Charles Lussier

3 weeks ago | theadvocate.com | Charles Lussier

As in years past, June is a busy month for East Baton Rouge Parish school leaders as they race to take advantage of empty buildings to get schools ready for the new school year starting in August. Unlike in the past, district spending plans for the new year are largely complete. After a short presentation, hardly anyone said anything. No members of the public spoke, and only two submitted online comments. It is a contrast to the contentious debates that have dogged many past budget cycles.

3 weeks ago | theadvocate.com | Charles Lussier

Six public schools that serve much of north Baton Rouge are poised to institute new start times this fall, piloting a potentially districtwide initiative to better match when children learn with research on their sleeping patterns. Capitol and Glen Oaks high schools would start at 8:50 a.m., 100 minutes later than they do now, and end at 4:05 p.m. Both are F-rated schools with high rates of student absenteeism.

3 weeks ago | theadvocate.com | Charles Lussier

One of the two bills that would create a school district to match the city of St. George cleared the Louisiana House Wednesday after the authors addressed concerns of a key Baton Rouge lawmaker, particularly over legacy costs associated with the breakaway.

3 weeks ago | theadvocate.com | Charles Lussier

Federal education officials have put the brakes on a $13.2 million grant to three Baton Rouge public schools to help them increase their socioeconomic and racial diversity. The East Baton Rouge Parish school system is completing the second year of the five-year grant and currently has nine employees whose salaries are covered by the funding.

1 month ago | theadvocate.com | Charles Lussier

Public school employees in East Baton Rouge Parish earned a substantial pay raise last year. District Superintendent LaMont Cole is not ready to find money for another one, but next year may be a different matter. That approach is outlined in the proposed budget for the state’s second-largest traditional school district.