St. Mary District 10 school board

The St. Mary School Board 10th District race pits reporter and media owner Howard Castay Jr. against incumbent Anthony Streva, who has a 34-year background in the St. Mary Parish school system.

“The biggest thing is that my background allows me to understand what is expected of the students in meeting the challenging standards,” Streva said. “Because of my background, I have the experience to be able to look at programs and judge how we are doing and growing, and what’s working and not working. My background gives me a little edge”

Streva’s three priorities, he said, is to curtail dropouts, focus on budget issues and keep the cuts out of the classroom and insure that the district continues to post good test scores.

Castay said one of his first goals is to take a harder look at a Terrebonne Parish program and mimic it in St. Mary Parish.

“One thing I want to do is create a foundation for excellence, which will mirror the same program in Terrebonne Parish,” Castay said. “I think it’s an outstanding program, and I think the people of Terrebonne have done a great job in working that out.”

Castay also wants to improve communication. He said not one child applied for a $1,000 scholarship from the 100 Black Men of St. Mary last year, and that reflects on the educators.

“If I wasn’t in radio, I would be in education,” Castay said. “My mother was a teacher, and one of my oldest sons was a teacher. I have two cousins that are teachers, and I have a lot of friends in neighboring parishes that are teachers.”