LAPLACE — Voters are a few days away from making the final calls to fill out St. John the Baptist Parish’s School Board and Parish Council.

Election day is Saturday, and residents are being asked to decide races for Parish Council District 7 and School Board District 10. Precincts voting in the special elections include 4-14, 6-3, 7-02, 7-03, 7-05 and 7-7.

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Those with precinct questions can call 985-652-9797.

Nia Mitchell and Lisa Johnson Pittman, both of LaPlace, are vying for the School Board seat left open when Rodney B. Nicholas left to work as chief deputy of the St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor’s Office.

Mitchell has served as interim board member since December.

Mitchell, an associate executive director with Friendship Education Foundation, told L’OBSERVATEUR the district’s strength is its performance

“We are offering first class preschool programs, there is a greater focus on literacy and numeracy in lower elementary grades, middle school students are able to earn high school credits and, because of great university partnerships, high school students are earning college credits,” she said.

Attracting and maintaining qualified teachers is the District’s biggest obstacle, she said.

Pittman, a medical secretary, has been a regular volunteer at East St. John High, efforts that she said spurred her to run for the vacant seat.

“We have administrations and faculties that are diligent in aiding in student success,” Pittman said. “What is the strategy to achieving those goals? I believe we are capable of becoming an A District with the right practices and procedures in place. Right now our district is (a) B.”

Pittman said the biggest obstacle the district faces is trying to cater to all the students in the district.

Three LaPlace men qualified for the Parish Council seat: James “Buddy” Duhe, Steven Fraker and Thomas Malik.

Duhe, 20, a Baton Rouge Community College student, said his born-and-raised ties to LaPlace, intern work as a lobbyist at the state capitol and service on St. John’s Animal Control Board give him a perfect blend of enthusiasm and wherewithal to serve local constituents.

Fraker, 61, Economy Bookkeeping and Tax Service president, sees his roles on the Parish Council as one to build a positive business environment, grow the economy and create jobs for local residents.

His platform includes establishing a safe and dependable water system; increasing protection from floods, fire and crime; adding recreation options; and attracting large and small businesses through a positive investment environment.

Originally from LaPlace, Malik, 53, is the ES&J manager for Pin Oak Terminals in Mt. Airy and holds a real estate license.

“There are a couple of things that I think the Parish needs help on,” Malik told readers previously. “We’ve gotten approval for hurricane protection, but there is no money for it. That is something the Parish needs. I think the Parish also needs improvement with the water districts. Citizens are receiving multiple bills. They are extraordinarily high and we continue to have these water boil notices.”

The District 7 opened when Buddy Boe resigned in order to serve as senior advisor and communications director to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Raj Pannu is serving as interim councilwoman.