2026-2027 Thrive Academy Board Meeting Schedule

The anticipated Board Meeting Schedule for the SY26-27 reflects an every 4 months rotation.

Beginning July 2025 – March 2026. Meeting will be held the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

2026-2027 Thrive Academy Board Meeting Schedule

‍ ‍

DATES:

May 17, 2023

November 15,2023

July 17, 2024

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

(Approved Minutes)

All meetings below will be hosted at noon Location is TBD.

March 19, 2025

July 30, 2025

November 19th, 2025

April 15th, 2026

July 16, 2026

November 18th, 2026

February 17, 2027

June 21, 2027



Thrive Academy Board Members

  • Rick Edmonds

    Senate Education  Committee Chair 

    sen06@legis.la.gov

  • Aly Rau

    Appointed by DCFS

    Aly.rau.dcfs@la.gov

  • Hillar Moore

    East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney

    hmoore@thrivebr.org

  • Andrea O’Konski

    Vice Chair

    East Baton Rouge School Board Representative

    aokonski@thrivebr.org

  • Adonica Pelichet- Duggan

    Louisiana Department of Education

    adonica@brallianceaction.org

  • William S. Gaudin

    Chairman

    Appointed by House Education

    sgaudin@thrivebr.org

  • Bret Hanemann

    Department of Child and Family Care Appointee

    Bret.Hanemann.DCFS@la.gov

  • Brianna Thorn

    Thrive Academy Staff Representative

    tmcghee@thrivebr.org

  • David Alexander

    LA Association of Superintendent

    dalexander@ascellc.com

Meet Our Leadership Team

  • Paul Sampson

    Superintendent

  • Melanie Holmes

    Head of School

  • Brooke Mitchell

    Associate Principal

  • Jeris Johnson

    Instructional Specialist

  • Patra Melchior

    Instructional Specialist

  • Kendrick Cooper

    Director of Digital Media

    Head Track and Field Coach

  • Jeremy Hamlet

    Director of Exceptional Student Services

  • Devon Breaux

    Athletic Director

    Head Football Coach

  • Henry Harris

    Dean of Students

  • Lauren Gonzales

    School Counselor

    District Testing Coordinator

  • Arvianna Woodland

    Director of Admissions

  • Tia Williams

    Chief Operating Officer

    Custodian of Record

  • Leslie Austin

    Director of Human Resources

  • Talaya Johnson

    Director of Student Health & Wellness

  • James Pounders

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Jatoya Booth

    Procurement Specialist

  • Cedric Wilson

    Technology Specialist

  • Cassandra Spears

    Cafeteria Manager

Meet Residential Leadership Team

  • Ronald Whicker

    Director of Residential Life

  • Tierra Harrison

    Assistant Director of Residential Life

  • Ethel Johnson

    Assistant Director of Residential Life

  • Victoria Lawson

    Dean of Students