By MICHAEL COBURN

When I was tapped to lead and improve the St. John the Baptist Parish School System almost eight months ago, I knew then that my job would require me to shake up the status quo. We have many outstanding teachers and principals, and most of our students are willing and capable of meeting the educational goals before them. But still, some nagging problems persist.

For almost 10 years, St. John the Baptist Parish public schools have experienced a decline in student enrollment. The greatest decreases in student enrollment have occurred at the junior high school levels. After completing a K-6 grade program, many students choose to attend private or parochial schools. An additional flight of students occurs during the transition to high school.

So, it is evident that before we can properly right our ship, we must stop the leak.

In an effort to retain junior high students and rebuild enrollment at both the junior high and high school levels, I and my team of administrative officials at the St. John the Baptist Parish School System are proposing restructuring all elementary schools to K-8 grade schools; thereby, building neighborhood school communities throughout our parish.

The K-8 configuration is a positive move for our children, our parents, our teachers and our communities overall.

Research suggests that this will be a positive step toward increasing student enrollment in St. John the Baptist Parish public schools. But more importantly, research also suggests that K-8 schools enjoy higher student standardized test scores, are able to recruit and retain certified teachers, provide better service delivery to special needs students and have greater parental involvement.

Moreover, K-8 schools eliminate transition problems that are created during the move to junior highs, which often contribute to drop-out rates and decreases in student performance.

Simply put, K-8 schools create a greater sense of community that is ultimately reflected in participation, in attitude and in performance.

Our K-8 configuration plan would take two school years to complete. Four schools – LaPlace Elementary, East St. John Elementary, Fifth Ward Elementary and John L. Ory Magnet – would add seventh and eighth grades over that time. In addition, kindergarten classes from St. John Child Development Center would move to Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet, eighth-grade classes would move to West St. John Elementary, and a new gymnasium would be built at Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet to serve junior high students.

The plan will require a substantial investment of capital funds over this time, but because of our ability to borrow the necessary funds, it will NOT require an increase in taxes.

The plan has been introduced to members of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board. They will be asked to vote on the proposal at the April 11 meeting. Between now and then, I have scheduled two public forums to review and discuss this plan. The first forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight (March 27) at LaPlace Elementary, while a second forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 3 at West St. John Elementary School.

Please join me for these public forums, or call the central office at 1-800-296-1106 for a free copy of the K-8 configuration plan. With your help, we can return our schools to our neighborhoods, and bring our children back to the classroom.

MICHAEL COBURN is superintedent of St. John the Baptist Parish public schools.