[{"_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",6164862,"mediaKeyId","5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef","parentId",5426729,"title","Superintendent outlines readiness plan: master schedules, staffing gaps and new transportation collection sites ahead of school year","audioSeconds",882,"startMs",1276000,"endMs",2158000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef&start=1276&end=2158","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef/thumbnail_1276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164862/Louisiana/Superintendent-outlines-readiness-plan-master-schedules-staffing-gaps-and-new-transportation-collection-sites-ahead-of-school-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164862-d0fd56d5370ad1e58340db5f4265f91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1779013913&Signature=b5pl05a6B3RpbpWA2UjujD0zHlwrzlhbUJ6V4GIBZcij0JO51ZIevfPV0M8oHaWRPTPmqgy2FMQCFMZ9lkeChFs3H2SKKn95ZOx3LUZM5Le5v-P0oYhH2BDKsQIIQDAZlm7PpwTlqtXRYw6Pmmwku~dLtzPK3h8LokdGy0qQxgRaHDslmARJYqubN-2j1uKOD~KBouO0uZCOvgYfxtmwrEgV0ETFidLfQ2hy7tCDczhGW-Lft-WGZoe-yad201D84dZVgdWghaA71By6agRYv7zJ9YbkG36gXsSjGWZQ6zRuhZzUNCumgLLauG~Fe7UXR8gi8ev3YP7R6em7gEvDPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Baton Rouge Parish School District","date","2025-07-18T11:57:29Z","article","Superintendent Cole told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on July 17 that East Baton Rouge schools are preparing for the 2025–26 school year with a focus on operational readiness, completing master schedules, and targeted supports for seniors.

“All master schedules are expected to be finalized by July 23,” Superintendent Cole said during his update, and he reported that school-level master scheduling was about 85% complete districtwide. He urged families to enroll students promptly so schools can finalize schedules before the first day.

The superintendent summarized several operational items that affect families and school leaders: 18 of 21 planned school moves tied to district realignment had occurred; the district’s public realignment dashboard showed 77% of required tasks complete with another 22% on time; facilities cleaning and site upgrades were in progress; and a new Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts will reopen at its Acadian Drive location pending final walkthroughs.

Staffing and vacancies

Superintendent Cole said the district’s instructional and support staff was 96% staffed with 161 vacancies remaining and 18 days before school start; he added that 104 of the vacancies were teaching positions. Realignment schools were staffed at about 91% with 49 teacher vacancies across those zones. The office of human resources hosted a mid-summer job fair on July 15 with more than 150 attendees and continues targeted hiring efforts.

College and accountability

High school counselors return July 21 to audit senior transcripts and prepare individualized graduation plans, Cole said, noting, “We want to ensure all of our seniors who enter on the first day as a senior student is able to graduate on time and walk across the stage with their peers.” He also said LEAP assessment reports were released earlier in the month and that staff will present district and state LEAP results at the board’s August Committee of the Whole and regular August meeting, along with a briefing on changes to the accountability model.

Start-time pilot, transportation and enrollment

Six district schools — Mary Rose Capital Elementary, Capital High, Meridale (sic), Glen Oaks Park, and Glen Oaks High School — were named as phase 1 sites for a school start-time initiative, and community conversations are being scheduled. The superintendent said more than 700 families had responded to the transportation opt-out survey, and staff established three new bus collection sites to reduce travel time for student commutes. Cole said the district is working with partners to add another collection site for families in the Southeast region.

Facilities and realignment

Cole said site moves are scheduled to finish by July 23 and that summer cleaning is complete at more than half of the schools, with the remainder to be finalized by July 22. He thanked facilities staff and partners for their work on moves and rebranding projects connected to district realignment.

Next steps and reporting

Superintendent Cole said staff will return to the board with detailed LEAP data and a joint presentation on the new accountability model in August. He also told the board that staff will continue targeted hiring efforts and provide updates to ensure class schedules and staffing are in place for the start of school.

Quote on preparation

“Preparation is just not about logistic, it's about reestablishing our standards and defines who we are and what we expect from our students and staff,” Superintendent Cole said in the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 17 2025, EBR School Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Cole told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board that most master schedules are nearly finished, the district is 96% staffed overall but still has more than 100 teacher vacancies, and new bus collection sites and a school start-time pilot are being prepared for 2025–26.","taxTitle","East Baton Rouge Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",14463,"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},6164868,"Board rejects $786,385 BRYC contract for ACT prep and advising after boardwide debate",2480,4513000,6993000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef&start=4513&end=6993","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef/thumbnail_4513000.jpg","/articles/6164868/Louisiana/Board-rejects-786385-BRYC-contract-for-ACT-prep-and-advising-after-boardwide-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164868-ab045ba48c7505ff825c9f487b6852eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1779013913&Signature=miZjMO6jQ7~ZSG1zLBOuiJqxsLucE7pkKHg2nAhcZeH09IiTUzcK9i-hfLIp~DVSp44oCzPkykSap5qnnJnMsWLuGxuXtYVzTk-AGFbubFp5HaEwU-KuL7FY09461cdqrMFiOJQyCKJwnHOSju2xt8Pt5HdPOcfXFSORIAg~vHBhj2yu9W9IKGnc8GX3hB5lDcnColwnOZgQaXFE8y9umN1rEe8CMLuRSVrfvZ7BHZkxvn-b4rdcwUzPH-J~2K3jTVVEDpTFQM5JThecze8S9UZTukTjiIWsI~5o5EwxdAR~fdIvSy339ueomFimRzcRcuy6Mm5D2rL9D4~PU1TVgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted down a $786,385 contract with BRYC on July 17 that would have funded ACT preparation electives across 10 high schools, post-secondary advising for seniors and quarterly professional development for staff.

The superintendent recommended the contract using supplemental course allocation (SCA) funds earmarked for such services. The contract materials in the board packet described a program delivering ACT prep electives for approximately 220 juniors, advising for about 1,380 seniors not enrolled in an existing capstone course and access to digital resources and diagnostic testing tools.

Supporters said BRYC (listed in board materials as the vendor) provides services the district is not presently staffed to offer at scale. \"We are not equipped to provide to our students the level of service that BRYC is currently providing to our students,\" Superintendent Cole said of the administration's recommendation. Mr. Russell and other backers argued the contract uses state-allocated SCA funds rather than general fund dollars and would reach under-resourced students who otherwise lack access to college counseling.

Opponents said the district should explore internal options and a competitive procurement process rather than repeatedly funding a single outside provider. \"We shouldn't be the major funder,\" said Mr. Lanus, who argued the district should develop an internal program or use an RFP so multiple vendors can compete. Board members also raised timing concerns about approving an expensive program days before school starts.

Board members proposed multiple procedural paths: approve the contract for this year and plan a wider budget and procurement review in the fall retreat; or defer to allow open competition and further information. The motion to approve the BRYC contract was moved by Mr. Beaulieu and seconded by Mr. Martin but failed on the board vote.

Key contract details and constraints

The administration described the funding as SCA (supplemental course allocation) money that is earmarked for specific purposes and cannot be converted to general staffing. Superintendent Cole said the district is not fully staffed for the start of the school year and that converting SCA funds into staff positions would not meet the grant rules and could not be done immediately.

Board counsel confirmed that if the item fails tonight, the board could revisit it later but that bringing it back might require a two-thirds vote under board procedures. Several members said they want a broader conversation at the board's fall work sessions or retreat about how external-partner dollars should be allocated and whether funding should be centralized as district budget categories then distributed through competitive selection.

Outcome and next steps

The motion to approve the BRYC contract failed; no approval was recorded. The superintendent said staff can continue conversations with BRYC and other potential providers, and several board members asked staff to develop options for competitive procurement and for internal capacity-building that could be considered for 2026–27 planning.","A proposed $786,385 contract with BRYC to deliver ACT preparation, senior advising and district professional development failed after board members argued about funding sources, timing and whether services should be produced internally or competitively procured.",{"_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},6164872,"School board declines $445,000 Kids Orchestra contract after debate over funding fairness",1442,3049000,4491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef&start=3049&end=4491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426729-976052f64308675ecdaebc8c6e1314ef/thumbnail_3049000.jpg","/articles/6164872/Louisiana/School-board-declines-445000-Kids-Orchestra-contract-after-debate-over-funding-fairness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164872-5e6899b5576a348e64174e933773b110/orig.mp4?Expires=1779013913&Signature=Lle60Lp5pBMLi395QRF2MpGKCmmu5e2KoNQ7N5c~mYjiTpJ~XD9YDXSkNiUOfpwPt6INXy9wZJowhjyOcR-tzQd6bWKQlP2rgsXlk38GaatdmafVkWn7sgvFER3UquMIuJ6Vmpx~rHw4tMDkg1d~6wWuGkY~geH46CaovyDerRTGb~Y257zCkWdarRNy-bKZdhgxkNTZTl-TF3MF3ccbpFAgB-KlTC9iC6Tab~Dvo-Ov-ZY5wOyRJ1hHZCcI8Hv8Xae3xnNGMpnxbJCaa6lE3zevdFM3y4BqHaz5g77oGjs4fr-uG0nJa1Xa64Nt822M93TZ4BPgfxvEWUpQDif0Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on July 17 defeated a motion to approve a $445,000 professional services contract with Kids Orchestra to provide an after-school orchestra program for the 2025–26 school year.

The item drew sustained debate after board members removed it from the consent agenda for separate consideration. The superintendent had recommended the contract, which the administration listed with funding from the general fund and Title IV sources.

Board members said they support arts programming but differed sharply on whether the district should repeatedly fund the same outside nonprofit. \"We're not your funders,\" said Coach Cliff Lewis, a board member who argued the contract represents poor stewardship if it becomes an annual reliance. Several members called for a more open request-for-proposals (RFP) process or clearer expectations that nonprofit partners bring matching fundraising. \"If we're gonna do this every year inside of our budget, this is gonna present a huge problem for us,\" said Mr. Landis.

Other members pushed back that delaying or denying the contract at the start of the school year could disrupt services for students. \"I don't think now is the time or the place to be able to do this right now,\" said Vice President Godet, who said pulling the program now would likely prevent it from serving students this year. Mr. Russ and other supporters said the administration recommended the contract after vetting, and that the program serves students in under-resourced neighborhoods.

The board previously had a unanimous Committee of the Whole recommendation to move the contract to the full board for approval. After public debate and board comments, the motion to approve the Kids Orchestra contract failed on a board vote.

Discussion points included whether the district should (1) fund the same nonprofit organizations year after year; (2) require partner organizations to demonstrate additional fundraising or cost-sharing; and (3) use a competitive procurement or grant process to allocate service dollars. Attorney Gwen Shamblin noted a procedural constraint discussed on the record: if the item fails, bringing it back for approval may require a two-thirds board vote and attendant timing considerations.

The superintendent said staff would continue discussions with community partners and that items declined tonight could be revisited at a later meeting if the board so directs.

Board actions and next steps

The motion to approve the Kids Orchestra professional services contract, moved by Mr. Martin, did not pass; the board record shows the motion failed and no formal approval was recorded. The board removed the item from the consent agenda for separate consideration before the vote.

The superintendent and several board members asked for a broader conversation about a fair, transparent process for external partner funding and whether and how to embed programming internally. Some members requested that staff return with alternatives and with a plan for competitive selection in future budget cycles.","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted down a $445,000 contract for Kids Orchestra after members raised concerns about recurring funding to single nonprofits, procurement fairness and budget stewardship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent outlines readiness plan: master schedules, staffing gaps and new transportation collection sites ahead of school year

Board rejects $786,385 BRYC contract for ACT prep and advising after boardwide debate

School board declines $445,000 Kids Orchestra contract after debate over funding fairness