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Earlier tonight, the Lafourche Parish School Board voted 13 to 2 to select Jarod Martin as the new Superintendent of Lafourche Parish School District.
Martin had been serving as Interim Superintendent since former superintendent Dr. Louis Voiron left on medical leave last July. Voiron subsequently agreed on a buyout to vacate the position.
“[Martin] provided great leadership when he stepped in,” said Lafourche Parish School Board President Brooke Huddleston, who cast her vote for Martin. “He said yes to the challenge that he faced.”
The other candidates were Kevin George, Chris Kimball, Dr. Charles Michel and Dr. Michael Robinson.
Board member Randy Schouest voted for Kimball, and George received a vote from Cheryl Thomas.
Jarod Martin gives remarks after being voted as the Superintendent of Lafourche Parish School District on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the the school board office building.
Martin said although he has been working with the Board as Acting Superintendent, he was still nervous prior to the vote.
“I was given an opportunity six months ago to be the Interim Superintendent, but there was no promise of future things. It was really just to be here while Dr. Voiron was out,” Martin said. “So, the thought of even applying for the position was never a thought until he wasn’t able to return.”
Martin said he’s looking forward to improving the relationships he has with the board members.
“We’ve had a good relationship over the last six months, and obviously, you always want to get better as with any family or any business,” the former Central Lafourche High School principal said. “I think the Board has a clear idea on what we want to accomplish in the future.”
Martin said the priority for the district over the next 100 days is the half-cent sales tax that will hit the ballot boxes on May 9. Money from the proposed tax will go towards increasing the salaries of Lafourche Parish School District employees.
“We have to pass the half-cent sales tax and increase teacher salaries,” Martin told the Times. “That’s the biggest challenge that we have ahead of us.”
