Superintendent's Principal Council

The Superintendent’s Principal Council convened under the leadership of Laura Roussel, Chief Academic Officer, who welcomed members and introduced Dr. Ajit Pethe, Chief of Schools, along with Daphne Walker, Executive Director of Health and Related Services, and Monique Soignet, Director of Family and Social Services. The session opened with a review of the agenda, purpose, norms, and expected outcomes.

Ms. Soignet provided a comprehensive presentation on the mental health supports available across Jefferson Parish Schools, highlighting key roles within the Department of Social Services:

• Early Intervention Specialists (EIS)
• Special Education Mental Health Professionals (MHP)
• Hybrid Social Workers
• Clinical Mental Health Professionals supporting elementary, middle, and high schools

Additional Mental Health Professional (MHP) services are offered outside the Department of Family and Social Services through:

• School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
• Pupil Appraisal Social Workers (PASW)

These layered supports ensure students have multiple access points to care. Ms. Soignet also provided updates on the Student Wellness Committee, originally launched at the high school level, with plans to expand student-led wellness initiatives into elementary and middle schools. Some campuses now provide both physical and mental health services onsite for more comprehensive support.

Ms. Walker shared that free after-hours telehealth services are available Monday–Friday for students in grades 6–12 with parent consent, extending mental health access beyond the school day.

Next, Ms. Soignet emphasized that Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is not a standalone curriculum, but a campus-wide framework demonstrated through daily interactions, relationships, routines, restorative practices, and opportunities for student voice.

In alignment with SEL and school climate work, the Threat of Violence (TOV) procedures were reviewed. Key expectations for schools and district include:

• Use of the district TOV Data Collection Form
• Timely documentation and communication
• Fidelity to assessment protocols
• Collaboration with mental health professionals and law enforcement when appropriate

Principals were reminded of their critical role in ensuring consistent implementation and staff awareness of reporting procedures.

These priorities connect directly to administrator roles and responsibilities, which include:

• Ensuring student safety and adherence to TOV procedures
• Creating conditions that support SEL and student wellness
• Coordinating with mental health staff on high-needs students
• Monitoring service delivery on their campus
• Supporting families’ understanding of available supports, including telehealth

Next, Ms. Soginet offered a Q&A session allowing principals to ask questions and provide feedback related to mental health services and safety procedures. Superintendent Dr. James Gray closed the meeting by thanking members for their engagement throughout the year. Ms. Roussel concluded with an evaluation activity and expressed appreciation for participants’ contributions.

The Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Laura Roussel, Chief Academic Officer. Mrs. Roussel opened the meeting with an interactive icebreaker to welcome members back from the Mardi Gras break. She then reviewed the meeting agenda, purpose, norms, and expected outcomes.

Mrs. Roussel provided a recap of the previous council meeting, which focused on student mental health and school-based programs. She shared that during this meeting, members would will participate in a structured deep dive centered on three key steps designed to better define the council’s conversations, goals, and expectations:

1. Define the problem precisely
2. Clarify the landscape and synthesize information
3. Determine next steps

Members participated in guided group discussions aligned to each step, with the ultimate goal of identifying and defining the core concern.

Step 1: Defining the Problem

Principals shared that schools and leadership teams are both responding to incidents and implementing preventative measures across campuses. Some concerns stem from issues that originate outside of school, in addition to typical school-based challenges.

Key discussion points included:

• The availability of on-campus mental health supports
• Perceptions of teachers and staff managing student crises
• The importance of tracking and monitoring crisis incidents
• An increase in threat-related incidents at varying levels, all of which require administrative action regardless of frequency

The council also discussed updates to the reporting protocol. Previously, incidents were submitted through a reporting system, and a designated responder initiated the process with the student. Under the revised protocol, all reports now go directly to the principal. The social worker provides coaching support at the beginning of the process; however, principals are responsible for conducting the initial administrative interview to determine whether the student poses a threat or is stable, as well as overseeing the investigation and triage of the incident.

Members identified challenges related to systems versus capacity, including staffing shortages, the need for additional training, inconsistent implementation of preventative systems, accountability measures, and clearly defined roles for social workers.

The core problem identified by members centered on the need for greater clarity in protocols for campus-based mental health professionals and stronger alignment in how schools collaborate on both preventative and reactive measures.

Step 2: Clarifying the Landscape

Discussion during this phase focused on crisis response and management systems, the role of social workers, social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, and existing preventative structures.

Members shared insights aimed at strengthening support systems and aligning recommendations with council priorities. Key recommendations included:

• Reviewing and refining policies and procedures
• Providing targeted training for new administrators
• Creating focus groups to allow for deeper study and continued examination of the council’s organizational concerns

Step 3: Synthesis and Determining Next Steps

Mrs. Roussel shared that the next step would be to compile and organize the day’s feedback into a summary for members. This summary will help guide future conversations and inform actionable next steps.

She thanked members for their thoughtful participation and concluded the meeting with an evaluation activity, inviting council members to share what worked well and provide feedback for improvement.

Superintendent Dr. James Gray then addressed the council, expressing his appreciation for their service and engagement. He led an open discussion on several key topics, including updates on federal Title funds, the newly approved Ten Commandments law, and the Highly Effective Teacher stipend.

The  Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Laura Roussel, Chief Academic Officer.  Mrs. Roussel introduced herself, and then the council members introduced themselves. Council members participated in an interactive activity in which members were able to get to know each other. Next, Mrs. Roussel reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms.

Next, Superintendent Dr. James Gray welcomed the council members and expressed his gratitude for their participation in this year’s council. Following his welcome, Dr. Gray and the members held an open discussion on several key topics, including teacher salaries and satisfaction, attendance, and ICE-related concerns.

Dr. Gray concluded this portion of the meeting by highlighting the overall growth within Jefferson Parish Schools. “I believe that we continue to grow because we are driven by integrity,” said Dr. Gray.

Next, Mrs. Roussel also announced that Jefferson Parish Schools has earned a “B” district rating for the second consecutive year. “This year our overall district growth reflects a 2.2-point increase, which shows that we continue to have steady growth,” she said. She then shared a presentation highlighting the district’s Performance Scores (DPS), which included information on:

• JP Schools’ historical overall DPS
• The reduction of F-rated schools — as of 2025, the district has zero F-rated schools
• Grade Level DPS Components 
• JP High Schools Credentials Earned
• SPS Growth 5+ points
• Top-achieving schools within the state
• Graduation Rate and Strength of Diploma

Mrs. Roussel emphasized that even as we celebrate our progress, our focus remains on increasing the number of students achieving mastery on LEAP 2025, meeting the diverse needs of all learners, and aligning our work with the new state accountability system. “Our daily mission is to determine how we can best support our students in reaching mastery,” said Mrs. Roussel.

Next, she explained that the new accountability system will bring changes but will also create more opportunities for students to pursue workforce pathways and career options immediately after graduating high school. Next, council members participated in open discussions.

Next, Mrs. Roussel shared a presentation and encouraged council members to engage in open discussions on HQIM (High-Quality Instructional Materials) and Common Assessments. Members gained insights and explored ways to support instruction, improve efficiency, enhance student learning, and make data-informed decisions. The session also included strategies for managing HQIM and overseeing testing with teachers. Additionally, members began developing a shared understanding of the importance of district-wide HQIM and common assessments from multiple perspectives. Council members also collaborated to identify students’ mental health needs beyond the programs currently offered by the district.

To conclude the meeting, Mrs. Roussel  thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking council members to share what worked about the council meeting.

The  Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Laura Roussel, Chief Academic Officer.  Mrs. Roussel introduced herself then council members introduced themselves. Council members participated in an interactive  activity in which members were able to get to know each other. Next, Mrs. Roussel reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms.

Next, members participated in a small group interactive activity that encouraged them to discuss “Being a Leader in 2025”. Topic discussions included experiences as a school leader, the reason for becoming a principal, ways the profession has changed and impacted leadership methods. Mrs. Roussell thanked everyone for sharing their experiences and shared that it is important to hear different perspectives. She shared that there is a purposeful reason why everyone entered the profession of education. Many members shared that many people do not have interest in going into education. “Many people have placed an undervalue on the profession while those still in the profession are consistently trying to prove the importance and value of the profession”, said Dr. Gray. 

Next, Mrs.Roussell gave a presentation that highlighted successes and challenges in Jefferson Parish Schools. “We are doing amazing work in Jefferson Parish Schools.”, said Mrs. Roussel. A few of the successes included becoming a B rated school, improvement of graduation rate and SOD, ELP index growth, increased industry based credentials, significant gains in K-3 literacy proficiency and more. Next, members were encouraged  to share things that have supported the instructional shift within schools. Many members share that the following have supported the shift:  ILT, weekly teacher cluster, principal cluster, consistency with curriculum across the district, universal language that all  schools are using and being intentional with goals, accountability and resources. 

Next, Superintendent Dr. James Gray welcomed the council members and expressed his gratitude for their participation in this year’s council. Following the welcome, Dr. Gray and the members engaged in open discussions focusing on several key topics, including school and district culture, as well as the consistency of support provided by the district. Dr. Gray highlighted a noticeable positive shift in campus culture, observing that students, teachers, and administrators appear genuinely happy. “Everything feels different, which is a good thing, from teacher-student interactions to principal-teacher relationships. We have principals who truly care about children and foster a positive culture on our campuses." Dr. Gray. He ended by reminding members that as long as everyone continues to prioritize the well-being of students, the district will continue to grow and improve.

To conclude the meeting, Mrs. Roussel thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking council members to share what worked about the council meeting. 

The Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Dr. AJ Pethe, Chief of Schools. Dr. Pethe reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms.

Next, council members participated in a team-building activity that focused on celebrating wins from this school year as principals. Members shared personal and campus experiences with the group. They highlighted successes such as creating celebratory moments to support teacher and staff retention, implementing strategies that shifted campus culture in both academics and behavior, and introducing initiatives like "Power Hour," which helped increase DIBELS scores and boost family engagement.

Following the team-building activity, members took part in small group discussions focused on three key areas: staffing and retention, school culture and climate, and family and community engagement. Each group had the opportunity to discuss each topic. To conclude this portion of the meeting, members shared the highlights of their discussions with the full group.

After the interactive activities, members discussed top priorities for the Principal Council to focus on during the 2025–26 school year. Some highlighted topics included reviewing school policies and disciplinary procedures, as well as ensuring consistency in how schools implement these policies and procedures.

Next, Dr. Pethe invited Superintendent Dr. James Gray to speak with council members. Dr. Gray welcomed the group and expressed his appreciation for their support. He then joined members in discussions about upcoming changes in accountability standards, the importance of administrators consistently enforcing policies and procedures, and the value of principals recognizing high-leverage areas and knowing when to delegate responsibilities. Members offered suggestions to support principals, including targeted training and direct support for funding, audits, testing, behavior management, JCampus reporting, data analysis, and more. To close the discussion, Dr. Gray shared his appreciation for the work being led by school principals: “There are a lot of changes happening constantly, but our school leaders continue to do what's best for our students,” said Dr. Gray.

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Pethe thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking members to share feedback on what worked well during the council meeting.

The Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Dr. AJ Pethe, Chief of Schools. Dr. Pethe reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms. Council members participated in a team-building activity.

Next,  Dr. Kaela Lewis, Executive Director of Communication, shared a presentation that provided information regarding leveraging social media and communications to promote schools and social media.

Members participated in an interactive team building activity led by Dr. Lewis, which encouraged members to brainstorm positive social media stories about their schools. Members had the opportunity to share out school events and social media captions that would excited their school community. This presentation highlighted the importance of a positive social media presence and principal's role in regards to the school's social media.

Next, members participated in a small group activity in which they had the opportunity to create a tagline for their school brand.
 
Next, members participated in small group activities which encouraged members to collaborate with each other.  

Next, Dr. Pethe invited Superintendent Dr. James Gray to share a few words with council members. Dr. Gray welcomed members and thanked them for their support. Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Dr. Gray. 

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Pethe thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking council members to share what worked about the council meeting. 
 

The Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Dr. AJ Pethe, Chief of Schools. Dr. Pethe reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms. Council members participated in a team-building activity.

Next, Ira Wilson, Executive Director of Performance Management, and Trovonia Otkins, Director of Recruitment and Select, shared a presentation  that provided information regarding recruitment and retention initiatives. Next, members participated in a small group activity. 

Next, Dr. Pethe invited Superintendent Dr. James Gray to share a few words with council members. Dr. Gray welcomed members and thanked them for their support. Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions to Dr. Gray. 

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Pethe thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking council members to share what worked about the council meeting.

The Superintendent’s Principal Council was led by Dr. AJ Pethe, Chief of Schools. Dr. Pethe reviewed the meeting agenda, outcomes, and norms. Council members participated in a team-building activity in which members worked in small groups to discuss and identify three things they all have in common to encourage council members to share experiences, interests, and values among their assigned groups. Members then presented their discussions on commonalities from their small groups. 

Next, members were divided into three groups and participated in a 30-minute discussion with a facilitator from various members of the Student Support Department to review and discuss health, early childhood, and special education. When the group reconvened, Dr. Pethe asked group facilitators to present their discussions on how academics, behavior, and child wellness all work together. Dr. Pethe presented the creation of the Behavior Support team to assist schools and better support students. Dr. Pethe then asked principals to share feedback on how to assist with managing behaviors in schools. 

Next, Dr. Pethe opened the floor for principals to ask questions.

To conclude the meeting, Dr. Pethe thanked all council members for their participation and ended with an evaluation, asking council members to share what worked about the council meeting.