Evangeline Parish public school student enrollment showed an increase in the final enrollments on October 2 according to Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard. The school superintendent told members of the school board Wednesday that there are 6001 students enrolled in parish schools as compared to the earlier count of 5985 students. Mamou High is the largest school with 818 students followed closely by Ville Platte High with 806. Bayou Chicot is the largest elementary school with 736 students.
In other business, Lazard said he attended a meeting with school leaders and public officials to learn more about the new accountability program. He said most leaders are upset over the proposed changes. The current means of testing students are showing 43 percent of all schools in the state are rated with an “A” or “B” grade. In fact, 10 of the 11 schools in Evangeline Parish this past year were either ranked A or B. It was predicted that once the new accountability program kicks in, 45 percent of all schools in the state will drop to a “D” grade. The public will become upset with the drop in grades because they will not understand that the state is using a different instrument or a different form of evaluation to arrive at the grade.
It was also announced at Wednesday’s meeting that the newly constructed Teacher Training and Technology building is substantially complete located next to the school board building on Tee Mamou road. The building will begin to be staffed today. The superintendent announced that a grand opening is planned in the near future for the general public to come and tour the new facility.
In other action, the school board:
--approved the price quote of Joey West construction of $9,900 to make repairs to the Pine Prairie High stadium bleachers;
--approved payment of $80,945 for payment to Pat Williams construction for a new multipurpose building at W.W. Stewart Elementary in Basile.