications (29,400 eligible) and 5,024 Louisiana Scholarship Program students had applied to LA Gator, and members asked staff for a one‑page fiscal summary for lawmakers.","taxTitle","State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",25426,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071622,"BESE recognizes scholarship honorees, Purple Star schools and inaugural alternate leadership boot‑camp completers",793,596000,1389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669&start=596&end=1389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669/thumbnail_596000.jpg","/articles/6071622/Louisiana/BESE-recognizes-scholarship-honorees-Purple-Star-schools-and-inaugural-alternate-leadership-bootcamp-completers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071622-2278d96acd4d45484c6e810074a10b8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146386&Signature=YdnIitGE2oAhVG3njIvhdGGyakYwdBcLk610VJKdWBrmAwgf-aRGfdPo9POCQhqWoOS8l~aZ-mQXSV7lRVwogk5fkGWPRcR1YITY95niRWyIBmRXZzcTSfTpFn0bo74LjFwVUmmT6LP4Q1DtK0muaEPLKKBJVn2V-xWuf-r5hDAvgo3ACEbolxo9TM5kJ~1XDeEPtbFDuO6VEyuRFTfjnMd4J4bNxLRX9Tfm6Ty6P9bL9Ribglfquot8RvQ-vIzo3-E-RCn49SlDSg487cj9byTWyNlDZD9Sg3J6EfVsK7kT6U7B9V4-sqU069tE9-8Yfnx8NupqPg9fwcWot-vsag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 9 formally recognized students, schools and new school leadership candidates in separate agenda items.

Ernie Singleton, assistant superintendent at the Louisiana Department of Education, introduced the United States Senate Youth Program honorees. Singleton said Louisiana sent two student delegates to Washington Week in March 2025 and named Neil Tandon of Jefferson Parish School District (not present) and Emily Jane Nevills of Winn Parish as delegates; two alternates were also chosen. The board made the recognition by motion before inviting honorees for a photo.

The board also recognized 41 Purple Star Schools — a program that honors schools that commit to serving military‑connected students. Singleton said the department created a web page with Interstate Compact resources for military families and listed schools across multiple parishes that received purple star designations between September 2024 and March 2025. Senator Milligan, who carried the bill designating Purple Star Schools, attended the meeting and was thanked by the superintendent.

In a separate presentation, Arthur Jofreon (LDOE) introduced 16 participants who completed the department’s inaugural Education Leader (EDL) alternate pathway boot camp. Jofreon said the pathway is designed for individuals with MBAs, MPAs, JDs or honorably discharged commissioned officers at grade‑3 or higher who seek to enter school leadership. The department hosted the boot camp in January with LDOE mentors assigned; Jofreon listed each participant and their LDOE mentor and invited them for a group photo. Superintendent Brumley encouraged the cohort to “teach kids to read and do math” and urged a focus on foundational instruction.

These recognitions were presented as noncontroversial agenda items and were approved by motion on the consent/recognition calendar during the meeting.","At its April 9 meeting BESE and LDOE recognized United States Senate Youth Program honorees, 41 Purple Star Schools and 16 completers of an alternate pathway school leadership boot camp aimed at expanding principal pipelines.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071626,"BESE and LDOE plan dedicated attendance team, schedule truancy sessions at Teacher Leaders Summit",240,1815000,2055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669&start=1815&end=2055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036965-f722bc9f95538945aa6d7baccf806669/thumbnail_1815000.jpg","/articles/6071626/Louisiana/BESE-and-LDOE-plan-dedicated-attendance-team-schedule-truancy-sessions-at-Teacher-Leaders-Summit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071626-50fd98474597b8a68ecbf02fd27454d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146386&Signature=RQNKVV4tFqfMe0oP1n0b7bb~Pf6ArESzbbIGxe~5xylik90QP3hzPDBPuXSEiUwbjrK62QxdYyYPERRm8Bhwm4tOvNSA0g1ziMF5huDcebIFemVDCXg7wb7PsHjZ1NSessfGqVQ0QI84mN0Pj4EO4vSv08OMpf9BrbhETjnmun4CZbSaG-u-05P7-Cgx0rSV58cJr0yQLN7D4dhiumzo653dguHsTuAmVfyDzhXkbLTYaCMxuCwEYLrwFr3wxG8qwPMKXWSTaJLP3Ruv7iendyWlTQN4p38Sjfo7k1~evhK66QlV8PbdbWfAgQ0vV8mDuaW~EcsJdgUoUnpuhJGDgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members discussed a stepped‑up state effort on attendance and truancy at the April 9 BESE meeting, including a new LDOE team and a series of summit sessions aimed at judicial, district and school leaders.

Dr. Clark (BESE member) introduced the topic, and Superintendent Brumley said the Louisiana Department of Education will form a three‑person team to oversee statewide attendance work and move that work under the operations group “so we can explore additional funding sources.” Dr. Brumley said that shift is intended to bring attendance work closer to budgeting and support.

Dr. Brumley and Dr. Singleton (LDOE) described three sessions on attendance scheduled for Thursday, June 12, the last day of this year’s Teacher Leaders Summit (now set for April 10–12). The sessions will run sequentially, each seating 96 attendees, and will include panels focused on best practices with the judicial system, local attendance teams (a session led with Jefferson Parish), and use of the Families in Need of Services (FINS) program as a tool, with Calcasieu Parish identified as a partner in that session.

Board members thanked staff for convening partners including the governor's Children's Cabinet, judicial representatives and district leaders. Miss Champine praised the cross‑agency coordination and singled out staff leads Sabra Kingdom and others for their work. Several board members noted the complexity of attendance work across 64 parishes and the benefit of dedicating staff time to the effort.

Dr. Brumley said LDOE will provide invites and logistics for the June 12 sessions and keep the board updated on staffing and next steps.

The discussion did not include a formal vote; it was a staff and member report and direction to continue planning.","BESE members and LDOE staff outlined a renewed attendance focus: LDOE will form a three‑person team to oversee attendance work across parishes and BESE will host three truancy sessions on June 12 during the Teacher Leaders Summit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BESE hears updated LA Gator application figures as lawmakers weigh funding

BESE recognizes scholarship honorees, Purple Star schools and inaugural alternate leadership boot‑camp completers

BESE and LDOE plan dedicated attendance team, schedule truancy sessions at Teacher Leaders Summit