Superintendent outlines district academic data, new Stay‑In pilot; students honored as Very Special Miss Louisiana queens
July 18, 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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Superintendent Dr. Cleo Perry used the Oct. 10 school-board meeting to highlight district programs, community engagement events and assessment data for the start of the 2024–25 school year.
Dr. Perry summarized community outreach activities (Hispanic Heritage Month events, a pastoral brunch, and teacher supply donations from La Federal Credit Union) and construction/transportation updates. She reported the Stay‑In pilot program began Sept. 26 at the St. John Alternative Program with 20 students preparing for their HiSET equivalency, intended for over‑aged, credit‑deficient, or at‑risk students.
Academic checkpoints presented included K–5 DIBELS beginning‑of-year results and ELA diagnostic percentages for third through fifth grades. The DIBELS summary showed shifts in performance bands from 2023–24 to 2024–25 across grades (examples: kindergarten Well Below Benchmark 60% in 23–24 vs. 53% in 24–25; variations in other grade-level bands were reported). ELA diagnostic snapshots included third grade with 50.1% Unsatisfactory and 33.2% Approaching Basic; fourth grade and fifth grade diagnostic breakdowns were provided as well with identified needs in written expression and mathematical reasoning for grades 3–5.
Dr. Perry also described professional development for principals on instructional walkthroughs, use of evidence, and feedback strategies, and noted 122 K–5 instructional walkthroughs had been completed. Student services reported 50 referrals for mental-health and behavioral interventions to outside agencies; data and accountability staff are visiting schools to review elective selections and counselor activity.
At the start of the meeting, Mr. Alvarez Hertzock introduced Ava'lyn Harris, a seventh grader at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School crowned Very Special Miss Louisiana (12–14 division). Ava'lyn said: “I do. I didn’t win last year, I may not win this year, but if I quit then Autism wins. And I have Autism it doesn’t have me.” She told the board she wants to change perceptions about what a queen looks like and to represent peers with determination.
Trinity Jacobs, a senior at East St. John High School and the 18–23 division queen, said she aims “to continue to build opportunities to advocate for myself and my peers for inclusion in programs across our community.” The board recognized the Student Advisory Council members representing district schools.
What’s next: District staff will proceed with program implementation and training steps tied to the approved policies and will post materials and notices as required.
Dr. Perry summarized community outreach activities (Hispanic Heritage Month events, a pastoral brunch, and teacher supply donations from La Federal Credit Union) and construction/transportation updates. She reported the Stay‑In pilot program began Sept. 26 at the St. John Alternative Program with 20 students preparing for their HiSET equivalency, intended for over‑aged, credit‑deficient, or at‑risk students.
Academic checkpoints presented included K–5 DIBELS beginning‑of-year results and ELA diagnostic percentages for third through fifth grades. The DIBELS summary showed shifts in performance bands from 2023–24 to 2024–25 across grades (examples: kindergarten Well Below Benchmark 60% in 23–24 vs. 53% in 24–25; variations in other grade-level bands were reported). ELA diagnostic snapshots included third grade with 50.1% Unsatisfactory and 33.2% Approaching Basic; fourth grade and fifth grade diagnostic breakdowns were provided as well with identified needs in written expression and mathematical reasoning for grades 3–5.
Dr. Perry also described professional development for principals on instructional walkthroughs, use of evidence, and feedback strategies, and noted 122 K–5 instructional walkthroughs had been completed. Student services reported 50 referrals for mental-health and behavioral interventions to outside agencies; data and accountability staff are visiting schools to review elective selections and counselor activity.
At the start of the meeting, Mr. Alvarez Hertzock introduced Ava'lyn Harris, a seventh grader at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School crowned Very Special Miss Louisiana (12–14 division). Ava'lyn said: “I do. I didn’t win last year, I may not win this year, but if I quit then Autism wins. And I have Autism it doesn’t have me.” She told the board she wants to change perceptions about what a queen looks like and to represent peers with determination.
Trinity Jacobs, a senior at East St. John High School and the 18–23 division queen, said she aims “to continue to build opportunities to advocate for myself and my peers for inclusion in programs across our community.” The board recognized the Student Advisory Council members representing district schools.
What’s next: District staff will proceed with program implementation and training steps tied to the approved policies and will post materials and notices as required.
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