Schools getting back to normal

Monday saw a return to some semblance of normalcy for St. Martin Parish’s public school system and its thousands of students and faculty members.
Students returned to school after missing six instructional days due to the massive rainfall and widespread flooding that occurred in the area on Aug. 12-13.
Parish Supt. Dr. Lottie Beebe said Monday afternoon that “things ran smoothly ... and many of the employees and students I encountered at schools in St. Martinville, Catahoula, Breaux Bridge and Parks told me they were glad to be back.”
Enrollment totals are still being compiled, with some pre-K and kindergarten youngsters not due back in class until today (Wednesday).
Dr. Beebe said only 14 employees were absent from work on Monday and not all were due to flood issues. “Approximately five employees indicated their homes were either surrounded by water or had actually been flooded. And most of those were at work Monday,” she added.
The superintendent noted that a number of families in the Ledoux area of St. Martinville had been displaced and she commended the volunteer efforts being made to assist them.
“Every effort is being made to address the individual needs of those impacted by the storm,” Beebe said. “Everyone is working together to continue with the activities that were scheduled prior to the storm.”
Regarding the six days of classes that were missed, Beebe said the issue would first be addressed by the state Department of Education. John White, Louisiana superintendent of education, will likely offer a proposal to address the loss instructional time in the affected parishes.
“The Louisiana Legislature will have to authorize any deviation from the established number of instructional minutes,” says Dr. Beebe.