[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,99],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071649,"mediaKeyId","3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f","parentId",3036898,"title","LDOE reports early LA Gator application surge; Odyssey platform satisfaction high","audioSeconds",742,"startMs",7932000,"endMs",8674000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f&start=7932&end=8674","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f/thumbnail_7932000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071649/Louisiana/LDOE-reports-early-LA-Gator-application-surge-Odyssey-platform-satisfaction-high","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071649-68f6257fef28f29f0178e4a15040356b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775259743&Signature=H3VHwvNC-oFxZgKeDSB16X-xIbR3IvWIx8HyKieZP9eqC0s-IOcYdjhq7GGXRS7drVnA-nMsIvsnKEuIhmdj-3VJiTEJ5jBcnVj3FjrGh8g1xp5uf-D84jElnSHhsljA04zgM7o4H5v~0YdlIVkoKao7UXSq8j-Eyb1Aoy9n8Dlrt23Cc1qceWRXSM~gKGMA6xYJ1iuyDxtnqeE~YhJIUSP8sZ10S-j5aYDYVicuC7f5UK5yGU9XHQORSNQBiUf4x7cxMLAy0pTc6ne3ul9ruVIhdlDcuK-ji4Ewq3DNLaMXw4xGZ8aXaG1pJKW~c-Q7wRw-Y-0w7OWaN31FlYGcyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana BESE","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Louisiana Department of Education staff provided an update on the LA Gator scholarship program rollout and implementation metrics.

Deputy chief of staff Caleb Moore summarized outreach and enrollment activity: the department had opened student family applications and a separate service-provider application; LDOE reported about 18,088 total applications at the time of presentation with roughly 15,680 deemed eligible and about 1,527 under review. The department said 3,127 of the applicants were from families currently participating in the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) and that more schools and families are actively being helped through targeted LA Gator enrollment days.

Moore noted high engagement rates on communications and very positive satisfaction metrics for the Odyssey application platform: LDOE reported Odyssey customer-satisfaction (CSAT) scores above 90 percent and praised prompt customer support, an instant chat feature and a phone help line. Staff outlined the timeline: service provider approvals are rolling; the student application window closes April 15; verification and tuition confirmation steps continue in June; and funding, subject to appropriation, would follow in July.

Board members asked clarifying questions about budgetary capacity and the likely number of families funded under current executive budget proposals. LDOE staff and board members noted that legislative and appropriation decisions will determine how many eligible applicants can be funded; presenters estimated that the current executive budget request would support on the order of 11,000 students, but that the final figure depends on legislative action and student-level funding differences (for example, allocations for students with disabilities).

The board voted to receive the update; there was no formal action beyond acceptance of the report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/11/2025 School Innovation and Turnaround Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","LDOE staff presented an implementation update on the Louisiana Gator scholarship program: more than 18,000 applications had been received, high Odyssey customer-satisfaction scores were reported, and LDOE outlined outreach and next steps toward funding and enrollment confirmation.","taxTitle","State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",25426,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071654,"BESE votes to transfer Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle to Recovery School District and assign Geo as operator amid community split",5114,2905000,8019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f&start=2905&end=8019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f/thumbnail_2905000.jpg","/articles/6071654/Louisiana/BESE-votes-to-transfer-Baker-Heights-Elementary-and-Baker-Middle-to-Recovery-School-District-and-assign-Geo-as-operator-amid-community-split","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071654-64d7153e51e40cdbd3c71027f509431d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775259743&Signature=TWxQ05mCD5aPT8~hCwcVCL3jhfkMi9~j9-SrxMCVcHC42~mGo5ufBa4Lbw46hC~k-rFhVfdY-pmQ8kCZB0Zv7hBAw6Fd4ali1ugF0vkAEVPxCW~9xamRjcu-Yu1gPdxj8crh28V~-7Ca-Qa~bqCy4KcnN7z4sJn2g1aCpemmv32JBSraDSQqspnqC9iTKtd6VVCt-vmXCszmGNVg32Vu7AL5O00PxosVnUfh8sVBvcfQU6ZndSRkA1GDea80jQVbSvW~u6ogQIU1mrTPuSx7nMr~MLEAbPqcCLDfpwDqnRMVpaGXS0rZlEKw5h0~hIogUu1SvxxyxE2aAQPMSntpgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to transfer Baker Heights Elementary School and Baker Middle School from the City of Baker School District to the Recovery School District and to assign Geo Academies Louisiana as the proposed type 5 operator for those campuses.

LDOE staff presented academic and demographic data the department said justified the transfer. The department told the board Baker City Schools had a district performance score of 48.4 and an overall F rating; officials said Baker ranked last (69 of 69) among Louisiana school systems. Staff presented grade-by-grade proficiency comparisons showing Baker rates well below state averages in English language arts and math across grades 3–8 (examples cited in the presentation: third-grade ELA proficiency 20% in Baker versus 45% statewide; selected math proficiencies under 5% in some grades). Baker Heights Elementary was cited with an SPS (school performance score) of 34.3 and a four-year period of academically unacceptable status; Baker Middle was described with an SPS of 43.4 and a nine-year academically unacceptable history.

LDOE recommended transferring the two schools under the statutory category for chronically failing schools. The department also recommended assigning Geo Academies Louisiana, which had been approved earlier on the agenda as a type 5 operator, to the two Baker schools. LDOE staff compared the Baker campuses’ demographics (Baker Heights 98% minority, 95% economically disadvantaged; Baker Middle 95% minority, 94% economically disadvantaged) with Geo-operated campuses in Baton Rouge and presented that organization’s SPS scores (Geo Prep Academy 75.4; Geo Prep Mid City 78.3) as supporting evidence for Geo’s turnaround capacity.

Board members and staff noted the sensitivity of transferring schools from a small district and the likely financial impacts of moving a large share of students out of the district: several speakers and staff warned that transferring the two campuses would remove substantial funding from the local district and could put the remaining district at immediate financial risk. One staff speaker summarized a rough estimate that 500 students would represent roughly $3.8 million in state funding; that estimate was presented in the public discussion as a reason transfers could leave the remaining district budget insufficient to cover ongoing obligations.

Public comment at the hearing was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of the transfer, including representatives from New Schools for Baton Rouge and advocates for turnaround interventions, argued that prolonged low performance — sometimes measured in multiple consecutive years of unacceptable status — warranted RSD action. Cara Maggiore of New Schools for Baton Rouge and other supporters said turnaround action had demonstrated results in comparable cases and framed the RSD as a last-resort tool to avoid another generation of students in failing seats.

Opponents, including Baker residents, the district superintendent (identified in the record as Mr. Stroder) and long-time educators such as Sandra Douglas, asked for more time and local support. Speakers raised several concerns: the transfer would effectively remove the bulk of the district’s funding and could bankrupt the district, families and workers would be disrupted, and comparisons between charters and traditional districts were not “apples to apples” given different admissions and accountability mechanisms. Linda Johnson, a long-time Baker resident, asked the board to delay a takeover for at least one year to allow local turnaround steps to take effect; others urged the board to support the newly hired superintendent and local recovery plans.

Board action: a motion to transfer the two Baker schools and assign Geo Academies Louisiana was moved by Mr. Morris and seconded by Miss Champagne; the motion was recorded as passing. One board member verbally stated an objection on the record (the transcript does not record a roll-call tally). LDOE staff and presenters noted next steps would include operational transition planning, and both state staff and local leaders acknowledged substantial financial and personnel issues that will require follow-up.

The transfer will require LDOE and RSD staff to work through operations, facility and budget impacts while the community seeks clarification on staffing and services for the remaining district.","After extensive public comment, BESE voted to transfer two Baker schools into the Recovery School District and to assign Geo Academies Louisiana as the operator. The decision drew praise from some turnaround advocates and opposition from residents and local educators who urged more time for local recovery efforts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_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":74,"_75":74},6071659,"BESE approves Geo Academies Louisiana as a type 5 charter applicant to be held in reserve",1344,1561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f&start=1561&end=2905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f/thumbnail_1561000.jpg","/articles/6071659/Louisiana/BESE-approves-Geo-Academies-Louisiana-as-a-type-5-charter-applicant-to-be-held-in-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071659-582da0a8734b24144fd8f92727a27e85/orig.mp4?Expires=1775259743&Signature=C6uWJhCx-UPk4UlxAz7EOECHUQr0e~xKF67URCcF7enEQz6JjJiFIC2HSQqLc9KBOVG~Cjn-to0nBRB50ktG6Ruf8PO6twliY9okPA3TmXkcNYeOfk1hKp9KyKCwp-vEOBdbNx~R6XQCngvOXPH-ci~3WMVA8holtCfG4py8Jlg5a4~4WCGsSmYaYJnjkTsHXvTiZrKi59bAAKPxtrhVnj6mH-hloofyx4KuF~51wSi6IGjniE~wiOj~mVTvnhWynYRuT1M-1lvnYFEyOzJoPiyo0TWm03whNb-NsQLYNp4bXlnbKxPAX70mqfi4y~1PUCUerY5O3Po0qtwkOtOJsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a type 5 charter application from Geo Academies Louisiana, placing the organization on BESE’s roster of operators eligible to be assigned to schools that are transferred into the Recovery School District.

LDOE staff clarified that a type 5 approval does not assign an operator to a specific campus; it simply certifies that the applicant has completed the rigorous application, third-party review and capacity interview required of type 2 and type 4 operators. The board received a presentation from department staff on the type 5 process and the third-party reviewer’s findings, and members were told Geo Academies Louisiana met the 10 quality standards used in evaluation.

Board member Mr. Harris moved to approve the application and Mr. Birkin seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded objection.

Public comments were sharply divided. Dr. James Finney opposed, calling Geo Academies Louisiana “not an experienced operator” and noting concerns about a newly formed statewide board distinct from the Geo Baton Rouge governing board. Several parents, community members and Geo staff spoke in support, including Geo principals and deputy academic officers who described classroom-level gains at Geo campuses in Baton Rouge. Elizabeth Porsche Gibbs and Aquila Queen, both parents of Geo students, described improvements for their children; Kimberly Baker, principal of GeoPrep Baker, and other Geo staff described a decade of work at Geo schools and said their data show improvement under the Geo model.

LDOE staff emphasized that approval merely places the operator \"on the shelf\" for future assignment, and that assignment would require a later, separate board action tied to a particular school transfer or assignment.

Board action: motion by Mr. Harris, second by Mr. Birkin; approved as recommended.","The board approved a type 5 charter application from Geo Academies Louisiana to be placed on BESE’s list of eligible operators for future assignment to Recovery School District campuses.",{"_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":74,"_75":74},6071664,"BESE approves multiple charter contract amendments; attorney explains Charter Schools USA tax-exempt bond change",1047,535000,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f&start=535&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036898-ed0fec50503993b2d8c8e7c0e1d21b8f/thumbnail_535000.jpg","/articles/6071664/Louisiana/BESE-approves-multiple-charter-contract-amendments-attorney-explains-Charter-Schools-USA-tax-exempt-bond-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071664-89867b89842460dc1d1e86da479c9b02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775259743&Signature=FxoX-TG-5tJEVh6WyXR4PwsJTov7MMxaqrsk~nVlqoefSLoKAF1Xzg6pOZABdIBYZJOxIA973UWZ7spcmna5wOLWXqiv5lpysIGbhG7mNvvE~sZqPIb0G-Z3hMfteaRodDO6kBi3MeSdA2ov1C9rECoNJ9lzCFrJDBO9qTc6tc7yh6jEyGaJ12-Sz~tq4ibzSaXMPmY99J82GmAp2ZOukBTPrzK3y2pDnKU8gbXFJTSICokFalbgZxaqXQSsywQtCfQx~6R0QKL1zA~YsHTICuNPYHQYnwYw1ZSa8tiWZjM6pBwb72BtEe3LKJuDAAuEsw5zMFx3spycagD6~UBa9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to approve a set of amendments to types 2, 4 and 5 charter contracts, including grade-range and location changes and an amendment to a management agreement involving Charter Schools USA and tax-exempt bond financing.

The items approved, presented as agenda 2.1 A–E, included: ACE expanding to grades 6–8; GeoPrep Mid City seeking a second campus in Baton Rouge; Louisiana Key Academy proposing to stop serving grades 9–12 and to add kindergarten; a school identified as Lise requesting a change of physical location; and Lafayette Renaissance seeking to increase enrollment. Board member Miss Holloway moved the package and Mr. Appel seconded the motion. Board materials recommended approval “as outlined,” and the motion passed without recorded objection.

The board took extra time on the amendment that would revise the management agreement tied to Lafayette Charter Foundation’s facilities financing. Gary McGoughin, representing Lafayette Charter Foundation, said the foundation and a companion nonprofit, Friends of Lafayette Charter Foundation, are pursuing a complex tax-exempt bond transaction that would allow the nonprofit to acquire more than $260 million in school facilities currently held under long-term leases with Red Apple Development. McGoughin said the bonds would be structured for roughly 35 years and that annual debt service on the facilities already constructed would be about $3.9 million per year under the bond structure, versus a higher and escalating cost under the existing 20-year lease arrangement.

“By doing this, we have incorporated the Friends of Lafayette Charter Foundation,” McGoughin said, adding the plan would keep funds in Lafayette and free money for classroom use. He also explained how Internal Revenue Service rules for tax-exempt bonds require a fee schedule and that the material amendment would remove an existing practice of forgiving shortfalls in the management fee. Under the proposed change, if the management fee could not be paid in a given year, the charter organization would sign a promissory note and agree to repay the amount, with interest, within five years. “If the student enrollment declines over time … the management fee would have to be adjusted,” McGoughin said, while stressing that bond payments would have priority.

Public commenters on the item included supporters and opponents. Joy DeFatto registered support and spoke; Charisma Lewis registered opposition and wished to speak but the board approved the package nonetheless.

The amendments approved will be reflected in updated charters and management documents; the board’s approval included the unusual management-agreement revision tied to the bond financing and the IRS compliance steps explained at the meeting.

Board action: motion by Miss Holloway, second by Mr. Appel; recorded as approved on voice vote (no roll call recorded).","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a package of charter contract amendments, including campus and grade-range changes, and heard an extended explanation about a material amendment to a management agreement tied to tax-exempt bond financing for Lafayette Charter Foundation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LDOE reports early LA Gator application surge; Odyssey platform satisfaction high

BESE votes to transfer Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle to Recovery School District and assign Geo as operator amid community split

BESE approves Geo Academies Louisiana as a type 5 charter applicant to be held in reserve

BESE approves multiple charter contract amendments; attorney explains Charter Schools USA tax-exempt bond change