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Terrebonne School District Superintendent Philip Martin was awarded a two-year extension to his contract last Tuesday in a 7-2 vote among school board members. This time will be added to the two years remaining on his current contract. Martin is in his third term as the top administrator for local public schools.
The two objections to this move came from newly elected board members Debi Benoit and Brenda Babin. While each woman said they supported Martin and think he is doing a good job, they objected to the contract renewal because they have not had time to evaluate his performance and did not want a rubber stamp action by board members on a topic of this magnitude.
In his approved request, Martin said all terms of his current contract, including an annual base wage of $134,500 would remain the same. When asked after the meeting if the timing of this request was intended to head off any risk of him being cut out of a job for someone at a lower pay rate when the new school board budget comes up for approval with the end of the fiscal year in June, Martin said he had not considered that as a possibility.
“We have a lot of things going on and I want to make sure I’m here to see them completed,” Martin said regarding his motive in asking for the extension.
When school board chairman L.P. Bordelon opened the floor for public comment, Paula Ferrer, who is the parent of a local student, said she objected to approving Martin’s request because the matter in her opinion had not been on the table long enough for public scrutiny.
The school board agenda, which had been released to the media and public the previous Wednesday, listed the item only as a “matter pertaining to superintendent’s contract.” Ferrer said that when she went to the school board office to request an agenda last Thursday she was denied a copy by administrative staff. “I feel there is a lack of transparency with things,” she said.
Both Benoit and Babin echoed the same concern regarding transparency while they refused to approve a contract renewal for Martin. “So, what’s the rush?” Benoit asked.
Babin said that she wanted clarification on Martin’s contract and that she wondered why discussing its renewal could not wait until a date closer to its expiration.
Other board members said that Benoit and Babin needed to be willing to deal with topics as they arise without asking for extra consideration because they are new. Donald Duplantis said that each of the other board members were once new as well and had to share in making decisions even if they were not quite up to speed with the remainder of the board at those times. Bordelon said that by renewing Martin’s contract the board is offered an opportunity to plan more completely for the next four years.
Some board members suggested, but did not confirm, that other school districts might have been eying Martin and that their action to extend his contract helps secure him for Terrebonne Parish schools. “If we don’t renew his contact someone else [could] snag him up,” Duplantis said.
“I’m very pleased and honored and looking forward to four more years,” Martin said following approval of contract extension.
Terrebonne School District Superintendent Philip Martin listens as concerns and procedures are discussed regarding his request for a contract extension. MIKE NIXON
