[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6382191,"mediaKeyId","2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff","parentId",2127502,"title","Retiree and board members praise passage of Social Security Fairness Act; district retirees to watch for retroactive payments","audioSeconds",337,"startMs",1226000,"endMs",1563000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff&start=1226&end=1563","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382191/Louisiana/Retiree-and-board-members-praise-passage-of-Social-Security-Fairness-Act-district-retirees-to-watch-for-retroactive-payments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382191-61be93b4b5c71f58f47f6b9dd25baa4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152129&Signature=TJSdcUAlllDfaEvSjqV8zY0xoeMuneMsP7LI60jYibSXBG2bvsQ5L8Nw~~0jhOjFFdjQId1tgc9mfVkjNdAarw4sqECzJNc1mecW20TwQFEJRvAh-SzzEaWt00C2VbNjh8seQjFniJPaQeYN3hGTeh2qxkDJJ763~DPpzh6xNGffpJBYe8q3LUN4BQj88VVvwpAR4auW~IsLcxDQvy~QLOi5GOfUoh1KxNKC3s7wmUNkgDce5hCkuLDmdHBlrkNeTK6x78ORWeKVG1wIKjVL9gFnuB0NaCgvdshWhmHgT135X5vOxj97~SuVEOzYOpbd9i2Oi3cFWZObK~4cy45fUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-18T00:47:52.347Z","article","Jack Loop, a district retiree attending the meeting, told board members he had helped advocate for passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which changes the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) rules that had reduced Social Security benefits for certain public employees.

Loop described the long effort and said the House and Senate votes reflected bipartisan support after multiple attempted amendments were defeated. He thanked local advocates and organizational partners who lobbied in Washington, D.C.

Board President Green told the group he had spoken with staff in Senator Kennedy’s office and had been told, as of his conversation, that any payments would be retroactive to when the bill was introduced in 2023 and that affected retirees should expect retroactive payments for 2024 when distributions are made.

Several board members — including Mr. Breaux and Mr. Cousan — spoke about local impacts and thanked Loop and other advocates for their work. Board members noted the board had sent a resolution to Congress supporting the issue and had endorsed the change.

No formal board action was recorded on the Social Security matter during the meeting; board members described the item as a community recognition and celebration of federal legislation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","STPPS Board Meeting – 1/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","A retired board member and several board members discussed the Social Security Fairness Act during visitor recognition; commenters credited advocacy for passage and said retroactive payments are expected to be issued for 2024.","taxTitle","St. Tammany Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",13133,"location","Louisiana","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382196,"Mandeville High quiz bowl team qualifies for nationals; coach and students honored at board meeting",649,2236000,2885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff&start=2236&end=2885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff/thumbnail_2236000.jpg","/articles/6382196/Louisiana/Mandeville-High-quiz-bowl-team-qualifies-for-nationals-coach-and-students-honored-at-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382196-abe81232f564fc5707744b0002541a28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152129&Signature=fo66Ajb4KjOkTLsLXxcdDvF-ZktVv5odRsm1LvmAypyQja5h7iAO1gQO0kJJouqwGq3C7~A3RQuqIBQ2BZY9UGkNO9-fIZ1edlvODfWfC4NfvTIfbFsPWxPZ--qG0swLpzo-cdtU46dl4ycrCiqmVbxyTE4B45mnXJ9MftcEKiN6BSrC4oS6iTUG8anNLDRTY53yfn0-3njYPmmAM6gTGpED6cyuq2E~fuAx3loCpsATdWKIuTBzUfuU~ECHVI9P6lhUCvFB8LG0HfU3Oz3n5CpNX0OSUZmzP2oX0DJM5Btb9JaMpMjPrEJObajEahA-BxoyG2Z~pG~hUewCdWRgSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coach Jason Bordelon told the School Board that Mandeville High School’s quiz bowl team, revitalized three years ago, qualified for the national competition for the first time in decades.

Bordelon said the team grew from four original members to roughly 17 and that members have consistently placed near the top in local and regional tournaments. The coach credited administrators, parents and volunteer staff for supporting the program.

“We have about 17 members now,” Bordelon said. “These kids behind me started off as novices with no experience… in just 3 years, we’ve grown from that to qualifying for nationals.”

Student leaders Aditiya Babar (vice president) and Logan Penton (president, original member) told the board the experience has been transformational, building competitiveness and communication skills. Bordelon highlighted the team’s academic performance, saying the group has an average weighted GPA of 4.5 and an average ACT score of 32.

Board members congratulated the team and wished them luck at nationals in Atlanta in May.","Coach Jason Bordelon and student captains told the School Board the revived Mandeville High quiz bowl team grew from four members to about 17 in three years and qualified for nationals; the team reported a weighted GPA average of 4.5 and average ACT 32.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382200,"Votes at a glance: St. Tammany School Board approves minutes, retirements and two construction bids",680,3090000,3770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff&start=3090&end=3770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff/thumbnail_3090000.jpg","/articles/6382200/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-St-Tammany-School-Board-approves-minutes-retirements-and-two-construction-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382200-779a87b658b5316171841f3b37767afd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152129&Signature=GzOFlIuaPxmRaNNslrxSN9LKHQEGX9HMJ-AexVM48qI1i4eUWZ7ZAy56AfL0QhL9foS~HiHIJ2K353zlFSEr1MnZ16uzy6UY~y1~gXHFCUYIkNFbqBwzqCnBxWsY35gsRaRgjyG670gJkCfpud5AtBdycbyeChLn9yroyV97Rk6Kt83w8iLnnNzKcEIZYK-wUHny4AZDuqsjZXTgADb~ro1o1eN377SXol7yuFfNVzD6nQ9zAAmscUGeKFT6ALQom38p-GzOJ4ZdgZbQoIOj~g2qd64eL9-q~h9~UJZ2WbuLPzCDPpOoL8WFWx0SgdIJpACpwqBIvvShSKPiGf79fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Jan. 16 meeting the St. Tammany Parish School Board approved several routine agenda items by unanimous votes.

Key outcomes:
- Approval of minutes from the regular meeting held Dec. 12, 2024 — motion carried unanimously.
- Retirement resolutions for certificated personnel (10 retirees; combined service listed by district staff) — motion carried unanimously.
- Retirement resolutions for support personnel (number and combined years reported by staff) — motion carried unanimously.
- Acceptance of low base bid from CDX Construction LLC for a walk‑in cooler/freezer at Folsom Elementary — $290,000; motion carried unanimously.
- Acceptance of low base bid from Spartan Building Corporation for renovation of the Consumer Science ProStart classroom at Covington High School — $657,000; motion carried unanimously.

Board staff presented the retirements and the bids; board members offered brief thanks to retirees and comments of support for the projects. The motions were routine and carried without recorded opposition.

Details and totals provided by staff included a combined 288.62 years for certificated retirements (10 individuals) and 297.39 years for support retirements (number of retirees noted in staff report).","The board voted unanimously on routine agenda items including approval of minutes, certified and support personnel retirement resolutions, and two construction bids; amounts and vote outcomes are listed below.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382205,"St. Tammany board adopts superintendent evaluation tied to strategic plan after months of debate",1655,3743000,5398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff&start=3743&end=5398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff/thumbnail_3743000.jpg","/articles/6382205/Louisiana/St-Tammany-board-adopts-superintendent-evaluation-tied-to-strategic-plan-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382205-294a0499d44d2594cf7acc717457707a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152129&Signature=d0zt7KrDLp~gsvp8vCHqVVeUiw3W3yddqKZPEF7wW6i2hK8Of30ch2DYErd5gFxidbnf0IqEndfW9w0Gh8Zr~LD1OqVMfQP0szwVStA3wu-1okUBwSGf3zsxsHXrx8krde67raJ1hLmZB7eP7CgJS6WcwRjw3bL~9jngx~29CZVfeFVawss769owS-rCNuXpqftnBsIT0AGF4mKtIX9ySJjfk-Cheb3cx8PDpzdrs24ngeWbpdqlMviukx1lSN1L98LOHpGxMC9CnLJMYZwXJOzRyZNWA8Ig~jSON8Vy8dXZwW1IMmR2tEoU8F5IStCxjQyeWkZ4tL3IDXoeXAENaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Tammany Parish School Board approved a revised superintendent evaluation instrument that ties the superintendent’s annual assessment to the district’s five‑year strategic plan.

The board adopted the instrument after public comment and extended discussion among members. The motion to accept the revised instrument was moved by Miss McCollum; the final vote carried with 12 yeas and 1 abstention.

Supporters on the board said the instrument was built to match the strategic plan and to create measurable yearly goals derived from a five‑year trajectory. Miss McCollum and Miss Baker, who led the effort, said the evaluation is intended to be a living document that will be revised annually and used to measure short‑term progress toward longer strategic goals.

Several public commenters and the St. Tammany Federation raised objections. Brent Osborne, Federation president, urged the board to “reevaluate the management restructure” and questioned whether the district’s public presentations had been sufficiently transparent about declining academic rankings. Robert Broom, an audience member, recommended editorial clarifications to specific evaluation elements and flagged wording in element 1.6 as unclear.

Lee Barrios, a retired teacher who spoke during public comment, urged care in selecting measurable indicators, saying some survey‑based items — for example, those measuring student mental‑health outcomes — may be difficult to use as superintendent performance measures.

Board members acknowledged the feedback and said there were multiple prior opportunities for input: they described the instrument as matching a strategic plan developed with outside consultants and community surveys and noted that state guidance from the Louisiana School Boards Association recommends aligning superintendent evaluations with a strategic plan.

Miss Hurstis announced she would abstain prior to the vote, citing the instrument’s complexity and preference for simpler, more direct performance markers.

The board’s approval sets the evaluation in place for this year; board members said they may add or revise components during next year’s review cycle.","After public comment and board debate, the School Board approved a superintendent evaluation instrument aligned to the district strategic plan; the motion carried 12 yeas, 1 abstention.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":104,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382210,"St. Tammany expands paid internships as district named a state ‘best-practice’ host",1053,6451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff&start=5398&end=6451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127502-b3845dc7d982e03801c5a53844f2e6ff/thumbnail_5398000.jpg","/articles/6382210/Louisiana/St-Tammany-expands-paid-internships-as-district-named-a-state-best-practice-host","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382210-254e5681b8774da17ca556e57b5658e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152129&Signature=QRVrOi8MdbkXYuhhRcgYVXyBJOnWA5znT3plwFezMxVit3Iq0RPiriBGvoj5o2hZ475vDLktixnmP9-XJXKR~jom36SKWwJ2~3dmcTGTvRFtw3nWFkZ-zfMp1HsB2mpqy2TI8A95dS7CJBzNMWYhH2u6SBVWw3oAcXoKKDPAn3LxJ0l0p8Ei8LjKoO6rbDDZjJUslOSsjybCmT5-gJLyCUkCFPe~jKZ6QoH~AhHEo8~aj2rKI~xdE7eR2GymN1VUbeZPJreKoKXQIQ1KU~yfpbIV6T2j94l6nLFwsYdP0PkvXWSudJbuBWZAcFGs961pvfNqhXBn3KhgOB5dgGretA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Langlois, who presented the curriculum and instruction update for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, told the board the district’s work‑based learning program is growing and aligning with recent state policy changes.

The program now reports 198 paid student interns and will host a state “best‑practice” site visit at Fontainebleau High School next month, officials said. Staff said the district is working to expand paid internships, Louisiana Registered Apprenticeships and industry‑aligned credentials to better prepare students for local jobs.

The work‑based learning presentation was led by Stacy Stratterberger and Stacy Alexius of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) team. Stratterberger said the district already meets most elements of the new BESE work‑based learning expectations and that the only remaining requirement is that interns be paid; the district is working with business partners to create paid placements.

“Students must have opportunities to connect their career interest with meaningful work experiences. We’re already doing that,” Stratterberger said, summarizing the district’s review of the state policy and the program’s practices.

Alexius described planning steps used to grow the program, including monthly workforce‑roundtable meetings with local economic‑development partners, a mentor survey of business partners, and principal professional development focused on career‑tech practices. Mary Kupp, the School‑to‑Work coordinator at Covington High School, described a student intern, Jenna, who is working at a veterinary clinic and said the placement has boosted the student’s confidence and real‑world skills.

District staff said the State BESE accountability model will grant bonus points for students who complete paid work‑based learning experiences and earn advanced credentials under a six‑year transition plan. To support statewide sharing of practices, the district will host regional educators and BESE representatives for a “Classroom to Careers” connection tour and will present on a work‑based learning panel at upcoming regional conferences.

Board members and public speakers praised the work of school coordinators and community partners. Board members asked about tracking whether interns remain in the local workforce after graduation; staff said some regional and state workforce partners keep placement data but that comprehensive post‑graduation tracking is limited and may require data from state workforce agencies.

District staff listed next steps: increase paid placements beyond the current 198, expand registered apprenticeships, grow credential offerings, and share program design with other districts during the state site visit.

Funding and implementation questions will continue as staff seek paid placements and work with employers whose internal policies sometimes restrict hiring minors.

St. Tammany’s presentation framed the program as a growing component of high school offerings intended to connect credentialing, classroom instruction and employer mentorship.","District officials and Career & Technical Education staff outlined growth in work‑based learning, reporting 198 paid interns this school year and plans to expand apprenticeships and credentials; BESE policy alignment and a state site visit were announced.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Retiree and board members praise passage of Social Security Fairness Act; district retirees to watch for retroactive payments

Mandeville High quiz bowl team qualifies for nationals; coach and students honored at board meeting

Votes at a glance: St. Tammany School Board approves minutes, retirements and two construction bids

St. Tammany board adopts superintendent evaluation tied to strategic plan after months of debate

St. Tammany expands paid internships as district named a state ‘best-practice’ host