Local authorities lead safety sessions for teachers

The Terrebonne Parish School Board recognized both the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Houma Police Department for conducting active shooter drill workshops and simulations for the school district employees this past summer.

“Sandy Hook was a wakeup call for me and the school system,” said school district Superintendent Philip Martin. “Out of every tragedy, good can come.”

Martin praised both departments for helping the district review its in-house emergency rules and procedures for such critical incidents and for planning and conducting the training simulations.

“Hundreds of our employees attended on their own time,” Martin said. “We can’t keep our heads in the sand. This could happen anywhere.

“These were some of the most impressive, thorough, organized trainings I have ever seen. These trainings provided teachers with a sense of security.”

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter and Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis were on hand to accept the awards on behalf of their respective departments.

“Sheriff Larpenter is a longtime friend of the Terrebonne Parish School System,” Martin said. “He is passionate about his work to keep the community safe. He takes it personally. He doesn’t like bad guys. He likes and is good at his job. His officers help provide security on our larger campuses and high schools.

“Any time I ask Jerry for something, he asks me what I want and when do I need it before I even finish asking.”

“Today’s world is changing and becoming more violent,” Larpenter said as he received his award. “I would love to hear comments from teachers 30 years from now. I hope we are never faced with a critical incident in Terrebonne Parish. We are all on the same page now in the parish.”

“Professional, courteous, detailed – these are words that come to my mind when I think of the police chief,” Martin said as Duplantis received his award. “These men care about people.”

“This is the first award I have received as police chief,” Duplantis said. “It will be on my desk tomorrow. In wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, Philip wanted to put plan a in place.

“We attended training in New Orleans and brought it back here to teach. This took all three departments working together.”

The two leaders also recognized TPSO Capt. Tim Sonnier, a former U.S. Marine who helped to plan and present the training sessions.

“He is the best training instructor in the state,” Duplantis said.

“I’m glad I can still serve my country,” Sonnier said as he took his turn addressing the board.

Clifton J. Stoufflet of Houma addressed the board in regard to school warning lights along area roadways and the procedure for members of the public wishing to address the board.

“I see people speeding through school zones all the time, and warning lights are part of the problem,” Stoufflet said. “They flash at night, on weekends, holidays and during the summer. I met with Philip Martin, and he agreed something needed to be done. And here it is, early August.

“Please fix the lights. It would help the motoring public and law enforcement, and they will know what to do and when to do it. There needs to be a master switch for holidays.”

According to Stoufflet, he contacted Martin several times after their initial meeting to follow up, but never heard back from the school district office. Martin acknowledged that he did meet with Stoufflet, and that an answer to the problem is being sought.

“The problem is not as simple as it may seem,” Martin said. “We don’t own the lights. We have addressed it, but it has not been resolved yet. We will find a solution, and we will start with the Buildings, Food Service and Transportation Committee.”

Stoufflet also voiced his frustration with the amount of time between applying to address the board and actually addressing the board, citing the Terrebonne Parish Council’s process of filling out a speaker card right before a meeting.

“It’s ridiculous that when a problem surfaces, I have to wait 27 days to address the board,” he said.

Board member Gregory Harding quickly addressed the matter.

“Superintendent Martin, if someone has a matter they would like to bring to the board, can they call you before then?” Harding asked.

“Yes they can,” Martin confirmed.