Sunday Scoop with the Supe
January 21, 2024
From the desk of the Superintendent Tommy Byler
This past week we were put in a situation of closing schools because of a cold weather event that brought low temperatures, extremely low wind chills, water issues, and frozen precipitation. I know many times it may seem like an inconvenience to many when we have to make these decisions but I just wanted to share a little insight of how these decisions are made and the factors that we look into to ensure the safety of our students and employees.
SUNDAY
- Stay in communication with local meteorologist, helps that his wife is a teacher in our district, for a timeline on narrowing in on a forecast.
- Conversation with the 13 Superintendents in the Region IV and V area.
- Call to Office of Emergency Preparedness
MONDAY
- VPSB Maintenance department shuts off water valves to portable buildings and ensures that heaters are running in the schools.
- National Weather Call with all state superintendents
- National Weather Call with local (OEP)
- Make decision to cancel schools and report out to media, social media and all stakeholders
TUESDAY
- Calls to meteorologist, OEP, and local superintendents.
- Information gathered from local water plants
- Spot survey of schools for potential opening of schools on Wednesday.
- Discovery of Frozen pipes, broken pipes, and frozen walkways
- Cancel school and get message out to public
WEDNESDAY
- Deploy maintenance once temperatures get above freezing to fix pipes, turn on water, check heating and check electricity.
- Deploy Risk Manager and District Safety Officer to spot check security doors and walkways
- Deploy Janitors and school admins to survey campuses for potential Thursday issues
- Decision to open schools, monitor frozen pipes and concern of low to no water pressure from our water districts.
The reason I share is because often school leaders statewide get criticized for either closing schools or not closing schools. It is always a calculated guess. Louisiana weather has a mind of it's own. Know that we will always err on the side of caution on these decisions. I just want to share that these decisions are very calculated and entail many people. I also want to take this as an opportunity to thank those employees who have to go out and do all of those things we take for granted at over 26 facilities over a large geographical area.
Thank you to all of our stakeholders for understanding, thank you to those who prepared before, during and after the weather event and thank you to all for getting your kids back to school on Thursday to start our abbreviated week.
Have a great week everyone!
Your Partner in Education,
Superintendent Tommy Byler
Events for the week of January 21st
Monday, January 22nd
- Jr. High Parish Basketball Tourney Begins - JH Williams - Clear Bag Policy in Effect
Tuesday, January 23rd
- LDOE Jumpstart Convention - Lafayette
Wednesday, January 24th
- Principal PLC - Central Office
Thursday, January 25th
- AP PLC - Central Office
- Jr. High Parish Basketball Tourney Ends
Friday, January 26th
- LDOE Summit Extension - Lake Charles
President Stelly ends term
After serving as the president of the School Board for the past three years, Mr. Dale Stelly officially handed over the gavel to new leadership. Mr. Dale has led the board through times of COVID, Hurricanes and the ushering in of a new leadership team at central office. Thank you Mr. Dale for providing consistency to our board.
Roy takes over the President's role, Detraz new Vice-President
Mr. Jason Roy, board member from the Leblanc and Erath Community, will take over the reigns as the new president of the Vermilion Parish School Board. We wish him the best as he takes over this new responsibility. He will be serving in a leadership role with Mrs. Charlotte Detraz who was elected as the Vice-President.
Board Special Recognition
Board members Charlotte Detraz of Abbeville and Gregg Meaux of Kaplan were recently honored as they were named as Certified Board members for the 2023 calendar year by the Louisiana School Boards Association. In order to receive the distinction, board members must participate in more than 20 hours of educational in-service on being board members. Congratulations to both and thank you for your dedication.