CHRISTINE HARVEY / L’Observateur / August 30, 1999

LUTCHER – St. James Parish parents kept more than 1,400 children homefrom school again Tuesday in a boycott of the system that took away their cherished high school principal, Ridgely Mitchell.

The number of children absent has declined since the new school year started Aug. 18, however, nearly one-third of students remained home onthe parish’s fifth class day.

Mitchell’s involuntary transfer July 26 from St. James High to theprincipal’s position at the parish’s Learning Academy, an alternative school focusing on at-risk behavior and academic achievement, remains the topic of heated debate in the parish.

At the third school board meeting since members ousted Mitchell and replaced him with Jude Reulet, the school system’s instructional supervisor for grades nine through 12, Mitchell’s supporters filled the board meeting room Tuesday night well beyond capacity, and others still looked on anxiously through the windows.

This time, though, some heavy hitters could be counted among the growing group of supporters.

Representatives of the NAACP and the Nation of Islam were present at the meeting, as well as at a makeshift rally afterward in the parking lot.

Standing in the bed of a pickup truck, Nation of Islam Minister Stacy El Muhammad, a fixture in a similar school boycott situation occurring this month in Iberville Parish, told the crowd to “stay out of school” and “shut the system down.”Representing west bank business owners, Spuddy Faucheaux urged board members to resolve the situation so the children will not suffer.

Mitchell said that though he did not support keeping children out of school, sometimes a vehicle like the boycott is needed for a plan to be effective.

The topic of the boycott was not included on Tuesday night’s meeting agenda, which seemed odd to many Mitchell supporters in attendance.

“Why isn’t the boycott on the agenda,” said Malcolm Suber, who came in from New Orleans to attend the meeting. “You can’t be ostriches and keepyour heads in the sand.”Cancienne did request, however, that two other items be added to the meeting’s agenda, both of which seemed to skirt the Mitchell question and neither of which suited the audience.

“I’m sure (Cancienne) knew it wouldn’t change people’s minds,” Mitchell said.

Cancienne provided information to be voted on at the board’s next meeting, Sept. 14, which would expand Mitchell’s responsibilities at the LearningAcademy and give him and all the parish’s public school principals raises.

If approved, Mitchell’s salary would jump $6,886 to a total of $60,444 a year.

Other principals would see salary increases hovering between $2,832 for Geneva Landry at Romeville Elementary and $5,286 for Shirley Rodrigue at Vacherie Primary School.

The figures exclude the Lutcher High and St. James High principals, whoreceived $7,000 raises at an earlier meeting.

Cancienne said he wants Mitchell to take on more responsibility at the Learning Academy, where he would like to include adult and community education endeavors.

He said the parish’s 4,700 adults who lack high school diplomas would benefit from the additions.

Cancienne also said Mitchell had agreed to take part in this new concept.

Board member George Nassar called upon Mitchell to verify his compliance with Cancienne’s plan, and Mitchell said though he was happy with the added responsibilities, he still would have to think it over.

“I will have to make sure that the community is satisfied and happy at this point,” Mitchell said.

But even if all agree to the plan, Mitchell’s heart is still in another place.

“I would like to return to St. James High School,” he said.Mitchell said he realized the effort Cancienne was trying to make with his agenda additions was a positive gesture toward both Mitchell and his supporters, but the changes were not enough to sway anyone’s conscience.

“They know they can’t shut me up,” he said. “Money won’t do it. Briberycan’t do it.”With no end in sight and Cancienne threatening to bring in authorities to resolve the matter, supporters insist on soldiering through.

“The boycott is still on,” said Eileen Jasmin.

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