2 2 23 Pjenkins Letter To Community

PATRICK D.
JENKINS
SUPERINTENDENT OF ST. LANDRY PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
337-948-3657 1013 E. Creswell Ln. Opelousas, LA 70570 www.slpsb.org
Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members,
We have accomplished so much together over the past six and a half years. It has been a
phenomenal experience working alongside all of you, impacting the lives of children and
our communities every day.
When the SLPSB took a chance on me in 2016, I promised to move the district forward
and to become a triple-A school district. Together, we have increased the District
Performance Score (DPS) by 13.3 points to an 85 B in 2018. This was the most growth in
Louisiana that year. We have also increased the district graduation rate by 14.8 points,
from 66.6% to 81.4%, and the graduation rate for African American students from 61.4%
to 83.5% over the past five years. Advanced Credentials increased from 7.4% to 13.5%,
and Basic Credentials increased from 27.8% to 47.8% over the past five years. We
provided AP courses at all high schools. These courses were not available prior to my
tenure. We increased dual enrollment and Industry Base Certifications. We provided
opportunities for students to graduate from high school while simultaneously earning an
associate degree from LSUE. We partnered with SLCC to create the first Collegiate
Technical Academy in the state. In the Collegiate Technical Academy, we had two
students get their technical degree while graduating high school, the first two students
to accomplish this in all of Louisiana. Additional accomplishments are as follows:
Balanced the SLPSD budget for the past five (5) years and increased the fund balance
by 20 million dollars over that time period
Initiated and completed a cost-savings analysis for SLPSB finances.
Provided opportunities for students to access to AP Courses via National Math and
Science Institute; Increased the qualifying scores on AP exams by 4.2 percentage
points
Acquired, implemented, and expanded Head Start and Early Head Start programs for
the past five (5)years
Increased Head Start and PreK (Early Learning) academic performance by
implementing Tier I Curriculum
PATRICK D. JENKINS
Created a District strategic plan and made significant progress in all areas of the 5-
year Strategic Plan
Expanded Academic Dual Enrollment to 9th through a partnership with LSUA
Integrated and expanded Arts Programs through a partnership with Acadiana Center
for the Arts
Created a Virtual Summer Enrichment Academy district-wide for Grades K-12
Implemented the Leader In Me (LIM) Program at 17 schools in St. Landry Parish
Implemented Augmented Virtual Reality Technology (Z Space ) in St. Landry Parish
Schools
Increased Integration of technology throughout the district and purchased additional
hardware and software programs to address the rapid growth in educational
technology needs
Partnered with Oxford and Reach University to provide a pathway for employees to
become teachers
Provided additional Arts and STEAM opportunities for all children, such as :
Expanded music programs and provided much needed instruments
Robotics
Esports
Gaming
LSUE computer science and elementary education pathways at Northwest High
school
Computer science principles AP, cyber security, and introduction to
computational thinking at our high schools
Worked to receive state funding for a truancy program for the past two years in
excess of $200,000
Many more accomplishments can be found on our district's Report to the Communities
page, https://www.slpsb.org/page/report-to-the-community. There you can see the
culmination of the school district's accomplishments during the years of my leadership
service to St. Landry Parish School District.
PATRICK D. JENKINS
To my cabinet members, executive team, principals, faculty and staff across the system.
I am truly thankful for you and for seeing our children as champions worth wrestling. I am
indebted to all of you.
However, the time has come for me to move on personally and professionally. Today, I am
announcing that I will not seek to renew my contract and will end my employment with
St. Landry Public Schools, effective June 30, 2023.
Furthermore, announcing my intentions tonight will give the board adequate time to
begin the process of finding my successor. In the meantime, I am excited and ready to
finish this spring semester strong. It is my goal to attain a DPS of a “B” again before I
leave, and I will work with each of you to do this.
In conclusion, I will quote an excerpt from Mary McLeod Bethune’s last will and
testament. “ We have the powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage
to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward GOOD ENDS.”
“ I leave you with a thirst for education. Knowledge is the prime need of the hour. I leave
you finally a responsibility to young people. The world around us really belongs to youth,
for youth will take over its future management. Our children must never lose their zeal
for building a better world. They must not be discouraged from aspiring toward
greatness, for they are to be leaders of tomorrow. Faith, Courage, Brotherhood, Dignity,
Ambition, Responsibility - these are needed as never before.”
Thank you for allowing me to lead us toward a brighter future for all children in our
communities.

2 2 23 Pjenkins Letter To Community

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PATRICK D.

337-948-3657 1013 E. Creswell Ln. Opelousas, LA 70570 www.slpsb.org

Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members,

337-948-3657 1013 E. Creswell Ln. Opelousas, LA 70570 www.slpsb.org

337-948-3657 1013 E. Creswell Ln. Opelousas, LA 70570 www.slpsb.org

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