AMY SZPARA

RESERVE – Incoming superintendent of the St. John Parish School System Mike Coburn introduced his reorganization plan this week at a special session school board meeting, in which the board unanimously approved the plan and made little discussion about the changes. “The reorganization will use our current personnel, with some position changes, to effectively and efficiently provide the necessary guidance and direction to achieve our goal,” said Coburn. Naming accountability the key word for the 2001-02 school year, Coburn said everyone from himself on down will be held responsible for their jobs and actions. The first change moves the St. John Redirection Center, now located in Garyville, to Leon Godchaux Junior High School. The In-School Suspension Center will also be located on those grounds and the Pre-GED Skills Option Program will be held there. Concerned about housing students expelled from their regular schools on campus with children who are attending junior high school, board member Russ Wise expressed his desire to make sure high levels of supervision will be in place at Leon Godchaux. Coburn said the redirection students and Leon Godchaux Junior High students would be bussed separately, eat lunch separately and be on opposite sides of the school grounds. In essence, two separate schools will be housed on the same grounds. The consolidation of the Redirection Center and Leon Godchaux school eliminates the position of one principal. Phyllis Clark, formerly principal of the Redirection Center, will now serve as principal for Leon Godchaux Junior High School. Other changes include the increase of assistant principals at Fifth Ward Elementary School, which Coburn said is the lowest performing school, and East St. John Elementary, the largest elementary school in the parish. Coburn also removed custodian supervision responsibility from the Supervisor of Maintenance/Custodial Services Jessie Oubre to principals at the sites. Director of Facilities and Operations was created by Coburn to have someone other than the finance department oversee the budget and outside contracts of maintenance. Alfred Donaldson, formerly Director of Personnel, will now be Director of Facilities and Operations and will also supervise the transportation department. Coburn also added responsibilities to the Supervisor of Personnel Accountability to include more staff development, especially in curriculum. The positions of Supervisor of Sales Tax and Elementary Coordinator have been eliminated. In being elected as superintendent of schools, Coburn gave up his position as principal at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School, and Audrey Sylvain was selected as the new principal. The changes will cost a total of $54,560.