Kenney Courville

The Allen Parish School Board Literacy Plan for 2025-2026 aims to raise literacy achievement from birth to graduation by fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and social-emotional development. It focuses on building strong reading foundational skills, using complex texts, and integrating literacy across the curriculum. The plan includes goals for student and teacher development, emphasizes high-quality curriculum implementation, and promotes family and community involvement to support literacy growth.

The meeting included recognition of Mr. Isaac Nichols for his years of service, the Pre-K Teacher of the Year, the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year, the Early Childhood Performance Profiles, the Allen Parish Community Network Lead Agency Partners, and Marjorie Taylor from the Rapides Foundation. The board addressed financial matters, including the General Fund financial statement and the adoption of professional staff and support salary schedules. They approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to execute the amendment of the Education Excellence Grant and contracts with the Rapides Foundation for participation in the Healthy Behaviors School District Partnership Grant, the Youth Volunteer School District Grant, and the Effective Schools Grant. Additionally, they accepted a bid from the Oakdale Journal for the official journal, approved the Personnel Evaluation Plan, Budget Revisions, and revisions to employee attendance and promotion policies. The Superintendent's report was also presented.

The meeting included discussions on the Regional Special Olympics, a community meeting with training on IXL online assessments, and a presentation on Allen Parish students' academic performance comparing special education and regular education. There was discussion regarding intervention plans, after-school opportunities, and incentives for special education students. The meeting also touched on the percentage of uncertified special education staff, the role of core instruction, and the support from Modern Woodman. Tentative dates for future SEAC meetings were announced, and there was encouragement to join the Family Engagement Team. The possibility of posting data on the parish website and Facebook was discussed, along with the need to reapply for SEAC members serving for two years.

The SEAC meeting covered a range of topics including a review of the Annual SEAC Report, quorum requirements, meeting dates, handbook revisions, and member terms. Support provided by the Bailey Group to schools was also discussed. New business included teacher teaming for new teacher support, workshops by the Bailey Group, teacher certification timelines, and the qualifications of special education teachers. The meeting also addressed the implementation of ABA strategies, coordination of services for students receiving external services, itinerant teacher assignments, the Autism Conference, Special Olympics, and Esports. Discussions also focused on inclusion, reverse inclusion, summer school considerations for special education students, credit recovery, and changes to prior notice procedures for parents.

The SEAC meeting covered discussions and presentations related to the IXL program, its implementation, and its impact on students, particularly those with special education needs. Topics included the need for teacher training on IXL, the program's alignment with curriculum standards, and its use for diagnostics and progress tracking. There was also discussion about the potential for parent training on IXL, community meetings, and the use of technology to improve communication and accessibility of information for parents. Additional points covered included budget reviews, concerns about equipment for students with visual impairments, and the application of Roberts Rules of Order for SEAC meetings.