NEWSMAKERS
January 27, 2016
Longtime Vandebilt coach passes away
January 27, 2016
Terrebonne and Lafourche school officials are celebrating passing grades on annual state school report cards, and contemplating how they can improve, helping more schools achieve academic success.
Both district’s superintendents said they are pleased with their B ratings, which surpassed the state average of 88.8. According to state Department of Education data, Terrebonne’s grade for 2014-15 was 90.5, while Lafourche earned a 95.8.
“We’re one of the top 25 district performance scores in the state, but our goal is to become an A school district and we’re not there yet, obviously,” Terrebonne Superintendent Philip Martin said. “I don’t think we can ask our teachers and kids to work harder than they are. I think they’re working very hard.
“Perhaps we need to redirect their efforts to where we’re more tightly aligned with what kids will need to know to do well on the state test,” Martin elaborated. “That’s what we’re focusing on and emphasizing right now and I do think that will contribute greatly to us moving to the A level when we have the alignment of curriculum and structured assessment all pointed to the targets established by state assessment.”
For Martin, that means more interaction through observations and evaluations tailored to each school.
“Just like there are no two children that are the same, there are no two schools that are the same,” he explained. “Some schools have greater challenges than others. That’s part of our strategy with this alignment, finding a strategy that matches with the learning styles of the kids in the school.”
Lafourche Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews said she’s proud of the B grade the district earned considering the state assessments have become increasingly more difficult. Of the 30 schools within the parish, 21 earned an A or B rating, grades she credits to at-home involvement.
“One of the things I think they’re doing well is having a lot more parental involvement,” Matthews said. “That’s really key that parents are really in there and working diligently with the students at home.”
Both superintendents said they are currently meeting with principals individually to discuss how the districts can assist and what methods need to be implemented to make sure every student is on track to greater success.
“If kids get left too far behind, catching them up is a real challenge,” Martin said. “The key is not to let that happen.”
The challenge for school districts will be to improve in the coming year while potentially faced with state funding cuts as the lawmakers seek to make up a $750 million budget shortfall. Having the dollars to fund future programs is still unknown.
“We’re definitely worried here, particularly in Lafourche Parish, with funding,” Matthews said.
“Sales taxes are down. We’re approaching a low point in sales taxes being down approximately $4 million and that’s continuing to slide plus increased cost from the retirement system.”
School districts will have a better idea what future cuts they will experience when the Legislature gathers in March.
“With so many successful schools, our teachers working hard and our many exemplary extracurricular activities such as band, sports and those types of things, it’s important that we keep it going,” Matthews said. “The budget is going to have a major impact on that.”
Martin is optimistic about Gov. John Bel Edwards’ pro-public education stance on the election trail, relying on that approach to carry over into his term.
Meanwhile, in Terrebonne, construction on the new Southdown Elementary School continues, even if other projects must be moved to the back burner until the economy is more certain.
“We’re not in a crisis, but this year, next year, down the road, we have to be prepared for what appears to be some really tough financial times ahead of us,” Martin said. “Does it have us concerned? Yes. Are we cautious? Yes. Are we panicked? No.” •
