Parents seek answers
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WHITE CASTLE — Iberville Parish School Superintendent P. Edward Cancienne Jr. told a public forum Tuesday he “did not come here tonight as an attack dog,” but to stress to parents the importance of “where our children land.”
“You can’t be a dropout in today’s world and succeed,” Cancienne said. “We need to keep our children in schools and we need to have more engaged teacher-student activity.”
School Board member Albertha Hasten said the event was held to discuss views and opinions regarding how residents in the southern areas of Iberville Parish can cope in times of economic hardship, social change and what she called “educational deficiency.”
Most of the discussion revolved around White Castle High School and Dorseyville Elementary School.
“We are stating that we hold accountable our local, parish and state entities to the task of informing their citizens what is going on in the neighborhoods in which they live,” Hasten said. “Specifically, what changes are being made and how they affect the citizens and the community as a whole.”
School Board member Darlene Ourso, who also represents the White Castle area, expressed her frustration with the actions of both the School Board and Cancienne.
Ourso, along with audience members, criticized Cancienne and other system officials for placing little emphasis on the White Castle schools and for allegedly focusing more on the schools in the Plaquemine area.
Because White Castle High School has a total enrollment of 242 students, Cancienne said, improving its test scores is critically important.
“Small schools have to do well on these tests,” he said. “Our School Performance Score last time was a 64.9. The state superintendent of schools is planning to raise the bar from a score of 60 to 70, which means we need to improve.”
With the installation of programs such as a comprehensive curriculum, in-school suspension and the placement of a distinguished educator, Cancienne said, he senses “good things at White Castle High School during this coming testing period.”
“We’re making an intense effort,” he said. “We have more certified teachers. People are showing interest in teaching in Iberville Parish. The public’s support of the sales tax issue also shows that this parish is serious about education.”
Linda Johnson, who represents Iberville Parish on the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, told audience members their involvement is critical for the future of schools in the community.
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