[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6463052,"mediaKeyId","5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6","parentId",5786218,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes, litigation, contracts, stipends, charter motion and expulsions","audioSeconds",6212,"startMs",1270000,"endMs",7482000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6&start=1270&end=7482","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6/thumbnail_1270000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463052/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-litigation-contracts-stipends-charter-motion-and-expulsions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463052-3b23717137ff0f3b3fd603bb99f8143c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916163&Signature=L0K8TwEocv3HyIjapilyBU0LM2s5ei2F6MHpHu1m7xGUGGbdL8B8b--zHw959rTp~SYhMEleKbcgGqL4B9YtmVbJWKczzizm1Bssw7OmOgbCWwPI0dwYdNWS3S~~~zHm1sfz1NSQp5Bf9yln7sb9yENCzdrLcAGEyQw-yzBHUQ4EqmkBJ8A1f7wQf5QHTqjImxbLg4S9gjqObFngKkc94cCLmfvcw-ozNBOJvVKO20~UJOGcb3L~diu~ZaxNh2taNDeurtXNYanbTUUyASEU7UpV4-nEP~tqhrzrIaX4li9zU5-IFbXw-6ITL--xDtqE0FXcAU2OaZuokCfxVKW~xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","EBR School Board, LA","date","2025-09-19T12:33:03Z","article","This \"Votes at a glance\" summary lists formal motions and outcomes recorded during the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board meeting.

1) Approval — Board minutes (Committee of the Whole 08/07/2025 and Regular Meeting 08/21/2025)
Motion: Approve published minutes as presented.
Mover: Mr. Russ. Second: Mr. Martin.
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").
Provenance: agenda minutes approval discussion and voice/machine vote.

2) Litigation — Rhonda Searcy v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board et al. (Suit No. 669329, 19th JDC)
Motion: Approve recommendation from general counsel in the matter noted on the agenda.
Mover: Mr. Martin. Second: Coach Lewis (Mr. Lewis).
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").
Provenance: item labeled \"unfinished business: litigation\"; vote recorded in meeting.

3) Consent agenda — multiple grant and contract items
Motion: Approve consent agenda with routine items, with items g-4 (PCG contract) and g-6 (district stipend) pulled for separate consideration.
Mover: Mr. Martin. Second: Ms. Paul Lewis.
Outcome: Approved for remaining consent items; items 4 and 6 moved to separate votes (see entries below).

4) Professional services contract — Public Consulting Group LLC (g-4)
Motion: Approve contract not to exceed $150,000 for district-wide special education review and implementation support.
Mover: Mr. Martin. Second: Ms. Paul Lewis.
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").

5) District staff stipends — distribution and budget revision (g-6)
Motion: Approve distribution of certificated and support staff stipends for FY 2025–26, schedule payout (including Nov. 17, 2025) and revise Proposition 3 budget to fund stipend.
Mover: Mr. Martin. Second: Ms. Paul Lewis.
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").

6) Motion to suspend rules (charter policy update)
Motion: Suspend the rules to consider a charter policy update on the same night (required unanimous approval).
Mover: Mr. Russ. Second: Mr. Martin.
Outcome: Motion failed (did not achieve required unanimous approval).

7) Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) — International Mezzo Technologies
Motion: Approve ITEP application for International Mezzo Technologies Incorporated (listed investment: $216,368; applicant listed one new direct job on application).
Mover: Mr. Martin. Second: Ms. Soule.
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").

8) Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) — W.R. Grace
Motion: Approve ITEP application for W.R. Grace (listed investment roughly $31.2 million; company representatives described expected job and tax impacts and internship activity).
Mover: Mr. Russ. Second: Ms. Soule.
Outcome: Approved (chair announced \"motion carries\").

9) Student expulsion appeal
Motion: Request to hear an appeal of a student expulsion.
Outcome: Motion to hear failed.

Notes: Several votes were conducted by voice followed by electronic machine votes; transcript indicates machine results posted with occasional brief delays but the chair announced motions as carrying. Exact roll-call machine tallies were not read into the public record in the portions of the transcript provided.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 18 2025, EBR School Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board during the meeting, including results and key details for each motion.","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},6463056,"Park Forest Middle principal outlines gains in attendance, mastery and school culture",801,2074000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6&start=2074&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6/thumbnail_2074000.jpg","/articles/6463056/Louisiana/Park-Forest-Middle-principal-outlines-gains-in-attendance-mastery-and-school-culture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463056-a03f1ebc2209ac400c4a36bda49fe603/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916163&Signature=MWfqFhR4kFNnzvTTZQnV~NhS8i7LvNW2xCScYCT1khwwZcl9aYpguaRIRWFAmz7P-Gldfu62SaiHv6qfGiOIu~G69CB-edlrfQENANwSzuFpO5Af8L1fyhYWi1ayRaQ-aYSbULLFr-XAVKfxiNZeL~XMIiVN~9vIKCyWDG3h1pwaygrXlSOdxq4szsKpCryEA1mBY7OZItMUUVACZpNbOJ7xh3YE62IJEek-t35d3E4QAxHZFQv6t9HHd2yO1d94Q0TGGYiO1bnLR~-cExsltj36zfpYwffDVWYCNwz8tiiCWnBLIM34mefyhdO7s-2K5r5KscOZnzygAO3H2apwMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park Forest Middle School principal Miss Briscoe told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board that the school has adopted the TAP instructional model, increased enrollment from about 450 to 470 students, and implemented multiple changes aimed at boosting student proficiency and school culture.

Briscoe described a focus on agriculture, digital media and engineering; 93-minute instructional blocks with small-group instruction; and a \"mastery tree\" public recognition system for students who meet mastery targets. She reported 84% of students are economically disadvantaged, 67% are African American and 27 students were identified as homeless; the school's assimilated SPS score shown in her presentation was 46.3 and an internal assimilated SPS of 21.0 (district materials cited fluctuation by year). The principal said 55% of the school's lowest-25 students showed measurable growth.

Teachers meet three times each week in data, planning and cluster meetings to analyze assessment results, refine lesson plans and implement coaching and data-driven interventions. Briscoe credited staff buy-in for culture and instructional changes and said the TAP model and consistent coaching cycles are producing observable classroom shifts.

Board members praised the school's direction. \"Don't give up the fight. Challenge the belief gap and move these children forward,\" coach Lewis said during comments. The superintendent encouraged board members to visit and pledged continued district support.","Park Forest Middle School principal reported enrollment growth and instructional changes tied to TAP model implementation, three weekly teacher meetings, expanded STEM and arts programming, and targeted interventions designed to raise the school's state performance score.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":46,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6463061,"Board approves two industrial tax-exemption requests; members seek internship commitments",248,7234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6&start=7234&end=7482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6/thumbnail_7234000.jpg","/articles/6463061/Louisiana/Board-approves-two-industrial-tax-exemption-requests-members-seek-internship-commitments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463061-47bc990e9e11a4ef402de956addab8f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916163&Signature=nxCOS3B-xLz3j-K-yF43ObC-oCH5VgvplZcD44YIogZjivwkzFPo6ezUjNUtND1qTsnvAz03fBYkncDhkKdQRIZIlVaDUNE0KqwTHoAqR3XzJMD3ID-odEUNhP0BKwZ2vAVarA6pfYcYioO9X~9gDhc7LGeIQ4ZeP7T9mOxDTThZJKbsueVXYUVaqimPurI4lND4WVFAXbfnte5zKg3dtOBW94Tg8m7pw5hTRjSz7AGH96M-rJgVRzAx22UAsgUROls8mBxovfcQ89ZEU4m2gIS9RHhIC7MwzqNm6sqA6B6ONZZDH0UWlRn-tPupSCRU~czil6zQDnm1K~NW-h-rnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board approved two industrial tax-exemption applications: one from International Mezzo Technologies (a $216,368 investment in North Baton Rouge) and another from W.R. Grace (roughly $31.2 million in planned investment). Both applications were approved following board discussion and public comment.

For International Mezzo, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber estimated the project would add roughly $28,000 in net revenue to parish taxing bodies over the 20-year life of the abatement; the application listed a one-job net increase and an estimated $216,368 in qualifying machinery and equipment. Board members asked the company representative to return with commitments for student internships; staff noted statutory timelines limit postponement of board action.

W.R. Grace's project is larger: the applicant estimated $3.1 million in returns to local taxing bodies over 20 years (including roughly $635,000 in construction-period sales taxes) and listed roughly 144 existing and new jobs at the site. Company representatives said the expansion provides infrastructure to support future operator and support positions and that they already hire interns and participate in local workforce events. A company product manager said, \"we had three interns this summer,\" and the W.R. Grace team invited board members to talk with district staff about internship and career partnerships.

Motions: the International Mezzo application was moved by Mr. Martin and seconded by Ms. Soule and approved; the W.R. Grace application was moved by Mr. Russ and seconded by Ms. Soule and approved. The chair announced both motions carried after electronic vote confirmation. Several board members stressed that the district would seek internship and training commitments from companies as part of ongoing economic-development partnerships.

","The school board approved industrial tax-exemption (ITEP) applications for International Mezzo Technologies and W.R. Grace, while some board members asked the companies to commit to workforce and internship opportunities for local students.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6463066,"Board approves district staff stipends and schedules distribution dates",118,5887000,6005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6&start=5887&end=6005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6/thumbnail_5887000.jpg","/articles/6463066/Louisiana/Board-approves-district-staff-stipends-and-schedules-distribution-dates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463066-a21d00c10600326c1e800734d63f4cf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916163&Signature=dYPvFZwbhkZWKUxl-nWbi2kw82-Pk-lyUCEi5~SCbhfv~DMGgvVl~ZIIk-swozZHJ-sr4KG~iFl30b8NoJrhlJiLKnTd~TlpKm3-6CuuqtBDQEmsz43KASjwHrIxlF1wh90JIkY6bHRWLFp1Hq861AZ1CmQ35rRrSH2VKMtALdZj9JKxv69SJB3h-IQX0F89P1~8HpZ6~XJuaK3A-j0vlULQvei3rr9iRg5cEjYrI1MMi7WnSpAAmbK7Gf~18D3Pdi82fc4aeMVF2UarxBn19yZ4Vwk-H8d7HQmPJqWqIw7H4bUQj9PdV7Gl9G~mL1BezYiUgW6bnmhJPyfpEFptyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted to approve the distribution of district certificated and support staff stipends for the 2025–26 fiscal year and authorized release of the stipend at the superintendent's discretion with specified dates. The motion, made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Ms. Paul Lewis, specified an October distribution and an additional payment on Nov. 17, 2025, and included a budget revision to Proposition 3 to fund the stipend. The chair announced the motion carries.

District staff told the board that survey responses overwhelmingly favored splitting the stipend into two distributions, one in October and one before the Thanksgiving holiday in November. \"We heard them loud and clear,\" the superintendent said, noting staff and payroll will make support available to employees who have trouble accessing the funds before the holiday.

The board's approval followed questions about implementation timing and a minor technical correction to the motion clarifying the budget revision. No machine vote tally was read aloud in the transcript; the chair confirmed the motion carried after the electronic confirmation delay.

Board members said the stipend is intended to provide teachers an early-year cash infusion to help with expenses and to recognize staff work.","The school board approved certificated and support staff stipends for fiscal year 2025–26 and set distribution timing after staff input and board requests for earlier payout dates.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6463070,"School board approves $150,000 consultant review of special education after parents and teachers raise concerns",1691,4167000,5858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6&start=4167&end=5858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786218-f5ed86e363879f8f8584ce6272fcd7a6/thumbnail_4167000.jpg","/articles/6463070/Louisiana/School-board-approves-150000-consultant-review-of-special-education-after-parents-and-teachers-raise-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463070-73b839b4cc364101ea705be08c3e9798/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916163&Signature=h4XQKFfgUIhDhycWFuz6wLQw3hbiHSuqqmha1M41f-dIQoA4Gc7TlAeAua8Hlb3aZ4IORxq2utsP8hMBHRv8nVZLUgxYgK21zKdFZ0d9rifqN-Unt25MS4c2J4NLvlOx2PUAV4RJwgWETt~htgcsyR01a8dGTv8ebaVdpwD0UqTs1SESYjvIszYlfY77GHe7EE44E2zpYIThl~exTVDUhDoY7mH-lMJrvFtQLx12Ea5RdsQ8qrnktqFMXpBL8~--MkNqiKLJm7-xXAZH7VsLZOu5I92-eUGzPV11R6fUYoZMNTGRwDDyTRIGECpyhWLUVTPMkL8FQjsWlaxMwRq5ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on a voice and machine vote approved a professional services contract with Public Consulting Group (PCG) not to exceed $150,000 to conduct a district-wide special education review and provide implementation support aligned with state monitoring requirements. The motion to approve the contract was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Ms. Paul Lewis; the chair announced the motion carries.

Board members, parents and special-education staff pressed for a comprehensive review during extended discussion and public comment. Donella Washington, a special education teacher at Bella Del Rey Elementary, told the board, \"we are overwhelmed with work because we don't have enough SPED teachers IN OUR SYSTEM.\" Parent Trinetta Williams said monitoring alone is insufficient without \"direct tangible resources, adaptive learning materials specifically designed for children with CVI and multiple disabilities.\"

The superintendent and district officials described recent oversight by a special master and said that PCG will build on that work. Dr. Harris (district official) said the special master audited IEP folders and visited multiple sites but \"did not do a comprehensive review of the entire special education program in EBR,\" and that the PCG contract is intended to provide a full evaluation, recommendations for best practices and help with recruitment and training efforts.

Board members repeatedly cited staffing shortages and the need for certification pathways for special-education teachers. At one point the superintendent reported the district employed 329 ESS teachers as of August 2025 and agreed to provide the number who hold required special-education certification. Several members urged clear key performance indicators and measurable outcomes for the PCG engagement.

Public commenters and board members asked how PCG's work will translate into classroom improvements and how results will be measured. District officials said PCG will deliver an evaluative review, recommend best practices, and provide professional development and coaching that district staff can continue after the consultant's work ends. District staff described using coaching cycles, compliance facilitators, classroom observations and teacher-evaluation rubrics as means to measure progress.

The vote concluded the formal action; board members and staff said they expect the contract to be followed by measurable professional development and implementation steps and to inform the district's response to forthcoming state monitoring.

","The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board approved a contract with Public Consulting Group for a district-wide review of special education and implementation support after public commenters and board members raised concerns about staffing, IEP compliance and service quality.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: minutes, litigation, contracts, stipends, charter motion and expulsions

Park Forest Middle principal outlines gains in attendance, mastery and school culture

Board approves two industrial tax-exemption requests; members seek internship commitments

Board approves district staff stipends and schedules distribution dates

School board approves $150,000 consultant review of special education after parents and teachers raise concerns