Board approves MOU with Southeastern for university lab school amid equity concerns

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board voted to authorize the superintendent to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Southeastern Louisiana University to memorialize cooperation on the Southeastern Louisiana University Laboratory School.

Board member Mister Duncan moved to approve the MOU and Mister Piazza seconded the motion. After public comment and extended board discussion about admissions, tuition and diversity, the motion passed; the board recorded two no votes, by Mister Moore and Miss Richards.

The MOU updates an existing agreement and "memorializes the relationship" between the district and Southeastern, according to district staff. District staff said the lab school is operated by Southeastern and that Southeastern determines enrollment, slots and tuition; Tangipahoa Parish School System (TPSS) provides certain staff and assists Southeastern in receiving state per‑pupil (MFP) funding because Southeastern does not operate in the district's facilities.

Several board members and a speaker at public comment questioned how slots are allocated and whether tuition or geographic limits restrict access for lower‑income families. A lengthy comment from Mister Moore raised concerns that the lab school's admissions and tuition practices "mitigate equal and equitable access" and could perpetuate vestiges of segregation; he asked for documentation of the lab school's stated benefits and for evidence that practices and research from the lab school are shared across the parish's schools.

Mister Duncan told the board the lab school operates under a state statute that defines laboratory schools as public schools and authorizes tuition and governance provisions; he said TPSS's role is primarily to act as a pass‑through for state dollars and to support the partnership. "This is the second time we've done an agreement with the lab school," Duncan said, noting the system benefits from partnerships such as a residency program.

District staff and other board members said Southeastern has a diversity commitment in the agreement, including maintaining minority composition at no less than 30% and giving sibling preference and proximity considerations. Board members urged staff to request more detailed information from Southeastern on selection criteria, radius, tuition waiver policies and how lab school practices are shared with other district schools.

Public comment included calls for transparency and documentation. Mister Brian Young, a resident, urged the board to "stand up for your teachers and your students" in a separate public comment segment that preceded the MOU discussion; others questioned the lab school's selection process and possible tuition requirements.

The motion to authorize the superintendent to execute the MOU passed with two no votes; board minutes record the motion as passing with Mister Moore and Miss Richards voting no.