Advisory Council
Our advisory councils bring together parents, educators, community members, and advocacy organizations to provide guidance and oversight for exceptional student services. These councils review policies and procedures, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Members offer valuable insights from diverse perspectives, helping us identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes in serving students with disabilities.
Advisory Council Archived Annual Reports
2025-2026 Annual Report
Rapides Parish Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Annual Report
SEAC Purpose
The Rapides Parish Special Education Advisory Council serves to advise and provide feedback on special education policies, procedures, and resources while supporting outreach activities to increase awareness, knowledge, and collaboration with respect to special education. Council members include parents, community members, and school staff dedicated to enhancing services and outcomes for students with disabilities. The council meets at least three times annually, with a written report submitted to LDOE at the end of each school year.
2025-2026 SEAC Members
Parents: Mary Tarver, Amanda Ports, Rachel Sasser, Kristie Thompson
Community: Pam Carey
School Staff: Mike Yoist, Delanie Jackson, Stephanie Ford
Meeting Dates and Attendance
December 10, 2025 - Quorum Met
Members Present: Mike Yoist, Delanie Jackson, Stephanie Ford, Mary Tarver, Amanda Ports, Rachel Sasser, Kristie Thompson, and Pam Carey
February 24, 2026- Quorum Met
Members Present: Delanie Jackson, Stephanie Ford, Mary Tarver, Pam Carey, and Amanda Ports,
May 4, 2026- Quorum Met
Members Present: Mike Yoist, Delanie Jackson, Stephanie Ford, Mary Tarver, and Pam Carey
Summary of Council Activities
The SEAC convened three times during the 2025-2026 school year to review key academic data, compliance/finance updates, and plans aimed at strengthening services for students with disabilities. These meetings served as a platform for collaboration, shared understanding, and problem-solving among stakeholders.
Meeting #1 - December 10, 2025: The December meeting focused on the new department re-organization that the Rapides Parish Special Education Department undertook. We also discussed the 2025 SWD Leap and Leap Connect data. This included trends in student performance, as well as the schools in Rapides Parish that are labeled CIR and UIR.
Meeting #2 - February 24, 2026: In February, Roxane West was the guest speaker who presented the Special Education Playbook.
Meeting #3 - May 4, 2026: The final meeting covered compliance updates and financial reports including Medicaid reimbursement, High Cost, and 2026-2027 IDEA budget allocation plans. We also discussed major projects for the department for next school year and beyond. This included plans to purchase and install inclusive playground equipment on four school campuses, improve our transition programs by enhanced recruitment strategies, partnership with LRS, and making better connections with local businesses. We discussed our work on a plan to help reduce significant student behaviors, and allow teachers to teach by, creating “Bridge Classes” in several elementary schools, using behavior strategists and social workers to provide more behavior modification support to targeted students in these Bridge Classes, adding more staff to our behavior support school (Calm & Connect Academy). Lastly, we discussed our plan for the Special Education Playbook roll out to schools.
Outreach Activities
SEAC members organized and hosted a resource fair for families of children with disabilities. This resource fair was held at the Alexandria Convention Hall on August 30, 2025.
Council Reflections and Recommendations
- Improve school district communication with parents
- Plan and schedule opportunities for parents to learn about the Special Education Playbook
- Give more parents the opportunity to serve on the council
2024-2025 Annual Report
Rapides Parish Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Annual Report
SEAC Purpose
The Rapides Parish Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) serves to advise and provide feedback on special education policies, procedures, and resources while supporting outreach activities to increase awareness, knowledge, and collaboration with respect to special education. Council members include parents, community members, and school staff dedicated to enhancing services and outcomes for students with disabilities. The council meets at least three times annually, with a written report submitted to the local superintendent and posted publicly each spring.
2024–25 SEAC Members
Parents: Trivia Jordan, Amanda Ports, Tony Robinson, Rachel Sasser, Kristie Thompson
Community: Pam Carey, Dr. Becky Pippen
School Staff: Dr. Susan Dewees, Stephanie Ford, Delanie Jackson
Meeting Dates and Attendance
December 5, 2024 – Quorum Met
Members Present: Pam Carey, Dr. Susan Dewees, Stephanie Ford, Trivia Jordan, Dr. Becky Pippen, Amanda Ports, Rachel Sasser, Kristie Thompson
Members Not Present: Delanie Jackson, Toby Robinson
March 6, 2025 – Quorum Met
Members Present: Dr. Susan Dewees, Stephanie Ford, Dr. Becky Pippen, Amanda Ports, Tony Robinson, Rachel Sasser, Kristie Thompson
Members Not Present: Pam Carey, Delanie Jackson, Trivia Jordan
May 20, 2025 – Quorum Met
Members Present: Pam Carey, Susan Dewees, Stephanie Ford, Dr. Becky Pippen, Amanda Ports, Kristie Thompson, Rachel Sasser
Members Not Present: Delanie Jackson, Trivia Jordan, Toby Robinson
Summary of Council Activities
The SEAC convened three times during the 2024–25 school year to review key academic data, compliance updates, and initiatives aimed at strengthening services for students with disabilities. These meetings served as a platform for collaboration, shared understanding, and problem-solving among stakeholders.
Meeting #1 - December 5, 2024:
The December meeting focused on student academic performance, including a review of LEAP Connect participation rates, SWD subgroup performance trends, and campus progress toward exiting Urgent Intervention status. Members also discussed the importance of equity in gifted and talented enrollment.
Meeting #2 - March 6, 2025:
In March, compliance trends and areas identified as non-compliant were reviewed. SEAC members were informed of district action steps, such as strengthening SBLC practices, providing staff training on appropriate evaluation tools, and revising procedures. Members offered valuable insight on how to improve collaboration and communication between families and schools in compliance matters.
Meeting #3 - May 20, 2025:
The May meeting covered funding trends, including shifts in MFP allocations, reimbursements through High Cost Services, and the use of state and federal funds to support staffing, professional learning, and intervention resources. Members also received an update on the department’s restructuring efforts, including the implementation of feeder-based support teams to improve proximity and responsiveness to schools.
Outreach Activities
SEAC members supported outreach initiatives such as the planning of the Exceptional Families Resource Fair, set to take place in Fall 2025. In addition to the fair, the council shared ideas for future engagement activities, including sensory-friendly community events, inclusive playground improvements, parent-focused training sessions, and awareness initiatives for school staff and students. The group emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships with community organizations.
Council Reflections and Recommendations
• Continue regular review and open discussion of academic and compliance data in SEAC meetings.
• Encourage proactive partnerships between families and school-based teams during SBLC and IEP processes.
• Strengthen district-wide professional development focused on inclusive instructional practices and behavior supports.
• Maintain emphasis on growth of the SWD subgroup and equitable access to advanced learning opportunities.
• Expand outreach strategies and ensure accessible resources for families of students with disabilities.
2023-2024 Annual Report
Rapides Parish Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Annual Report
SEAC Members
PARENTS:
Daniel Brown
Leslie Constance
Amanda Ports
Kristie Thompson
COMMUNITY:
Pam Carey
Dr. Becky Pippen
SCHOOL STAFF:
Susan Dewees
Stephanie Ford
Delanie Jackson
General Meeting Information & Highlights
The Rapides Parish School Board Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) met at J.B. Lafargue Special Education Center on the dates listed below. All meetings were open to the public for those who were interested in the special education services provided by the Rapides Parish School Board.
December 14, 2023 @ 12:00 PM
February 15, 2024 @ 12:00 PM
May 9, 2024 @ 12:00 PM
Meeting 1: December 14, 2023 Meeting Highlights
SEAC Members Present:
Daniel Brown, Leslie Constance, Amanda Ports, Kristie Thompson, Pam Carey, Dr. Becky Pippen, Stephanie Ford, and Delanie Jackson
Introductions of Committee Members & Department Leaders
Supervisors shared information about their department including goals for the year. The following areas were discussed:
• Early Childhood
• Autism
• Elementary
• Secondary
• Pupil Appraisal
• Gifted & Talented
• School Health Services
Purpose & Goals for Advisory Council
We reviewed Act 274 and discussed how that would guide our actions throughout the year.
State of JBL
The current performance levels of students with IEPs were discussed as well as the Road to 90 Plan. While the RPSB special education subgroup is growing at higher rates than the state and district, proficiency levels are substantially lower than the state and district overall performance levels.
The gifted and talented program was discussed. While we are seeing a decrease in the numbers of gifted students, talented numbers have increased. We discussed the plan to increase our gifted numbers.
The non-academic goals of the special education department were discussed. These include having a mindset and heart of service for students, schools, families, and coworkers. Other goals discussed include increased efficiency in processes and protocols, increasing collaboration and teamwork, and building positive relationships.
Academic Goals:
• Growth/increase in LEAP proficiency by 3 or more points in all areas
• Reduction from 11 to 7 schools in UIR for SWD
• Increase High School LEAP, ACT Index, and Graduation Rate to equal or exceed state averages
• Increase District Performance Score for SWD from 56.7 to 60
• Increase talented students in underrepresented schools
• Increase to one or more talented students in four or more schools with no current talented students
Additional Initiatives:
• Parent meetings for newly classified students
• Revamping behavior support classrooms
• Standalone behavior program
• Summer teacher task force
• Tiering students based on support levels
• Rubrics for staffing decisions
• Transportation collaboration
• Campus transition meetings
Meeting 2: February 15, 2024 Meeting Highlights
SEAC Members Present:
Stephanie Ford, Delanie Jackson, Dr. Becky Pippen, Amanda Ports, and Kristie Thompson
Topics Discussed:
• Communication concerns between schools and families
• Student transition concerns
• Sharing information from law conferences
• Accommodations implementation
• Increasing talented students
• Community outreach ideas
Current initiatives were reviewed through TEAMS, and council members provided suggestions and feedback.
Meeting 3: May 9, 2024 Meeting Highlights
SEAC Members Present:
Pam Carey, Stephanie Ford, and Dr. Becky Pippen
Professional Development Summer Series:
• Intentional, Meaningful, and Inclusive
• Developed from identified needs and concerns
• Utilizes internal and external expertise
• Includes pre- and post-surveys
• Focuses on inclusion
• Tailored to audience needs
• Interactive, engaging, and collaborative
Social Media:
• Special Education Google Classroom
• Facebook page development
• Instagram integration
• Stakeholder communication
• Highlighting departments, employees, and events
Parent Support Meetings:
• Support for parents of newly classified students
• School-based meetings
• Building family-school relationships
• Information on IEPs, evaluations, acronyms, and resources
Transitions:
• Campus transition meetings
• Collaboration between sending and receiving schools
• Parent communication efforts
• Cross-department coordination
Extended School Year Program:
• Focus on IEP objectives
• Services for students K–12
• Planned for 8 classes
• Theme: GO TEAM GO
• Aligned with LEAP Connect standards through Unique Learning System and News-2-You
Parent Surveys:
• Designed to gather feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
Recap of Addressed Concerns:
• Communication concerns addressed through social media plan
• Transition concerns addressed by JBL team
• Law conference information addressed through summer PD and administrator roundtables
• Accommodations addressed through summer PD
• Increasing talented students remains an active initiative