[CharterSchools] Board Member Focus: Honorable Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux

[charterschools at LACharter.org]

Board Member Focus: Honorable Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux
Lake Charles Charter Academy andSouthwest Louisiana Charter Academy
 
“A true leader hasthe confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and thecompassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be aleader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of hisintent.” 
—Douglas MacArthur
 
How did you become involved?
I am the President of two non-profit Boards which governtwo K-8 charter schools, Lake Charles Charter Academy and Southwest LouisianaCharter Academy.  Our high school,Lake Charles College Prep, will open in August 2014.  My involvement in mentoring and leadership developmentprograms with the 100 Black Men of Metro Lake Charles, while helpful,demonstrated the need to develop a more systemic 
approach to address problemsof educational inequality and unequal access to quality education.  A group of community activistsapproached the 100 Black Men, and I was appointed to chair a committeeinvestigating the feasibility of a charter school.  After three years of study, we interviewed three educationmanagement companies to assist us in preparing the application and in managingthe school once it was approved. We selected Charter Schools USA which is headquartered in FortLauderdale, Florida.  BESE approvedour application for Lake Charles Charter Academy in December 2010 and forSouthwest Louisiana Charter Academy in December 2012.  Using tax-exempt bond financing, the Charter Boards havebuilt a nine million dollar facility to house Lake Charles Charter Academy andare now completing another nine million dollar facility to house SouthwestLouisiana Charter Academy.  LakeCharles Charter Academy has 872 students in K-8 grades with a waiting list, andSouthwest Louisiana Charter Academy has approximately 700 students in gradesK-7 (grade 8 will be added in August 2014).
 
Why did you say "yes"when asked to serve?
In my view, educational parity and economic equality arethe new civil rights struggle. They are so intimately connected to each other.  While some advocate that the way toimprove education is to eliminate poverty, I think the better view is that theway to eliminate poverty is to improve education.  Further, I am very active in the community and am highlyknowledgeable regarding our local culture and social mores.  This was an excellent opportunity toexploit that knowledge of the local psyche.
 
What was compelling about theopportunity?
The most compelling attraction was to change the method bywhich public education is delivered in Calcasieu Parish.  I, along with our focused Board, wasappalled at the number of underperforming and academically unacceptable schoolsin our district.  For example,there are 10 underperforming or failing schools within a 5 mile radius of ourtwo charter schools.  Eightypercent of the student bodies of those schools are minority students who havebecome mired in a failing bureaucratic system with no place to go.  Our district has 33,000 students;11,600 of those students are Black students; approximately 58% of thatpopulation is attending failing or underperforming schools.  If that is not motivation to dosomething about a problem that will persist for generations, what is?
 
What leadership roles have you hadwhile serving on the Board?
In addition to being President of both Boards, I am theChief Judge of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal which isheadquartered in Lake Charles.  Itis the largest appellate court in the State, covering twenty-one parishes.  I am the immediate past Chair of theBoard of Trustees of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.  I am the current Chair of the Conference of Court of AppealJudges in Louisiana and the past President of the National Council of Chief Judgesof State Courts of Appeal.  I amalso the co-founder of SWLA Center for Health Services, a large federallyqualified health center in Lake Charles which serves 15,000 patients and has 18medical providers.  I am also amember of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the CalcasieuAssociation for Retarded Citizens. 
 
Is there anything that you wishyou had known before?
First, there are many myths and misconceptions that arepervasive within the community at large regarding charter schools.  Second, an important Board function inpursuing marketing, public relations, and good media relations vis-a-vischarter schools.  Third, an enormouscommitment of energy and time is required if one is going to be an effectiveBoard member.
 
“Judge Thibodeaux isconsistently professional, thoughtful, engaging and collaborative in heading upour board. Most importantly he can always be counted on to put our studentsfirst!” -Mr. MarkBoniol, Board Member and Chair of the Marketing & Public Relations Committee
 
“Judge Gene Thibodeaux is one of the most knowledgeable,energetic, and enthusiastic board members that I have ever had the pleasure ofknowing. His passion and commitment to the success of our school makes my jobso much easier.” - Dr. Pamela S. Quebodeaux, Principal



The Top Shelf
The success of a charter school hinges largely on the decisions of its governing board. The Top Shelf enhances the capacity of charter school boards through professional development, board recruitment and community engagement. 

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