BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) convened October 13–14 for its Board retreat, committee meetings, and Board meeting, bringing together education leaders and stakeholders to discuss priorities shaping the future of education in Louisiana.
The two-day series of meetings highlighted outstanding educators and school leaders, celebrated student achievement in mathematics and provided opportunities for discussions on school funding, innovative learning models, artificial intelligence and educational accountability.
Board Retreat Focuses on Innovation and Student Success
On Tuesday, October 13, BESE held its Board retreat at LSU's Burden Museum and Gardens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The retreat provided an opportunity for Board members and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) leadership to engage in discussions on statewide education priorities and emerging opportunities for Louisiana students.
Among the highlights was an informational discussion with Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, focused on artificial intelligence educational innovation and opportunities to support teaching and learning.
Additional discussions included stakeholder engagement, presentations on implementation of the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, learning pods and microschools, key performance indicator (KPI) cycles, proficiency growth, and artificial intelligence initiatives by LDOE.
The retreat emphasized the importance of strengthening educational outcomes while exploring innovative approaches that support students, families, and educators throughout Louisiana.
BESE Recognizes Louisiana's Outstanding Educators and School Leaders
During Wednesday's Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement Committee meeting, BESE recognized the 2027 educators and school leaders whose dedication and leadership continue to make a difference in Louisiana classrooms.
2027 Milken Educator Award
- Sarah Watkins – Stella Worley Middle School, Jefferson Parish
2027 Principal of the Year Finalists
- Chuck Normand – Bunkie Magnet High School, Avoyelles Parish
- Alyshia Coulson – Bellaire Elementary School, Bossier Parish
- Kalandra Watkins Loyd – Vidalia Lower Elementary School, Concordia Parish
- Doll Ann Johnson – Sterlington High School, Ouachita Parish
- Kandice Broussard – North Vermilion Middle School, Vermilion Parish
2027 Principal of the Year Honorees
- Louisiana Elementary Principal of the Year: Casey Cheramie – Raceland Lower Elementary School, Lafourche Parish
- Louisiana Middle School Principal of the Year: Terez LeBlanc – Houma Junior High School, Terrebonne Parish
- Louisiana High School Principal of the Year: Dr. Holly Franks Boffy – W. D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center, Lafayette Parish
- Louisiana State Principal of the Year: Lauren Williams Rentrop – Patterson Junior High School, St. Mary Parish
2027 Teacher of the Year Finalists
- Monica Speyrer – C.E. Byrd High School, Caddo Parish
- Hillary Severin – North DeSoto Upper Elementary School, DeSoto Parish
- Alysa LeBlanc – Milton Elementary School, Lafayette Parish
- Hannah Smith – Belle Chasse Elementary School, Plaquemines Parish
- Misleydis Almeida De La Cruz – Brusly Middle School, West Baton Rouge Parish
2027 Teacher of the Year Honorees
- Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year: Elizabeth Gilfol – Bains Lower Elementary School, West Feliciana Parish
- Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year: Bridget Zerinue – Iberville Math, Science, and Arts (MSA) Academy East, Iberville Parish
- Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year: Kathy Michelle Blaney – Buckeye High School, Rapides Parish
- Louisiana State Teacher of the Year: Alisha Butler – Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, Special School District
- New Teacher of the Year: Katie Weber – Fontainebleau High School, St. Tammany Parish
Additional Education Honorees
- Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Sarah Corley – Louisiana State University at Alexandria Children's Center, Rapides Parish
- Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Jillian Graves – St. Louis Academy Head Start, St. James Parish
- Louisiana Public Interest Fellowship: Kelli White – Mangham High School, Richland Parish
National Board-Certified Teachers
- Martha Lepore – Bossier Parish, Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
- Cristin Wyss – Caddo Parish, Literacy: Reading Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
- Lacey McCarthy – Isidore Newman School, Generalist/Middle Childhood
- Solvei Lassen-Greene – LSU Laboratory School, Generalist/Early Childhood
- Hannah Smith – Plaquemines Parish, Generalist/Middle Childhood
- Kailee Henslee – West Feliciana Parish, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adult Hood
"Louisiana's educators are at the heart of our students' success," said BESE President Ms. Simone Champagne. "The teachers and school leaders recognized today represent the dedication, innovation and commitment that strengthen classrooms across our state. Their work not only changes the lives of students but also helps shape a stronger future for Louisiana."
Celebrating Excellence in Mathematics Achievement
The Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement Committee also highlighted student achievement in mathematics, recognizing school systems for their performance on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) assessments across grades three through high school.
The 12 recognized school systems included Ascension, DeSoto, Lafayette, Lafourche, Lincoln, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. Tammany, Vermilion and West Feliciana parishes, along with Central Community School District and Zachary Community School District.
LDOE also provided an update on foundational mathematics instruction and key performance indicators, supporting ongoing discussions about strengthening mathematics proficiency and monitoring student progress statewide.
Board Examines School Funding and the Minimum Foundation Program
During the Board Administration and Education Finance Committee meeting, representatives from ExcelinEd presented a report examining school funding in relation to Louisiana's Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formula.
The presentation supported the Board's ongoing examination of how education funding is structured and distributed across Louisiana's public-school systems.
As the state's constitutional policymaking body for elementary and secondary education, BESE continues to evaluate funding considerations and their implications for educational opportunities and student achievement.
Charter School Proposals Submitted in Response to the 2026 Mid-Year Charter School Request for Applications (RFA’s)
The School Innovation and Turnaround Committee received overview presentations regarding two BESE-authorized charter school proposals submitted through the 2026 Mid-Year Charter School Request for Applications process.
The proposals included Community Roots Leadership Academy and Louisiana Community and Technical College Charter School, both seeking to operate Type 2 charter schools in East Baton Rouge Parish.
In accordance with Bulletin 126, Charter Schools, the public meeting provided applicants an opportunity to present their proposed school models and allowed members of the public to provide input ahead of the State Superintendent's recommendations.
The presentations were part of BESE's established charter school review process and did not constitute final approval of the applications.
Advancing Louisiana's Education Priorities
"These past two days have been a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made in Louisiana education while looking ahead to the work that remains," said BESE President Ms. Simone Champagne. "From exploring innovative approaches to teaching and learning to recognizing the outstanding educators and school leaders who make a difference every day, our discussions reinforced the importance of keeping students at the center of every decision. As a Board, we remain committed to strengthening academic achievement, expanding educational opportunities and working collaboratively to ensure every Louisiana student has the foundation needed to succeed."
The October meetings reinforced BESE's commitment to supporting effective instruction, recognizing educational excellence, strengthening accountability and expanding opportunities for Louisiana students.
Through continued collaboration with educators, school leaders, families, policymakers and community stakeholders, BESE remains focused on policies and initiatives that promote student achievement and prepare Louisiana students for success in school, college, careers, and beyond.
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About BESE The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is the administrative body for Louisiana’s schools. BESE adopts regulations and enacts policies governing the state’s elementary and secondary schools in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE).