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State Representative Rhonda Butler (left) is pictured as she announces the formation of two Star Academies in Evangeline Parish. Among those pictured in the foreground are (from left) Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Board Attorney Betsy Jackson, Board Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur, and Assistant Superintendent Michael Lombas. (Photo courtesy of Debby Lawson)
By: TONY MARKS
Editor
State Representative Rhonda Butler, during the Evangeline Parish School Board meeting on Wednesday, June 7, announced Mamou Junior High and Bayou Chicot Elementary have been designated at Star Academies.
Representative Butler, who also announced the creation of the Evangeline Parish Economic Authority, said, “If we’re going to bring people here, they’re going to want some exceptional schools.”
Because of Representative Butler’s connections across the state and in the state capitol, she was offered the opportunity to receive a $3 million grant for a Star Academy in the parish.
According to Representative Butler, the Star Academies use STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) models. “They come into your school and take over your junior high,” she said. “The Star program’s school within a school model includes all classroom equipment, furnishings, materials, and a comprehensive year round on site support system along with professional development.”
She continued, “Kids who are disengaged and are behind are brought up two to three levels and are entered into college preparedness.”
One criteria for the academies is it has to be at the largest school in the parish, according to Representative Butler. However, because of Evangeline Reimagine Academy beginning this coming school year, the next largest school in the parish is Mamou Junior High.
Initially, the parish was approved for one Star Academy, however, as Representative Butler explained, Superintendent Darwan Lazard requested to add another academy at Bayou Chicot Elementary as he was signing the required documentation.
“I’m so proud for the children here in this parish,” Representative Butler exclaimed.
She went on to say, “The biggest challenge we face in this state is we lose our junior high kids for some reason. If we can retain them and keep these kids here and give them the knowledge they need to go forward, then we should do everything possible to make our schools the best they can be.”
Superintendent Lazard said, “I’m so grateful for the awesome partnership that we have with (Representative Butler) and the work she has done on behalf of the Evangeline Parish School District."
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