Timeline & Updates

Cub Family,

I hope you are enjoying a restful and relaxing summer. As we continue to rebuild, reconnect, and reset, I’m excited to share several important leadership updates that will guide us into the upcoming school year with clarity and renewed strength.

After a thoughtful and thorough search process, Miles Landry has been named our new Director of Athletics. Miles is a familiar and trusted presence on our campus, having served in multiple coaching and athletic support roles over the past decade. His energy and passion for our school and student-athletes is unmatched, and I’m excited to have him lead our athletic program.

Following the announced retirement of Jill White, who currently serves as our Dean of Students, we will be reallocating student discipline in the divisional areas under the oversight of Elementary Assistant Principal, Dr. Ellen Daugherty, and newly hired Secondary Assistant Principal, Dr. Elecia Lathon. I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Lathon to our leadership team. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the LSU School of Education, Dr. Lathon will not only bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role but will also serve as a critical link to reconnecting us to the university and our roots as a demonstration school.

Finally, in order to provide operational continuity and a much-needed course-correct, I’m pleased and honored to welcome back a seasoned administrator and an individual that help build the impeccable reputation of our elementary division, Dorothy ‘Dot’ Rumfellow. Mrs. Rumfellow will serve as the Interim Elementary Principal through December, while we re-launch the search for a permanent principal this fall. Mrs. Rumfellow faithfully served our school as the former Elementary Principal for 12 years and brings several decades of classroom and school administrative experience to the role. Her love and dedication for our school has always remained and will continue to serve us well.

In order to achieve success, it is imperative that you place the right people in the right positions. I am confident that as we move into the new school year, our students, faculty and staff are being cared for and led by an amazing team. Our work is not finished; it’s just getting started.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see you in five short weeks.

Yours in family and service,
Rob Lyles
Director, ULS

Cub Family,

Welcome back!

I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a safe, restful and relaxing summer. On behalf of the leadership team, faculty, and staff, I am so pleased and excited to welcome our students and families back to campus, and for our new families – we are excited to welcome you into the Cub Community.

Last May, I shared our goals for this upcoming year, and I want to take quick moment to remind you of the three R’s that will guide and support our vision: Rebuild, Reconnect, and Reset.

On Monday, I had the opportunity to welcome back our faculty and staff at our Fall Semester Kick-Off Assembly. I closed out the presentation by displaying an old ‘relic’ of the past that was gifted to me a few weeks ago, following a clean out of the auditorium foyer: a green brick.

This brick was one that used to make up the walls of our school prior to the extensive renovation project that took place in 2004. I feel that this brick serves as the perfect symbol for our goals and those three R’s. As I see it, each of us is a brick – independently strong, durable, and full of capabilities. However, the brick is designed to work in tandem with other bricks to build something much stronger, greater, and more powerful than the sum of its parts – whether it be a pathway, bridge, or home. Just like I said to our faculty and staff, I will say to you: each of us, as members of the Cub Community, are a brick – designed to work together to build something excellent.

We have a phenomenal team of administrators, faculty, and staff ready to welcome your children back here to learn, grow, and succeed – I am grateful, every day, to serve this amazing community and I am looking forward to an excellent year.

Go Cubs!

Yours in service and family,

Rob Lyles

Director, ULS

Cub Family,

Hopefully by now you have all settled into the groove of the new school year. If your household is anything like mine, Fall can be a very busy time. It’s easy during this fast-paced season to get distracted and lose sight of goals and objectives. One of my priorities, since arriving, has been to make much needed improvements to the cafeteria. With that, I am inviting you to click on the link below to fill out a survey regarding the cafeteria. Your feedback matters and is a critical component in our efforts to serve our students and families better.

Cafeteria Feedback Survey

Thanks in advance and Go Cubs!

Yours in service and family,
Rob

Rob Lyles, Director
University Laboratory School

Cub Family,

The annual appeal campaign will culminate on Wednesday, October 1, with our phone-a-thon event - a fun night filled with parents, alumni, faculty and administrators volunteering to reach out to the Cub Community on behalf of the U-Fund. These dollars help to supplement our affordable tuition, but more importantly, help to fund enhancements for our students, faculty and facilities. This year, in an effort to keep my promise of transparency, the administrative team has drafted a list of priorities (see link below) that I want us to begin to undertake with the use of U-Fund dollars. At first glance some of these projects may appear daunting and will certainly span throughout the next few years, but with the support of our amazing community, we can accomplish anything. As you view these priorities, please know that as Director, I will steward our resources to the best of my ability, exhausting the operating budget and seeking external grant funds, when applicable, to cover as many of these projects as possible. It’s incredibly important that you see where your funds are being spent and that a plan is in place to provide the necessary tools and opportunities our students and faculty need in order to thrive and continue the endless pursuit of excellence.

Thank U and Go Cubs!

Priority Projects

Yours in service and family,

Rob Lyles, Director
University Laboratory School

Cub Family,

I am writing today to provide an update on the school’s athletic program. Effective October 8th, Miles Landry resigned his position as U-High Athletic Director.

Beginning October 20th, Mrs. Ashley Rush will assume the role of Interim Athletic Director. Ashley, a native of Central and graduate of Central High School, was the inaugural recipient of the “Miss Softball” award in the State of Louisiana and named The Advocate’s Athlete of the Year in 1997. She continued her athletic career at Texas A&M and Louisiana State University, where she was recognized as an All-Big 12 and All-SEC performer. She was a member of three Southeastern Conference championship teams at LSU. Notably, she played on LSU’s 2001 squad—the first in school history to advance to the Women’s College World Series.

Mrs. Rush’s softball coaching career included positions at Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Kentucky. She later returned to her hometown to serve as the District Athletic Director for the Central Community School System.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Louisiana athletics, Mrs. Rush was inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2020. She is married to Gordy Rush, and together they have three children who attend U-High.

I am confident that with her skills, abilities, and experience as a student-athlete, coach, and athletics administrator, Ashley will serve our students and community well during this interim period.

My plan is to launch an open search for a permanent Athletic Director as early as December. I appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition.

Yours in service and family,
Rob

Rob Lyles, Director
University Laboratory School

Cub Family,

Building on our goals for this year, the three R’s (Rebuild, Reconnect, and Reset), I want to provide an update on personnel and the school’s organizational structure moving forward. It has been a priority since my arrival that we embrace our unique K-12 framework and provide continuity in academics, arts, and athletics, as well as school pride and traditions. In order to achieve that goal, we will be reorganizing our academic administrative structure. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, we will no longer have three separate divisional principals. In early January, we will begin advertising and searching for someone to fill the role of Associate Director/K-12 Principal. This person will act as the school’s Chief Academic Officer, leading all academic efforts. The Associate Director will have several key staff members reporting to them: an Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction for each of the Elementary and Secondary (Middle and High School) divisions, as well as a K-12 Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, who will oversee all student support services, activities, and disciplinary matters. We believe that creating this structure will best support our students, faculty, and families, and feel that it is a positive move toward the goal of a cohesive school environment. In addition to the search for a K-12 Principal in January, we will begin advertising for the permanent Athletic Director, following the resignation of Miles Landry earlier this fall.

Lastly, I’d like to announce the newest member of our administrative team, Mrs. Nikole Blanchard, who will serve as the Head of Educational Technology & Innovation. Blanchard has served at the Dunham School in a similar role since 2008 and currently serves as an adjunct professor in the LSU School of Education. She also serves as Past President for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), has been a featured speaker at Apple’s inaugural Education Symposium, and designed-tested a sustainable funding model for a one-to-one technology program, now shared with schools seeking partnerships with Apple Education. To boot, she is one of our former elementary instructors and I am excited to welcome her back home and have full confidence in her ability to develop, lead, and grow our school’s technological initiatives and advancement efforts.

Solidifying these key administrative roles will position U-High for greater achievement and set a new standard for excellence. As we continue to make progress in the three R’s, I’m excited to usher in 2026, with enthusiasm, strength and perseverance to finish the year stronger than when we started. However, vital to our success is an often forgotten fourth “R”… Rest. My hope for all of you this holiday season is to slow down and make time to rest.

See you in 2026, Cubs!

Yours in service and family,
Rob

Rob Lyles, Director
University Laboratory School

Cub Family,

I am writing to provide an update regarding tuition and fees for next school year, AY2026-27, and the following year, AY2027-28. Over the next two academic years, we will be increasing the student activity fee, as well as establishing a technology and building fee, all of which will amount to a total increase of $550 per student. In an effort to make these changes more palatable and ease any potential financial burden, we will implement phased increases over the next two years, as follows: Fee Type   Current Fee       2026-27 Increase.        2027-28 Increase

Activity Fee $200                    $50                                   $50

Technology Fee -                   $150                                  $150

Building Fee -                           $75                                   $75

Total Increase per student     $275                                $275

*please note, there will be no changes to current tuition

The University Laboratory School has historically had the unique advantage of providing an excellent education at an affordable price. However, in order to not only maintain, but improve, the level of education and services provided, we must increase funding. Below, I have provided the rationale for changes as it relates to these specific fees.

Activity Fee (current Fee $200, new fee $300 per student)

The student activity was established to provide support for ancillary programming (i.e. field trips, playground equipment, commencement, yearbooks) and has not seen an increase in over a decade. Over that time, the school has expanded student programming and has plans to continue expansion with additional offerings and opportunities. The increase to this fee will not only allow further advancement and opportunities.

Technology Fee (new fee $300 per student)

In order to fulfill our mission as a model demonstration school and center for educational innovation and research, on state’s flagship campus, we need to be equipped with the proper resources. The establishment of a technology fee will assist in providing muchneeded resources in the classroom to aid in the further development of technologyenhanced curriculum and integration. Building Fee (new fee $150 per student) The school remains a billable unit on the campus of LSU, and as such, we are responsible for most, if not all, facilities and maintenance related costs. We have several major equipment items that are reaching ‘end of life’, in addition to routine wear and tear in areas that desperately need attention. By establishing a building fee, although modest, it will help to support the annual facilities/maintenance costs of approximately $1M and assist in funding any small-to-medium scale projects.

Yours in service and family,

Rob

Rob Lyles, Director

University Laboratory School

Cub Family,

As we enter Spring Break and the final sprint toward the end of the year, I want to provide a few updates on the administrative restructuring that I announced back in December. Recall, in lieu of having three separate divisional principals, we will have a K-12 Principal and three Assistant Principals, two that will focus on curriculum and instruction for the Elementary and Secondary divisions, respectively, and one that will oversee student services and discipline. Currently, we are in the process of filling the K-12 Principal and the Elementary Assistant Principal. In addition to the two principal roles, we are also in the process of filling the position of Director of Athletics.

All three vacant positions represent a significant leadership role within the school and, as with any hire, I do not take the selection of candidates lightly. A solid leadership team is imperative to the overall success of our students, faculty, and staff. The positions have been posted since early January and, since that time, we have been actively working to recruit the most talented, experienced and knowledgeable candidates to help lead the next chapter of our school’s history. A search committee for each position has been established, and the interview processes are underway. My intent is to have all hires solidified and announced by mid-to-late April.

It is with great honor and continued privilege that I am afforded the opportunity to serve this amazing community and to support our incredible students, faculty and staff.

Enjoy the break and Go Cubs!

Yours in service and family,
Rob

Rob Lyles, Director
University Laboratory School

Cub Families, 

I am writing today to announce an exciting and significant change to the school’s brand. Early last fall, I convened a group of very passionate and dedicated individuals from our Cub Community that represented the areas of alumni, parents, academics, athletics, and the arts. This team was tasked to work alongside a highly talented and experienced Creative Director/Graphic Designer at LSU to develop a ‘refresh’ of the U-High brand.  

While this project may seem insignificant on the surface, I assure you it is not. Everyone knows our “U” but overtime we have seen far too many variations of our logo, and overall branding. A school as special and distinguished as ours deserves a consistent, strong, and meaningful brand image. Our logo, the “U”, is our visual identity that embodies the spirit, pride, and tradition of U-High. As we continue to grow and evolve as a school, it is important to signal those changes, while still honoring the past – and this ‘refresh’ of our logo, our brand, does just that. 

I am proud and excited to reveal several months of hard work and an amazing, finished product. With that, please allow me to introduce the new “U”… 

Note: As part of the recent brand refresh and our efforts to establish a more intentional dress code policy, please see the link below to the Dress Code Policy that will take effect beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Additional details and guidance will be shared soon.

Rob Lyles, Director

University Laboratory School

Cub Families,

I am writing to share some exciting news regarding the U-High cafeteria. I am pleased to announce that we have made the decision to outsource our cafeteria operations by partnering with LSU Dining and Chartwells Higher Ed. Currently, Chartwells operates all the LSU campus dining halls, retail food locations, catering, and meal plan services. I am confident that, through this partnership, we can take advantage of existing resources and opportunities, in an effort to provide superior service for our students, families, and guests.

Additionally, for those of you unable to attend this year’s Golden Gala, I am extremely proud to announce that we raised just over $60,000 during the paddle raise portion of the event, specifically earmarked for updates and modifications to the cafeteria. Below you will find concept art, courtesy of Williams Architecture, for the overall vision we are striving towards. Of course, the more funds raised, the more we will be able to accomplish. If you wish to invest in this project, we invite you to donate here. A little will go a long way toward making these enhancements a reality. As always, we appreciate your generosity and commitment to our school.

We hope to begin Phase One of the project, which will include flooring, paint and minimal remodeling, as soon as we break for the summer. Additional phases, which will include a larger remodeling effort and an outside seating area, will commence pending available funding and a timeline that will not interfere with day-to-day school operations.

The cafeteria is one of only a few locations on our campus that impacts the entire K-12 population, and I am looking forward to enhancing not only the general aesthetics, but also the service model and potential offerings as we partner with LSU.

Thank U and Go Cubs!

Yours in service and family,

Rob

Rob Lyles, Director

University Laboratory School

Cub Family, 
 
What a year!  
 
This past school year has been one marked by change, but through those changes, we have experienced growth, seized new opportunities, and continued our pursuit of excellence. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, the items below highlight examples of that pursuit… 
 
A National Merit finalist 
Two students accepted to service academies (one to the US Naval Academy and the other to West Point) 
Over 40 students who scored a 30+ on the ACT 
250 middle & high students earning a 4.0 
3 State Championships in Girls Basketball, Indoor Track & Field, and Outdoor Track & Field 
37 of our student-athletes were recognized as LHSAA all-academic, earning a 3.5 GPA or higher 
15 students signed on to athletic scholarships and will compete at the collegiate level 
Our Middle and High School Theater students earned the highest ratings in Duet, Ensemble and Solo categories at the Louisiana State Thespians Conference and are moving on to compete at the national level. 
Middle School band students participated in the LSU Stately Oaks Honor Band and traveled to the LMEA State Assessment, where they earned a perfect score 
Eight of our high school students had pieces selected for the Baton Rouge Gallery Art Show and two had their work showcased at the LSU School of Art Exhibition Gallery. 
 
In addition to these student accomplishments, we continue to refocus our mission as a laboratory school with interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with… 
 
LSU College of Engineering, in building out a robotics program,  
LSU College of Art and Design, on an eSports and game-design curriculum,  
LSU College of Human Sciences & Education, to offer a Sports Medicine elective for our high school students 
LSU AgCenter, to participate in a ‘Farm to School’ program 
LSU School of Music, through our after-school ENCORE program which offers students the opportunity to take classes in Rock Band, Percussion and Strings, all taught by LSU faculty. In addition to industry partners who specialize in Filmmaking, Acting and Screenwriting. 
 
These achievements are only a sample of how our students, faculty and staff exhibit ‘total effort in every endeavor’, day in and day out. 
 
Additionally, we had record-breaking success in our fundraising efforts through generous donations and financial support from, you, the Cub Community. Through our combined signature fundraising events, the school raised nearly $800,000. Because of this generosity, we have been able to fund programming across the whole school, such as… 
 
Classroom Instructional Materials and Supplements  
Class-specific programming (i.e. Louisiana Day, Pioneer Day, Color Wars) 
Student Recognition Events (i.e. Straight As, Honor Roll) 
Spooky Science  
8th Grade Crossover 
Career Day 
Senior Induction 
International STEAM Day 
Fine Arts Fest 
Discovery Lab Enhancements 
Professional Development for faculty/staff 
Campus Core Maintenance  
 
I am also pleased to announce ongoing projects such as… 
 
Practice Turf Field Lighting 
Digital Video Scoreboard (Cub Complex and New Gym); with accompanying HS elective to be offered next year 
Auditorium upgrades 
Cafeteria Renovation project 
 
As I close out my first full year as Director, I want to take a moment and give a special thanks to our faculty. They are the backbone of our school and help set U-High apart from any other school. We entrust them with our most precious gifts – our children – to love them, support them, and develop them into capable adults ready to lead our future. It’s one of the hardest and, sadly, underappreciated jobs and I just want to publicly recognize them for their relentless efforts and unwavering dedication. The combination of our high-achieving students, generous and supportive families, and our talented faculty and staff is what keeps me energized and so very grateful to serve this school. I began this letter with a recognition of change and when I was first appointed Director, I signaled that my focus would be on change (Rebuild, Reconnect, Reset). And we’re still in that space. My message in December outlined a new organizational structure that would help us embrace our unique K-12 framework and provide continuity in academics, arts, and athletics, as well as school pride and traditions. As a result, through the efforts of various search committees and stakeholder feedback, I am pleased to announce the hires of three key administrative positions. 
 
Ms. Maegan Brown will serve as our Assistant Director for Elementary Curriculum & Instruction 
Dr. Kim Tyler will serve as our Assistant Director for Secondary Curriculum & Instruction 
Mr. Lance Burgos will serve as our Head of Athletics 
 
For additional information about our new hires, please see: https://www.uhigh.lsu.edu/about-uls/strategic-initiatives/updates.html 
 
These individuals bring a wealth of collective knowledge and experience, and I am excited to welcome them to the U-High family as we work together to lead our school through this next chapter and our continued pursuit of excellence and total effort in every endeavor. 
 
Lastly, when I first arrived, I made a promise that every decision made is for the singular purpose of positioning U-High for greatness. I will never ‘settle’ for our school; it only deserves excellence. With that, I am pausing the search for an Associate Director/K-12 Principal. After careful thought, consideration, and ample feedback, this is the best decision for our school. Over the summer, I will be putting together a small team whose focus will be to aid me in the recruitment of K-12 Principal who possesses the specific set of traits, skills, and values, as well as someone who aligns with our school’s academic, athletic and artistic vision for the future. But rest assured, our students, faculty, staff and community are in the most excellent and capable hands with the addition of these new administrators to the leadership team.   
 
Enjoy the summer, Cubs, and we’ll see you back here in August, ready to embark on a new year and new journey. 
 
Yours in service and family, 
Rob 

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 Academic Programs & Services (chair)
• ULS Administrative 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 service 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