Terrebonne Parish outlines coach rollout and training; board member cautions on curriculum selection

The Education Technology and Policy Committee received updates on principal supports, literacy training and a plan to reinstitute instructional content leaders (coaches) at six targeted schools.

Tanya Cook, supervisor of secondary education, said the district will publish a monthly principal newsletter with a “curriculum corner,” important dates and guidance on instructional coherence aligned with Louisiana Department of Education expectations. "The March newsletter … addressed instructional coherence and data‑driven instruction using the high quality instructional materials," she said.

Dr. Monica Bridal, assistant superintendent, described the district’s rollout of Lexia: initial implementation trainings in August and October, follow‑up meetings, January staff‑development checkups and March in‑person sessions for principals and district staff. She said the sessions helped staff learn to use Lexia reports to identify student deficits and plan next steps.

Cheryl Degrees, the district’s chief operating officer, outlined a plan to reinstate instructional content leaders as 100% coaches focused solely on instruction. Degrees said the initial phase targets six schools — listed in the district materials as Oak Lawn, Grama Cayenne Middle, Ellinger, Evergreen, Southdown and Trever — with each coach assigned to two schools and expected to spend full days working on instruction. "We developed the job description for them to be 100% coaching… each coach will have two schools," Degrees said. She said coaches will begin training in June and the coaching model will start in the next school year; the roles are set as 190‑day positions and stipends for summer training are built into the plan.

Board member Ford praised elementary efforts but urged caution on curriculum procurement and fidelity requirements. He said districts should involve experienced classroom teachers when selecting high‑quality instructional materials, warning that a curriculum chosen without teacher buy‑in and alignment with testing can create problems for classrooms and student outcomes.

In other business, a board member noted the district’s compliance with Act 676 and distribution of Ten Commandments posters to schools, and a final note reminded members that contract packets will be available before the April 14 board vote.

The committee thanked staff for the updates and closed the item without a committee vote on the coaching plan; staff said they will continue implementation and report back as the plan develops.