New superintendent

Published 6:00 am Thursday, March 8, 2018

It was a standing room-only crowd as the six candidates for Iberia Parish Superintendent waited Wednesday. 

There was no need for a runoff Wednesday night when current Iberia Parish Assistant Superintendent of Schools Carey Laviolette secured the eight votes she needed to become the newly elected Iberia Parish Superintendent of Schools. 

“I’m elated and excited for the challenge,” Laviolette said after the 8-6 vote. 

James Gray was Laviolette’s closest contender for the position with six votes. Gray and Laviolette were the only two candidates receiving votes from the board in the meeting.

Laviolette will succeed Iberia Parish Superintendent of Schools Dale Henderson, who is retiring June 30.

Laviolette addressed the board and a standing room-only crowd after the decision was made.

The parish’s next superintendent said she had a four-point plan to focus on as she transitions into her new role.

Keep our student and faculty safe.

Become an A school district.

Work with the finance office to whittle down the budget.

Make and employee salary adjustment.

 Laviolette said she is willing to work on those points to build a strong district. 

“A strong system attracts business with business comes families moving to the area and children,” Laviolette said. 

“I will not let you down I look forward to this partnership,” Laviolette told the packed room.  

One partnership that has been constant during Laviolette’s career is her working relationship with Henderson. Henderson said that they have assisted each other in their careers for the past four decades. 

“I am very proud of Mrs. Laviolette and I know that she will make an outstanding superintendent,” Henderson said.

The vote in last night’s meeting was as follows.

District 1- Nursey McNeal: James Gray.

District 2 – Elvin Pradia: James Gray.

District 3 – Jessie McDonald: Carey Laviolette.

District 4 – Thomas Jolivet – James Gray.

District 5 – Robbie LeBlanc: Carey Laviolette.

District 6 – Kim Lockett: James Gray.

District 7 – Dan LeBlanc: Carey Laviolette.

District 8 – Edwin Buford Jr.: Carey Laviolette.

District 9 – Dana Dugas: Carey Laviolette.

District 10 – Rachel Segura: James Gray.

District 11 – Kathleen Rosamond: Carey Laviolette.

District 12 – The Rev. Arthur Alexander: James Gray.

District 13 – Danny Segura: Carey Laviolette.

District 14 – Kenric Fremin: Carey Laviolette.

School Board members also discussed travel pay at Wednesday night’s meeting. 

LeBlanc brought up the issue after making board members aware that they are $1,660 in the negative when it comes to their travel budget. Three board members want to attend the National School Board Association conference.  

After registration fees, Leblanc suggested those who want to attend should pay for any other expenses out-of-pocket. Some School Board members — Rosamond and Segura — believe, though, the board shouldn’t travel at all because the budget is tight. 

Rosamond said if teachers are cutting back and not traveling, the board should not either as an issue of morale.   

Pradia, School Board first vice president, said the board pays $25,000 to be members of the state and national school board associations. He said it doesn’t make sense to not go and collect the information made available at these conferences and bring it home.  

Alexander agreed with Pradia and suggested the board be willing to send the superintendent and at least one delegate from the board to the conference. 

At the end of the discussion the board voted to approve adjusting the budget by $2,000 to get rid of the negative balance and to have a policy agreement drawn up for a future meeting that will outline what procedures will apply to how to determine travel among the board members.

Another agenda item included Legal Counsel Wayne Landry clarifying a policy regarding per diem reimbursement for board members. Landry said gratuity should not be reimbursable with tax dollars. 

He also said that giving gratuity is an act that should be paid for by the individual. 

Finally, a check in the amount of $9,500 was given to the Iberia Parish School System on behalf of the Louisiana School Board Association Foundation for restoring schools after the flooding Aug. 16, 2017.