RESERVE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District named Cory Butler as principal of East St. John High School.

The school’s current principal Patricia Triche has been promoted to Director of Early Childhood Education for the district, according to district officials.

Butler will report for work May 11.

Butler is currently employed by the Louisiana Department of Education as a high school consultant, helping school districts and school administrators implement Jump Start and best practices to improve student achievement and culture and climate.

His time in this position included working with schools in the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District, including East St. John High School, district officials announced.

Butler’s 20 years in education includes time as principal of Ellender Memorial High School in Houma and at Schwarz Alternative School in the Recovery School District. He was an assistant principal at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray. Under his leadership, Ellender Memorial High School improved its School Performance Score 23 points in four years.

Butler has also earned the designation of Louisiana School Turnaround Specialist.

Outside of education, he spent eight years employed by the Boys and Girls Club, including time as the Houma-Thibodaux branch director, and was the assistant director of the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center.

“I plan to make sure our students have the job skills they need to work in a global economy and the educational talent and experience to pursue secondary education, whether that be at a technical or four-year school,” Butler said. “If we, as educators, achieve anything short of that we are not doing our job. I have high expectations of myself and that will be translated to the faculty, staff and students.

“I’m excited to be a part of a school system that is progressive and to be part of the team that moves St. John forward to being a top 10 school district.”

Triche, who has been the principal of East St. John High School for the past eight years, said she is leaving the school in good hands.

“I think Mr. Butler will be a wonderful addition to the East St. John High School team,” she said. “He’s had the opportunity to see how high schools operate across the state.”

Triche said she is looking forward to spreading her wings in her new position.

“I’m excited to be on the district leadership team with Superintendent Kevin George and the other administrators,” she said. “I keep telling my staff at East St. John it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later. I just have so much appreciation for the community, faculty, staff and students at East St. John High.”