The supe wants to hear from you!

Superintendent Kevin George is launching a series of events aimed at having conversations with members of the community about their public school system.

The first took place March 12 at P.J.’s Coffee in LaPlace, with a great turnout of about 20 community members.

These stakeholders were able to sit around in a casual atmosphere and have a conversation with the superintendent – and each other – about what’s going on in the school system.

Conversations included the district’s plan for helping paraprofessionals become certified teachers, as well as building a pipeline of leaders within the system.

Volunteering, security, substitute teachers and improvements to the automated notification system were also discussed.

However, the biggest thing learned from the conversation was the community’s desire to see a culture established at the schools, where both staff and students are excited about coming to school each day.

Superintendent George said these were exactly the type of constructive conversations he was hoping to have when he decided to go out into the community to seek input.

“I believe people are interested and want to give feedback but they’re not missing work to set up an appointment with the superintendent,” he said. “People believe because I’m the superintendent I know everything that goes on on every bus and in every classroom and that’s just not the case, but I need to know so I know what we need more of or less of in this district.”

He said he hopes the casual atmosphere will inspire more of these conversations in the future.

Talk to the Supe at P.J.’s Coffee in LaPlace is now a monthly event.

Keep an eye on the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System Facebook page @SJBPschools, the superintendent’s Twitter @Stjohnsupe and the district website at stjohn.k12.la.us for announcements of the dates and times each month.

The superintendent is also planning two church forums, one on the East Bank and one on the West Bank, in the near future.

Monitor the channels above for announcements of those as well.

Often, people want to talk about the school system – either good or bad – but don’t know how to reach out or to whom they should address their concerns.

So don’t be shy! The superintendent wants to hear from you! Come out and share your thoughts at these upcoming events!

Jennifer Boquet is the communications specialist for St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools. Email her at jboquet@stjohn.k12.la.us.