EPISODE SUMMARY

Dr. Kelli Joseph shares how Louisiana's St. Helena Parish School District was able to grow, improve test scores, and increase teacher pay in the midst of a budget crisis.

EPISODE NOTES

When Dr. Kelli Joseph began her superintendency at St. Helena Parish School District, she had her work cut out for her. The Louisiana district was facing a multitude of challenges, from a $1.5 million budget deficit to a desegregation order to a fight for local control. The problems looked almost insurmountable—but Joseph and her team were determined not only to solve them but to grow in the process. And that’s just what they did.

Since Joseph’s start in 2011, St. Helena has passed two tax increases—the first in 20 years. They’ve boosted teacher pay by more than 25%, balanced their budget, and taken back their middle school from the Recovery School District. Now, Joseph is Louisiana’s current Superintendent of the Year.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joseph about her dedication to progress in the midst of a crisis and how she and her team balanced cuts with growth.

Dr. Kelli Joseph (@sthelenasupe)

St. Helena Parish School District (sthpk-12.net)

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