By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The soothing bells of the LaPlace Elementary Bell Choir were not enough to ease St. John the Baptist Parish School Board members into a sense of complacency as they shot down Superintendent Courtney Millet’s proposal to name Ronald Barrilleaux the athletic director and head football coach at East St. John High School.

Although Board member Russ Wise moved to accept the recommendation, his motion was not seconded, and board member Albert Burl III offered a substitute motion that the district advertise for the position.

Burl cited East St. John’s recent lack of success in the playoffs as justification for conducting the search.

“I would like to see someone who brings discipline and also stresses academics,” he added.

In defense of her recommendation, Millet said, “In this time of economic hardship, it would be foolish to expend resources on a search when we have a qualified person who has already proven his ability to do the job.”

She noted that Barrilleaux previously coached basketball, track and football and served as athletic director for three years at West Thibodaux Junior High School before coming to East St. John.

She also pointed out that since a hiring freeze was put into effect this summer, no new administrators have been added to the rolls. She added the athletic director position is neither contracted nor tenured, so advertising for the position was not required.

The process of advertising and interviewing for the position as well as possibly adding another salary to the books would put an unnecessary financial strain on the already cash-strapped school system.

“What message would it send,” said Millet. “We cannot have everything all the time.”

Wise, who along with Matthew Ory, was one of two board members to vote against advertising for the position, backed Millet’s recommendation.

“This board has absolutely no business … micromanaging this system,” he said. “We cannot hold (the superintendent) accountable if we go behind her and try to undo all the things she tried to do.”

He added, “We need to get politics out of the school system.”

It was not the only time Thursday evening that Wise did not see eye to eye with his fellow board members. He once again proposed the board voluntarily reduce their salaries until the salaries of other district employees can be fully restored.

“We have cut everybody’s salary but our own,” he said. “I think we need to be able to lead from the front.”

He pointed out that a recent report indicated sales tax revenue in the parish was down by over $4.5 million for the year and would likely be down even more next year.

His motion to reduce board salaries to $5 per month until the economic crisis passes failed to gain a second.

The meeting ended on a bittersweet note as the board bid farewell to 15-year member Ory.

“You certainly gave your heart to it. You gave your life sometimes,” said Board President Gerald Keller.

Rodney Nicholas will take Ory’s seat when members are sworn in at the board’s next meeting, which will take place on Jan. 13.