Plan in place for North Vermilion

LEROY — When it became clear that construction of the new North Vermilion Middle
School would not be ready for the Aug. 11 start of school, what to do with the more than 1,000 students who would be affected became the top priority.
“We were given the directive by the central office to find what schedule could work the best,” North Vermilion High Principal Tommy Byler said of the task charged to him and North Vermilion Middle Principal Joan Romero. “What is something that can work best for our students and teachers, as well as be convenient?”
That plan is in place.
Byler and Romero, as well as other Vermilion Parish school officials, met with hundreds of North Vermilion parents Monday in the high school gym to discuss the schedule that will have high school and middle school students rotating days at the high school, with each of the schools going one Saturday.
“I thank you for showing an interest in your child’s education,” Byler told the families in attendance. “When every thing is all said and done, despite the set backs and things that we have to change, our number one job is to make sure your children get the education that they deserve.
“That is our number one concern.”
Romero agreed.
“We are going to do the best we can, educationally, for your children,” Romero said. “Believe me, that is the most important thing.”
Middle school students will attend the first day, on Monday, Aug. 11. The high school students’ first day will be Aug. 12. Each school will rotate from that point, through Friday, Sept. 5.
Middle school students will attend class on Saturday, Aug. 16. High schoolers will go to class on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Students at both North Vermilion schools will still be off for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1.
Vermilion Parish Assistant Superintendent Paul Hebert, who spoke on behalf of Superintendent Jerome Puyau, who was unable to attend, said he is pleased with the outcome.
“These two principals,” Hebert said of Byler and Romero, “have spent countless hours putting together a plan that is as well put together as it can possibly be.
“They have, along with their teachers, put a very comprehensive plan to make sure students are at school as long as possible and as often as possible to get what they need to be successful this school year.”
The school days will start at 7:18 a.m. and end at 2:38 p.m.
The state requires that students have to be in school for 63,720 minutes to receive credit for the school year. The North Vermilion plan meets that goal, with time to spare.
“After we had everything figured out,” Byler explained, “we have 68,700 minutes.
As for the construction, Romero said the new school is not too far from completion.
“I have watched it since before I was appointed principal,” Romero said. “I’ve seen the progression. There are not many major problems left. Sidewalks are still an issue. We don’t want our students walking in mud. They are working on that, in fact, they poured a piece of the sidewalk today. There’s minor things inside the building.
“You are probably not as disappointed as I am, but bear with us and we are going to get this thing done as soon as possible.”
Byler said Sept. 8 is that day.
“We have spoken to the contractors and that has got to be an absolute deadline,” Byler said. “They are already in the fine phase for not being finished. If we have to go beyond Sept. 8...then I expect we will have to make a crazier schedule.
“Let’s not go past Sept. 8 and they are assuring us that it is going to be done.”
As the schedule stands, Vermilion Parish School Board member Chris Gautreaux, who represents the area, said he is pleased with efforts of the administration and staff.
“Joan and Tommy did such a great job explaining everything that there were not many questions from the audience,” Gautreaux said. “Every detail was covered in the planning and everyone involved worked really hard.
“It made our job (as school board members) a lot easier to explain to the public.”
School Board Member Dexter Callahan, who has long represented the Kaplan area, after rezoning now serves a portion of students form the North Vermilion area.
“I am very impressed,” Callahan said of how the principals and staff have handled the delay. “The staff over here is taking care of things the way it needs to be done.
“That’s what it takes, working together.”