Ville Platte Rotary Club Hears New School Program

June 28, 2016

       The Ville Platte Rotary Club today(Tuesday) heard from School Superintendent Toni Hamlin and her guests discuss a new school program designed to have more students earn a high school diploma. 

       Roxanne West, Supervisor of Special Education, said the new program is called “community based employment”. She said the goal is give students with disabilities a job training skill and leave school with a high school diploma.

     Kelly Lafleur, Ville Platte High Principal, announced she has taken special training to help train students to prepare for the work force through a “customer service” course.

    Tracy Jagneaux, Ville Platte High teacher and coach will be working directly with students in this new program. Initially, the program will be targeting 5-10 students at Ville Platte High and later will expand to students at Mamou and Pine Prairie.  Jagneaux is asking business owners in the Ville Platte area to permit some of these students to come work to gain important work and business skills. The students will not be paid by the businesses. He is also asking business leaders for input on how to improve the program and to spread the word to other businesses about this program. He said the ultimate goal is to educate and train the students to be productive and tax paying citizens.

    This was out going Rotary Club President Mitch Fontenot’s final program. Beginning in July, new club President Peter Strawitz will begin his administration and conducting the weekly club meetings.