By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recently approved a motion to extend the contract of Superintendent Courtney Millet until July 1, 2012.

According to Millet, she requested the extension so she could see the completion of the projects in the Facilities Master Plan. The plan was originally not supposed to be completed until 2013, but because of a decrease in construction prices, the decision was made to accelerate the sale of the bonds that fund the projects. The plan is now scheduled to be completed in four years rather than the original five.

“It is my wish to make certain the educational reforms and capital improvements program begun under my administration with regard to the $46 million bond renewal and the new Race to the Top initiative will be sustainable and build capacity for years to come,” said Millet.

Millet began her tenure on April 21, 2008, replacing Michael Coburn. Her original contract was set to expire in 2011.

Millet’s salary, set at over $128,000, will remain the same.

The decision to extend the contract came on the heels of a recent school board retreat, during which board members evaluated Millet’s performance. Her contract states her performance is to be evaluated annually, a process that must be completed by July 15 of each year.

The motion to extend Millet’s contract was approved by a vote of 10-1. Board member Albert Burl III, who has recently clashed with Millet over hiring procedures within the school system, cast the lone dissenting vote.