Timeline & Updates

Administrative Structure

To provide additional disciplinary support to Ms. Jill White, Dean of Students, for the remainder of the semester, we’ve asked Mr. John Shoptaugh to join the Dean of Students office. Mr. Shoptaugh will make 21 years of service to the University Laboratory School this summer. As a certified principal, he has held numerous roles over the years in service to ULS. We look forward to his contribution to our students’ daily life and activities as he supports their academic and personal success.

Financial Management

Interim Director Rob Lyles, accompanied by Dean Mitchell and Assistant Dean Renée Boutte Myer,  met with the University Laboratory School Foundation Executive Committee. The conversation was highly productive and helped to lay the groundwork for further financial transparency and collaborative engagement with the larger Cub Community and to refocus our efforts on high-priority fundraising. As a result of our collective efforts, we are excited about the school’s financial health and our ability to open doors to new opportunities for our amazing children and incredible faculty. 

We're launching searches for an Elementary Principal and Athletic Director.

Elementary Principal

We anticipate posting the job description and link to apply within the next week. A search committee comprised of the following representatives, will be led by Ms. Welch-James as the supervisor in her role as Interim Associate Director for Academic Programs & Services:

• Interim Associate Director for Acadmic Programs & Services (chair)
• ULS Adminstrative Representative
• Elementary Faculty Representative
• School of Education Representative
• ULS Parent Representative

The search process will consist of having the finalist(s) interview with the search committee, Elementary faculty, and the interim director – with an opportunity to engage with parents. The anticipated start date will be July 1.

 

Athletic Director

Ms. Jill White was appointed Interim Athletic Director, effective December 1, 2024. Ms. White previously served in this role from 2005 - 2023. She is well-respected among the community, a seasoned administrator, and has dedicated her career to serving the school in many different capacities. We are working to advertise, externally, for a permanent Athletic Director. We will appoint a search committee comprised of the following representatives:

• ULS Administrative Representative
• Elementary Faculty Representative
• Secondary Faculty Representative
• ULS Coaching Representative
• ULS Parent Representative

The finalist(s) will interview with the search committee, ULS Leadership, and the interim director – with an opportunity to engage with parents, students, and faculty. The anticipated start date of this position will also be July 1.

 

Elementary and Middle School Sports Programming

As a result of parental feedback - we will be piloting select Elementary and Middle School sports programming opportunities. This is a new endeavor and uncharted territory for our school, so please extend patience and grace as we navigate the nuances and challenges - as there will be many. Leading this effort will be Susan Gremillion and Adam Barrett, serving as Associate Athletic Director for Elementary and Middle School, respectively. Our goal is to provide educational opportunities and enhancements in sports in an effort to develop the ‘whole student’ from elementary through high school.

Cub Parents,

In an effort to continuously make improvements to our school, we have made minor changes to our dress code policy. While changes to our overall policies and procedures typically occur during the summer, prior to the start of the new school year, we felt that it was important to address some irregularities. Admittedly, we have fallen short in our responsibilities to adequately enforce our own dress code policy – moving forward, that will change. For the duration of the school year, faculty and administrators will begin to ‘gently’ remind our students (and parents) of the current policy and if/when they are in violation. Over the next few months, we plan to develop a more structured dress policy and will share that with you prior to the summer break so you can plan accordingly for the new school year.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and partnership.

ULS Administration

I want to take a moment to showcase, as well as to provide an update to, the school’s fundraising and development efforts. Keeping with my promise of transparency and communication, it is important to inform and educate the community on every aspect of our school and the various support and services provided. The ‘Cub community’, comprised of students, parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends boasts one of the largest donor bases on the LSU campus. One of the ways we’re able to sustain affordable tuition, while delivering high-quality education and providing enhanced extra-curricular programming, is through the generous support of that community. While support can take many different forms – in this context, I’d like to highlight our fundraising efforts. As most of you know, the school hosts its Annual Appeal campaign every fall and LSU Giving Day, held in the spring. Both campaigns serve to raise funds for unrestricted (all-purpose) expenditures separate and apart from our tuition and state-funded operating budget. In addition to those campaigns, we host the Gerald Furr Memorial Golf Classic, in honor of the late Coach Gerald Furr, a beloved educator who served ULS students for over twenty years as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director. Every dollar raised for this event serves as restricted support (project-specific) for all University Laboratory School sports programming. A newer event, currently in its fourth year, is the Golden Gala. This event, sponsored by generous Cub partners, as well as ticket sales and silent auction items, raises restricted support for Academics, Athletics, and the Arts.

To assist in the school’s fundraising endeavors, we have a rotating group of fourteen deeply committed and passionate Cub community members who volunteer their time to serve as the, newly rebranded, University Laboratory School Foundation Advisory Council. The council’s stated mission is to ‘engage the Cub Community in the acquisition and development of resources and funding, and to invest in the advancement of excellence for the students, faculty and staff at the University Laboratory School.’ In their role, council members serve in an advisory and recommending capacity to the Director and the ULS Leadership team. Membership is open to the entire Cub community, with three-year term limits. In addition to our event-specific volunteers and members of the advisory council, we have a dedicated and hard-working staff within the school’s Development Office. This team is tasked with major and mid-level donor fundraising and stewardship outside of, but in addition to, the events mentioned above. Stewardship at any school, but especially at ULS, is key – a critical element to our success – so we must set the bar high. To that end, in an effort to recalibrate and maximize fundraising potential, we will be moving in a different direction and undergoing personnel changes. Plans for an overhaul of our fundraising and advancement strategy will be forthcoming.

The collective results from these events have been able to produce countless items and experiences. While impossible to name everything, some examples include: the Kinder'GARDEN', E-Sports Lab, a new school bus, STEM enhancements, Louisiana Fest, Fine Arts Fest, spooky science, field trips, speaker series, classroom and technology upgrades, curriculum-based travel and professional development, much-needed facilities improvements and so much more. You continue to hear me say how special and unique this school is, and it’s because of you – the Cub community. The generosity of both your time and resources help to provide opportunities and growth for our children and an investment in their future. I appreciate your continued support and hope to see you at our upcoming events. Thank U.

 

Rob Lyles, Interim Director
University Laboratory School

I am emailing to share the results of our benchmark Climate Survey (2023) as well as the results from the recent, December 2024, Climate Survey. As you may recall, in January 2023, we partnered with the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education research faculty to administer a school-wide climate survey. Data was collected from ULS faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians. In December 2024, the same research team conducted another survey. These reports, attached, provide an overview of the data pertaining to areas of achievement and enhancement. 

Thank you, again, for your time and participation in these surveys - feedback from our community is paramount to the success of our school. You will notice that several of the areas in need of improvement have been identified in my initial email to the community on January 24, 2025. To continue with the promise of increased communication and transparency, we have established a page on our website to track our progress. We will continue to update this section as we work on our strategic priorities. In addition, we’ve also created a feedback form, which will be sent directly to me. As I stated before, my door is open, and I want to hear from you – please share your ideas for the future of our school.

Yours in service and family,
Rob

Rob Lyles, Interim Director
University Laboratory School

We are excited to announce the introduction of a K-12 Education Technology Specialist at ULS. This role reflects our commitment to making educational technology a priority as we continue to enhance teaching and learning experiences for both teachers and students.

The Education Technology Specialist will be dedicated to supporting staff in integrating innovative digital tools, providing professional development, and ensuring that technology is effectively leveraged to improve student engagement and outcomes. As we move forward, we will focus on expanding access to cutting-edge resources and fostering a tech-inclusive learning environment.

We will temporarily utilize Solveig Turner’s talents and passion, and expertise for educational technology to fill this role.  Thank you, Sol, for your commitment to push ULS forward through the lens of ed tech!

Thank you for your support in this exciting initiative!

Aimee Welch-James
Interim Associate Director for Academic Programs & Services

We are excited to begin the process of selecting our next Elementary Principal. The search committee has been appointed and is comprised of Aimee Welch-James as the chair and hiring manager, in addition to an administrative, lower and upper elementary, School of Education faculty, and parent representatives.

See timeline on this page above.

It goes without saying, the Elementary Principal is a critical leadership role and vital to the growth and continued success of our elementary division. We will be intentional in the selection process and ensure that the best candidate will be hired to lead our faculty and students. 

We look forward to engaging you in this process and, as always, honored to serve.

Sincerely,

Aimee Welch-James
Interim Associate Director 

Rob Lyles
Interim Director

Cub Family,

I am writing to provide a quick update on the search for our next Elementary Principal. Our search committee, led by Aimee Welch-James, has interviewed several excellent candidates this week. While it was our intent to bring in the top two to three candidates next week for further stakeholder interviews, as well as the faculty and parent town halls, I have made the decision to pause and reschedule for a time after spring break. We are continuing to receive applications, worthy of review by the search committee, and I want to ensure that we leave no stone unturned in our search.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. It is critical that we exercise our due diligence in selecting the next ULS Elementary Principal.

Looking forward to seeing you all tonight, at the Golden Gala.

Yours in service and family,

Rob
Interim Director, ULS

The search committee for the Elementary Principal, led by Aimee Welch-James, has conducted ten interviews over the last few weeks. The committee was charged with moving the top two candidates to the next, and final, round of interviews. See full schedule at top of this page.

Monday, April 28 - Kelly Savant

• 3:30 p.m. - Faculty Town Hall
• 5:15 p.m. - Parent Town Hall

Wednesday, April 30 - Maegan Brown

• 3:30 p.m. - Faculty Town Hall
• 5:15 p.m. - Parent Town Hall

The Elementary Principal is a critical leadership position for our school - one that will be charged with caring for our youngest student population, in addition to supporting and developing our faculty. It is for these reasons that I am asking for your engagement during these presentations. As a parent, I know how valuable your time can be, especially during the week, but please make every effort to attend and participate.

As a follow-up, there will be a link on the website for you to provide feedback on each candidate. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school.

Cub Family,

I am very much looking forward to seeing you, tonight and Wednesday, for the Elementary Principal town hall meetings with the two finalists. Your participation and feedback during this process is greatly appreciated, in addition to being a critical component in the selection of this position. With that, I'm resending the two candidates' resumes and the interview times (NOTE - check your email from 4/28/25). In addition, I've included a link to the feedback survey to be filled out after each town hall. Please note that the link will also be located on the ULS website under 'About Us/Strategic Initiatives'. 

These are exciting times for our school and your continued passion, dedication and support is imperative to its success. 

Yours in serve and family,
Rob
Interim Director, ULS

Elementary Principal Feedback Survey

Elementary Principal Search Update

After an exhaustive search, which included ten interviews and town hall meetings with two finalists, we have regrettably not landed on the right individual to lead our elementary division. This is certainly not the news that I had hoped to share as our school year ends, but I want you to know the importance of this decision and our conscious desire to find the very best – which is who and what our students, faculty and parents deserve. An updated timeline on when we will resume the search and our plan for interim leadership will be forthcoming.

Athletic Director Search Update

An expanded search committee consisting of representatives from the elementary and secondary faculty, coaching staff, ULS administrative team, LSU Athletic Training program, and parents, interviewed five candidates for the position of Athletic Director. I asked the committee to move forward the top two candidates to serve as finalists. As a result, I am asking for your support and participation for an in-person town-hall-style presentation, followed by a brief Q&A. The schedule will be as follows:

Monday, May 19, 2025 | ULS Auditorium
5:45 – 6:30 | Miles Landry
6:45 – 7:30 | Joe Spencer

Following the presentations, please complete the feedback survey listed here.

Dear Cub Community,

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Rob Lyles has been named the next Director of the University Laboratory School. He will officially assume the role on June 1, 2025.

Appointed as Interim Director in January 2025, Rob hit the ground running. In his short tenure, he made hard, swift, and needed changes – from administrative restructuring, strategic personnel decisions, and redeployment of resources, to helping usher in a resurgence of philanthropic support – in addition to an unprecedented level of transparency and communication. As a pragmatic thinker equipped with a matter-of-fact approach, Rob brings a different perspective to the University Laboratory School. While he is not an educator by trade, he is a skilled and reputable administrator with over fifteen years of experience on the LSU campus. By focusing the director role on the systematic, financial, and philanthropic success of the school and the appointment of Mrs. Aimee Welch-James as the school’s Associate Director and Chief Academic Officer, supported by the senior leadership of Dr. Ellen Daugherty and Mr. Stacy Bradford, the school will be positioned for maximal success.

Rob began his career at LSU in a finance and accounting role for the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, a $20+ million DHS/FEMA funded sponsored project, housed under the university’s Office of Research & Economic Development. Under the Office of Academic Affairs, he served on the initial administrative team for LSU Online, helping to establish and grow what has now become a multi-million-dollar enterprise. It’s through his service in the various roles and departments over the years that has equipped him with the needed experience to navigate and build relationships across the university. Over the past ten years, Rob has worked in the College of Human Sciences & Education Dean’s office, currently serving as the Senior Assistant Dean of Administration. In this role, Rob oversees all financial, human resources, and administrative operations for the college, which encompasses five degree-granting schools, four centers and institutes, the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool and the University Laboratory School.

Rob and his wife, Stephanie, are proud alums of the University Laboratory School. Following in the footsteps of his family, Rob attended all thirteen years, followed by his brothers and, presently, two children. His passion, dedication, and love for the school is evident in all that he says and does. Needless to say, he is invested in the future and further success of the University Laboratory School.

With Rob’s unique combination of experience in leadership, working knowledge of the university, and his deep connection to the school, I am confident that the students, faculty, staff, and Cub Community are in the best, and most capable, of hands. His novel approach, while preserving storied traditions, uniquely qualifies him to be an exceptional leader of the University Laboratory School.

Yours in service,  
Roland 

_________
Roland Mitchell, PhD
E.B. "Ted" Robert Endowed Professor
Dean, LSU College of Human Sciences & Education
Louisiana State University
1131 Huey P. Long Field House

Cub Family, 

What an honor and privilege to serve as your next Director of the University Laboratory School. I’m grateful for the opportunity to shepherd an institution that is a two-time National Blue-Ribbon awardee, home to National Board-Certified faculty, students that have a 100% college-acceptance rate and earned over $16M in scholarships – that averages a 3.8 GPA. I’ve said in past messaging and will reiterate again and again – ULS is home, and I will do all that I can to protect, nurture, and respect that home. Our students, faculty, staff, and community are what makes ULS home, and I’m truly blessed and excited to lead us through this next chapter. 

This school year has seen more changes, and more ups and downs, than perhaps any other year in recent history. Change is tough, and we often question why – but there is a reason. Change can make us better, stronger. It causes us to look inward and reflect but also helps us to look outward and dream. So, to the question I’ve been asked repeatedly since I arrived back in January – where are we headed? What is my vision for ULS? In the short-term, the answer is simple. Three R’s: Rebuild, Reconnect, and Reset. 

Rebuild 
We’ve had to make hard decisions over the past few months. Sometimes you have to uproot in order to make room for growth. I don’t want ULS to be good, I want it to be great, and we will be. We have an incredible foundation with great bones. However, there are some areas needing attention. Over the next year, I plan to continue to address those areas of need: resource optimization, financial transparency, discipline, fundraising, facilities upgrades, etc. In doing so, I’m confident we will set ourselves up to reach a level of excellence we all desire and are more than capable of achieving. 

Reconnect 
Our school was founded as a K-12 demonstration (laboratory) school. Our focus should be on student outcomes through research, teacher training, and the demonstration of innovative teaching practices. As a laboratory school, we have the added benefit of being part of a research-intensive university. We have strayed somewhat from that connection – which goes beyond that of the LSU School of Education. It connects us to Computer Science & Engineering, School of Music, Athletic Training in the School of Kinesiology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, LSU Athletics and more. We will lean into our foundational beginnings, re-establish and grow our connections to LSU, allowing our students and faculty to be part of cutting-edge innovation, training, professional development, and to utilize the expertise that has been sitting right across the street. 

Reset 
Who are we? What do we want to be known for? What will be our legacy? We have a storied history that has shaped our school and the students, faculty, and staff that have and will walk the halls of ULS. We have achieved success in academics, athletics, and are quickly making our presence known in the arts. We need to work together, as a community, to define who we are and tell our story. We will be great in all areas. We will continue to achieve more than just success; we will achieve excellence – but we have to do it together, as Cubs. That’s what sets us apart, what makes us unique. It’s that familial bond that drives us, sustains us, and instills the pride we have in our school. 

It's easy to say these things, but I am someone that walks the walk. This summer, the leadership team and I will be working hard at planning, preparing, and setting the stage to accomplish these goals. It’s not enough to just say ‘total effort in every endeavor’, we must show it. 

Enjoy the summer Cubs, we will see you all back here in August, as we start this new chapter together. 

 

Yours in service and family, 
Rob Lyles 
Director, ULS