LEONARD GRAY

LULING – A video promoting the St. Charles Parish School System recently won two national awards for excellence. The video, “A look inside St. Charles Parish Public Schools,” was prepared by Rochelle Touchard, the district’s public information officer. It received an award for distinguished achievement in the category of school district marketing material from the National School Public Relations Association, and it also was honored by the Awards for Publication Excellence, receiving one of 21 awards presented from 184 video entries. The video is used during Supt. Dr. Rodney Lafon’s patron tours which, he related this week, have been hugely successful in re-acquainting the community with the public school system. Additionally, the district’s yearly report to parents titled, “Journey to Excelence,” likewise received a distinguished achievement award from the NSPRA. Finally, APEX presented St. Charles Parish Public Schools with one of only two awards presented in the area of crisis communication with an award of excellence for their “Crisis Management and Emergency Response Plan” publication. Touchard and Larry Sesser, executive director of physical plant operations, were congratulated by the board members on that effort. The St. Charles Parish School Board learned of the awards at its Wednesday meeting, where the members approved the following items: A contract with Follett Library Resources of $45,000 for library books. The state Department of Education recently eliminated the awarding of one contract for the purchase of library books statewide, prompting each district to obtain bids and award contracts on their own. A contract with W.T. Cox Subscriptions of $23,000 for library periodicals. It was determined the possibility existed for greater price savings and additional services by using the bid process. Appointments of Winona Champagne, representing Hahnville High School, and Stephanie Stassi, representing Destrehan High School, to the Ethel Schoeffner Board of Trustees scholarship fund. The term runs July 1, 2001 and ends June 30, 2004. Allowing Lafon to sign documents related to the state-mandated Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire. The document is a statement of total financial disclosure submitted at the time of audit. Lafon also said during his regular report that 392 staff members participated in 30 assorted workshops as part of their ongoing staff development program during the summer months. Parents can expect to receive the annual “Back to School” newspaper from the district by Aug. 1, Lafon continued. As the opening of school approaches, he reminded, teachers will be back Aug. 14 for two days of staff preparation, and students will return Aug. 20.