STEAM Advisory Board
Thank you to everyone who applied to serve on the District Advisory Board for the St. Martin Parish Magnet Academies. The application window closed on August 17, 2025. We appreciate the strong interest and support from our community
Front Row Left to Right: Corky Matthews, Alberta Charles, Ryan Denise Williams, Brittany Manuel, Trisheena Celestine, Elleanor Batiste, Shekia Garrick, Nicole Angelle, Erin Gray, Christine Foster, Ricky Martin Back Row Left to Right: Jon Downs, Angela Allen, Alainey Smith, Crystal Rapinchuk, Markela Robertson, Tyler Patin, Jessica Wiltz, Sandra Billeaudeau, Erica Pitre Not Pictured: Aurore Ballengee, Brandon Ballengee, Sabrina Belaire, Leah Landry, Bree Sargent
About the Magnet Academies Program STEAM Advisory Board
The District is committed to building strong partnerships that support the success of the STEAM Magnet Academies. To enhance community involvement and long-term planning, the District established a STEAM Advisory Board, along with school-level subcommittees for each magnet school.
The STEAM Advisory Board is made up of parents, educators, community members as well as local arts and STEM and STEAM-focused organizations who share a commitment to student success in STEAM education. Also represented are school administrators and staff and members from the District Leadership Team. Members will collaborate to support the schools, promote unique learning experiences, and help ensure the magnet program remains strong for years to come.
Our inaugural meeting took place on September 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the St. Martin Parish School Board Room.
For more details on the application process, meeting schedules or additional inquiries, please contact the Magnet Coordinator, Dr. Jon Downs at jon_downs@saintmartinschools.org
Board Responsibilities and Duties
The board will play an important role in supporting and promoting our STEAM Magnet Academies by:
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Provide feedback and recommendations to strengthen the magnet program
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Promoting STEAM programs and events
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Volunteering and supporting school activities
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Helping expand STEAM industry and community partnerships
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Assisting with long-term planning, growth, and sustainability
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Supporting the development of extracurricular activities
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Collaborating with district and school leaders on program implementation, progress, and academic alignment
Advisory Board Members
🔹Angela Allen (Bus Driver, Community Member)
🔹Aurore Ballengee (Partner in STEAM, Owner of Atelier de la Nature)
🔹Brandon Ballengee (Partner in STEAM, Owner of Atelier de la Nature)
🔹Elleanor Batiste (LDF Representative)
🔹Sabrina Belaire (Parent of M-to-M Student)
🔹Alberta Charles (LDF Representative)
🔹Brittany Manuel (Partner in STEM - First Solar)
🔹Ricky Martin (Community Partner, Chief of Police)
🔹Shekia Garrick (Community Partner, Parent of Student, Secretary of Chief)
🔹Leah Landry (Parent of M-to-M Student)
🔹Tyler Patin (Partner in STEM - Architecture)
🔹Markela Robertson (Parent of Zoned Student)
🔹Bree Sargent - Chair (Partner in Arts - AcA)
🔹Alainey Smith - Vice Chair (Parent of Zoned Student)
🔹Ryan Denise Williams (Partner in Arts)
Angela Allen
Aurore Ballengee
Brandon Ballengee
Elleanor Batiste
Sabrina Bellaire
Alberta Charles
Brittany Manuel
Ricky Martin
Shekia Garrick
Leah Landry
Tyler Patin
Markela Robertson
Bree Sargent
Alainey Smith
Ryan Denise Williams
Minutes & Agendas
About the Subcommittees
Each magnet school will have its own advisory subcommittee, made up of members from the main Advisory Board. These groups will work closely with school leadership to:
- Support school-based events and activities
- Encourage family and community participation
- Provide input on program improvements
- Strengthen partnerships between the schools and local organizations