Parish schools earn national recognition; School Board talks crisis safety

Four high schools in Evangeline Parish have been recognized nationally for their achievements, according to Superintendant Darwan Lazard during the school board meeting Wednesday.
Superintendent Lazard said, “I don’t remember a time when we’ve had all four of our high schools to be recognized, and I think that is a testament to the fine people we have working in our schools, with the administration, the teachers, and everybody on those four campuses, for them to receive that recognition.”
Interim supervisor Johnny Deshotel recognized the schools, which were ranked and featured in the US News and World Report. He said schools are ranked on their performance on state required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for college. Each school received a certificate, except for Ville Platte High, who received a plaque, because it was their first time being recognized in that category. Basile High was ranked 158 in Louisiana. Mamou High was ranked 102. Pine Prairie High was ranked 162. Ville Platte High was ranked 111.
The board further heard from Philip Buller who gave an overview of the crisis management plan. Board member Mike Fontenot requested the overview because of the recent bomb threat made at Mamou High. “Apparently things didn’t run as smoothly as possibly,” said Fontenot. “It took quite a while before we had anyone from central office on the scene. Kids were stuck outside for three or four hours.” He asked Buller, “What are we doing to get all these administrators up to speed to where we don’t have those hiccups anymore?”
Buller said crisis management plans are required by state law and all the schools have plans. Each school is asked to designate a crisis team leader. “The last direction we have received was back in 2015 through the Department of Homeland Security.” He said the state put out a school emergency planning guide, and all the crisis team leaders were trained at the time and had the guide in their possession. “We do monthly drills and searches, and we are also required to have threat assessment done any time a threat is made. As far as the training, we were able to get a Bureau of Justice administration grant a year ago.”
Buller also said they have been working with a group, Fidelis, assisting them with the Stop School Violence grant. Fidelis conducted a comprehensive vulnerability assessment on all school campuses and central office campuses. All schools had a crisis management plan. The group met with the crisis leaders, reviewed the plans, and created a new template, which is more standardized. They rolled it out on June 3. They are currently going through situational awareness training. They also developed threat-assessment protocol. Buller said they are also doing monthly walk-throughs of the campuses to take the vulnerability assessment information and share it with the schools and see the schools improve month-by-month, putting themselves in a less vulnerability situation.
Fontenot asked superintendent Lazard, “Is there any plan to have meeting with local authorities to plan together so we don’t have any kind of problems like we have at this last incident in Mamou?”
Lazard said, “When they do their training and drills in the beginning of the year, it is in conjunction with local law enforcement. So that should be in place already.” He said if Buller suggested they need more training with law enforcement, they can do that.
Fontenot asked if there is an active shooter drill in place. Buller said that is in the crisis management plan. Fontenot asked if that has been shared with local law enforcement so they can plan if something happens. Buller said they are invited at the beginning of the school year to have input and the plan is shared with them. “Any input they would have, we would surly appreciate it.” Fontenot said, “I know the sheriff’s office has not received any active shooter plan, and they’ve requested already several times.” Buller said the sheriff’s office participated in 2013 and there was some coordination then.
In other action, the board approved the use of the Ville Platte High logo on Evangeline Bank & Trust Company of Ville Platte’s debit cards.
The board also said goodbye to Jason Hazelton, maintenance supervisor, and wished him success in his new endeavors. They also thanked him for his work and service to the district. Hazelton thanked the board for supporting them in all their projects.