Board Honors Principal, School for Score

By Bobby Ardoin

Board honors principal, school for score

VILLE PLATTE The Evangeline Parish School Board on Wednesday recognized the principal and faculty of W.W. Stewart Elementary School in Basile for the four-star ranking in school accountability test scores.

Christine Bacon and her faculty were presented with a special banner by Superintendent Rayford Fontenot for their exemplary score of 125.8.

To put the score in perspective, the state is giving school districts until the year 2014 to reach 120.

Stewart Elementary is one of only 52 public schools to achieve a four-star ranking.

We are proud of the school staff for their accomplishments. It took real leadership, teamwork and a real commitment and dedication to education, Fontenot said, announcing that a special program will be held soon to honor the teachers and students.

Bacon thanked her teachers and community for their support, and told the School Board their next goal is to attain a five-star rating.

In other business, the board viewed a presentation from James Stephens Montessori School Principal Sheila Ardoin. This is the first year of the school which targets pre-school children using the Montessori instruction method. The school has 89 students ranging in age from 3 to 5 years.

Also, the school OKd the implementation of a Special Skills Certificate for students with special needs to receive at graduation time. Administrator Janis Landreneau said these certificates would be earned by students who are unlikely to obtain the proper number of points to graduate. The requirements would include being at least 18 and having gone through four years of high school and learning an employment skill.

School Board Member Wayne Dardeau said he was concerned about the durability of the latest batch of computer work stations being used in classrooms. Dardeau said he was informed the computer cases and monitors appear to be made of cheaper or less durable materials.

A spokesperson for the technology department said all the computers purchased by the board met bid specifications and there were no reports of any problems.

Currently there are 173 hurricane evacuee students from a high of 380 students.

In other action, the School Board:

Appointed Darwin Lazard as new Elementary Education Supervisor.

Received a report that reorganization and consolidation expenses have totaled $3.7 million through November.

Re-elected Peggy Forman as president and Gervis Lafleur as vice president for another year.