By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Recent scandals that have toppled parish leaders in both St. John and Jefferson parishes have forced the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to adopt a new policy on disclosure of agents, broker’s fees and commissions on insurance contracts.

In an effort to make the dealings of the board as transparent as possible, Felix Boughton, director of business and finance, drafted a policy stating all agents, broker’s fees and commissions for all insurance contracts “shall be disclosed and separately stated.”

The policy further states any changes to said contract must be reported to the board within 30 days. Under the new policy, the board may not award or cancel a contract if the disclosure policy is not followed.

The board accepted the new policy unanimously.

In other school news, Gail Creecy, principal of West St. John Elementary School in Edgard, is retiring Monday. She is in her fifth year as principal of the school and has served at other posts throughout the parish during her career.

The district is currently advertising for her replacement, and Assistant Principal Juanita Hill will head the school until a replacement is found.

Applications for the position will be accepted until Feb. 23, and interviews are set to begin Feb. 25.