St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Superintendent Frank Jabbia introduced a host of new administrators to the School Board on June 8, including eight new assistant principals and a key leader for the district’s Central Office.
Melissa Langlois was named Curriculum and Instruction Director of Secondary Education for the district, after serving the past two years as Supervisor of Instruction for Secondary Schools in St. Tammany. Langlois began her career in Ascension Parish schools in 2004, first as a mathematics teacher, and then moving to supervisory positions with that school district from 2011 until 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics from LSU, as well as Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Assistant principals named June 8 include:
- Heather Cockfield, Madisonville Elementary
- Leslie Gross-Smith, St. Tammany Junior High
- Melanie Hickman, Lancaster Elementary
- Liza Jacobs, Slidell High
- Daniel Lunsford, Clearwood Junior High
- Ozzie Ross Jr., Slidell High
- Lori Taylor, Fontainebleau High
- Katherine Whitlock, Madisonville Junior High
While those people were moving up in the ranks, Michael Cossé, the district’s assistant superintendent of administration, said goodbye to the School Board following a 37-year career in local education. Cossé thanked a host of people in his farewell address, many of them from Central Office where he has worked since 2004. He’s been an assistant superintendent for the past eight years.
“There have been many great times, and some OK times, as an administrator, teacher and coach,” Cossé said. “We worked diligently through Katrina, covid, Ida, and other difficult issues. I’m very proud of the many accomplishments this system has made … in terms of growth and support.”
Cossé's retirement is effective June 30. Mary Hart, a 28-year veteran in local education, was named in March as his replacement.
Brennan McCurley was named a supervisor of administration at the School Board’s committee as a whole meetings on May 11. McCurley has been a principal at five different schools in St. Tammany, acting principal at another, and assistant principal at two more district schools.
McCurley replaces Jerry Leonard, who will move into Hart’s position following her move to assistant superintendent.