It is my pleasure to welcome you to our website, and to our school system.  As we begin the summer of 2008, we do so after a quality academic year for our students.  The March 2008 state testing brought more good results to our district.  At grades 3 through 11, our students take a total of 30 state standardized tests.  At grades 3, 5, 6, and 7, our students take the iLEAP test.  Within each of those grade levels, students each take 4 parts of that test, those being ELA, math, science and social studies.  In grades 4 and 8, our students once again each take 4 parts of a test, with this test being the high stakes LEAP test.  Students should score a combination of “Basic/Approaching Basic” on the ELA and math test at grades 4 and 8 in order to be promoted to grades 5 and 9, respectfully.  Within grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, our students take a total of 24 tests.  In grade 9, students take the ELA and math parts of the iLEAP, and in grade 10 they take the same two parts of the Graduation Exit Exam.  In grade 11, they take the science and social studies parts of the GEE.  That totals 30 tests.  In 21 of those 30 tests for 2008, the percentage of students who scored at the “Advanced” level either tied or bettered the results for 2007.  In 24 of those 30 tests, the percentage of students who scored “Basic” or above (meaning proficient or above) increased over the percentage for 2007, and in 25 of the 30 tests, the percentage of students who scored “Unsatisfactory” dropped from 2007.  All good things!!  All of that happened because our teachers and staff accepted the challenge of having higher expectations for everyone, used every minute of instructional time appropriately, and remained faithful to the implementation of our curriculum, and our literacy and math initiatives.  After several years of faithful implementation of elementary literacy initiatives, the percentage of 4th graders who met the promotional standard of at least attaining a combination score of Basic/Approaching Basic in ELA and math in 2008 reached 81%.  In 2007, only 68% of our 4th graders reached that plateau.  We were 4 percentage points behind the state (72%) in 2007, and we are now 5 percentage points ahead of the state (76%) in 2008.  Great gains have been made here and it is a result of good quality teachers remaining faithful to the initiatives, supported by good quality administrators both at the school and central office level.

Our teachers and employees are paid well as a starting teacher with no experience and a Bachelors degree earned $40,884 in 2007-08.  The legislature is considering a $1019 raise at this moment for teachers, therefore our salaries will continue to rise.  Our system is supported by the taxpayers of West Baton Rouge.  In May of 2007, our taxpayers passed a 12 mill property tax totally devoted to teacher and support employee raises in WBR with a resounding 68% “yes” vote.  While our teachers appreciated the dollars that were received, they also appreciated the respect of the community by the power of the vote.

Our system is comprised of ten schools. We have five elementary schools; Port Allen Elementary (Pre K-1), Cohn Elementary (2-4), Chamberlin Elementary (Pre K-3), Brusly Elementary (Pre K -2), and Lukeville Upper Elementary (3-5).  We have three middle schools; Port Allen Middle (5-8), Devall Middle (4-8), and Brusly Middle (6-8), and two high schools; Port Allen High (9-12) and Brusly High (9-12). During the 2007-08 school year we served approximately 3600 students.  Links are available on our website that will enable you to view the report cards for each of our schools.

The entire instructional program in our district is continually evolving to meet the challenges of today's society, and, as such, technology is woven throughout the curriculum, and our system in total. We have Promethean Boards in every school that are used by well trained teachers.  Continuous technology training for school board employees and the community at large is taking place.  We will continue to enhance our use of technology, and we are confident that it will be a driving force as our system moves forward.

The governing body of our district is the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, which is comprised of ten individuals who are dedicated to providing strong, progressive and responsible leadership. Each Board Member values our community, and knows and recognizes that the quality of life in our parish is directly proportional to the quality of education attained by our youth. Because of this basic philosophy, members of our Board are all clear thinkers and work for the long-term benefits that a school system brings to its community. Each Board Member brings unique strengths to the table, and collectively, they serve as an excellent group of policy makers for our citizens.

I am proud to work as Superintendent, and I am fortunate, indeed, to lead a group of quality educators and support staff that are dedicated to the welfare of our children. If you are a West Baton Rouge resident, then you know that the "west side is the best side." If you are considering a move to our parish as a resident or an employee, we welcome you. Rest assured that your move will be positive, your presence will be valued, and your quality of life will improve!

Contact Mr. Corona