The Evangeline Parish School Board met via Zoom Wednesday where they named Nick Chaumont as acting board member in place of Dr. Bobby Deshotel who recently passed away. Chaumont was requested by Joella Deshotel, Dr. Bobby’s wife. Before the meeting, the board held a moment of silence for Dr. Deshotel.
Board president Wayne Dardeau said they needed to appoint someone to take Dr. Deshotel’s place within 20 days or the governor would appoint someone. He said Joella, along with her son, Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, spoke highly of Chaumot. The swearing in will be at the next board meeting. Chaumont is from the Basile area. He will retain his seat in the interim, until the next election on November 3rd. Qualifying for the school board seat will be July 15-17.
Superintendent Darwan Lazard said Dr. Deshotel served the Evangeline Parish School Board over five decades. “His services are certainly remarkable in the state of Louisiana. We thank God for his family and the sacrifices they’ve made for those years.” He also gave an official welcome to Chaumont.
In other comments, Lazard said they are monitoring the weather and taking precautions over the next few days. He participated in a weather webinar with Liz Hill from the Office of Emergency Preparedness where they are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Cristobal. “I don’t know what we’re going to experience. We’re going to be as prepared as we can and make sure we have sand bags for those low spots on campuses.”
Lazard said he participated in an LPB (Louisiana Public Broadcasting) webinar along with the district’s leadership team. LPB is offering to help educate students in certain subject areas on their station.
According to Lazard, because the state is moving into Phase II of reopening, they are resuming some level of involvement in athletics. However, he cautioned principals and coaches to make sure they follow guidelines so there is no liability to the system, “and even more importantly, no one’s health is compromised.” He added, “I know it’s going to be tough when you’re used to doing things a certain way for such a long time as we have, and change can be difficult. Our goal is to keep our coaches safe, our school athletes safe, and all of their family members safe.”
Lazard went on to say there will not be “any merit-based pay to any employee because we did not complete the school year.”
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Nancy Duplechain
Associate Editor