The Allen Parish School Board adopted its school calendar for the 2023-24 school year, authorized the board president to begin a search for a new superintendent and reviewed upcoming testing.
The new school calender sets the first day of school as Thursday, August 10. Teachers will report to work August 7, to August 10. The last day of the school year for students will be Wednesday, May 22, 2024, and Thursday, May 23, for teachers.
Superintendent Kent Reed said 6.5 bank or emergency days have been scheduled in this calender. Students will start Christmas break on Friday, December 22, since Christmas falls on a Monday. He said there will be four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas instead of the three weeks due to the way the days fall on the calendar.
Reed said Fair Day for the parish will be Friday, November 17, but it is not set in stone since they were still finalizing the Allen Parish Fair. Tentatively it is scheduled for November 15 to 18.
For 11 and 12-month employees, the board added Juneteenth as a holiday.
The board gave its president permission to begin searching for a new superintendent. Board member Greg Monceaux teased the retiring Kent Reed stating he made the motion unless by next month Reed changed his mind. The board learned the application process for the superintendent’s position would continue until April 20. On May 1, interviews would begin. If a second round of interviews is required, they would be held on May 4. The board wants to make a decision at its May 8, meeting, so the new superintendent can work alongside Reed.
Brad Soileau, instructional supervisor secondary and assessment, Title III, gave an update on testing in the parish. He said the English Language, Work Keys and Leap Connect are in the process of being completed. ACT is underway with Kinder and Oberlin testing last week and Fairview, Oakdale, Reeves and Elizabeth finishing this week.
“I’m anxious to see the results,” Soileau said as he explained the district put a lot of effort into the ACT testing with preparatory materials, etc.
He said LEAP would be April 25, to May 26, for third to eighth graders, and April 18, to May 24, for high school.
Kim Rider also discussed the growing AHEC program and increased number of applications. She said both hospitals, one in Kinder and one in Oakdale, will participate in the program. She said there are 35 applicants and each hospital will choose 10 to 12 candidates. They will volunteer 90 hours.
In other action, the board:
•Congratulated Carlee Marie Pitre on her selection as Grade Eight finalist for Region Seven in the Louisiana Student of the Year Program.
•Learned the state has chosen to highlight the Allen Parish Literacy Program in a video.
•Learned Bridget Craft, supervisor of personnel and school improvement, was recruiting and retaining educators for the next school year.
•Learned a pilot program known as E-Sports will be introduced at Oberlin High. The program will use technology and electronics like video games for educational purposes.
•Heard Wednesday, March 15, was the end of the third nine weeks, and report cards would be issued Monday, March 20.
•Congratulated Oakdale High School Girls Basketball team for winning the state championship in Division IV Non-Select.
•Approved a rate increase of $2.50 per route for substitute bus paras, effective April 1.
•Approved an out-of-state trip for Reeves ELA class to attend a production of Call of the Wild on March 21.
•Declared a surplus a 2003 Blue Bird bus and will advertise for bids.
•Heard from Jennifer Miller with Partners in Children’s Safety of Lake Charles Inc. Her program would introduce workshops highlighting children’s safety while teaching them skills of what to do, who to speak to, etc.