REBECCA BURK ELLIS / L’Observateur / August 3, 1998

LUTCHER – The St. James Parish School Board discussed the open slot for aprincipal at Gramercy Elementary at the July 21 meeting because current principal Carol Bourgeois is taking a sabbatical leave.

The school system is accepting applications, and the board is set to vote on an acting principal at the next board meeting, Aug. 4, at the centraloffice in Lutcher.

Board members also approved the new employee handbook. SuperintendentWalter Landry is pleased with the revisions and plans to strictly implement all of the rules.

“We’re real proud of this handbook,” he said. “It’s something we lookforward to discussing at length with the teachers to make sure there are no questions.”Landry said he is very serious about the dress code and added that he may even give $100 gift certificates to those who follow it well.

Board member Richard Reulet said that he’s glad the new handbook required teachers to get more involved. “I read through it (handbook),” hesaid. “And I like it that more teachers are required to get involved in theschools’ activities.”School board members also approved the members of the St. James HighSchool Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee, a connection between thehigh school and the community, is made up of teachers, administrators, students, community members and leaders and business and industry members and leaders.

Members of the committee are Judge Sylvia Steib, chairperson; Councilman Elton Aubert, parent; Floyd Becnel, parent; School Board President John Schexnayder; Assessor Glenn Waguespack, parent; Marie Lewis, retired teacher; Samuel Reulet, central office staff; Jacquelyn Brass, central office staff; August Etienne, parent; Eileen Jasmin, parent; Doug Bergeron, parent; Assistant Superintendent Caldonia Ceasar; and Mary D. Edwards, central office staff.Committee member Samuel Reulet said he would give the board a report on improvements by the end of September.

“Things will move forward at St. James High School,” board memberRichard Reulet said. “And that’s something we have been hoping andpraying for a long time.”

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