For the first time in its history, the St. Landry Parish School Board’s top officers are both women.
Candace Gerace was elected unanimously as the Board president at a meeting Thursday in Opelousas. Gerace, of Melville, has served has vice president and is in her second term.
She succeeds Randy Wagley in the Board’s top spot.
Gerace said her purpose is to go forward together.
Gerace was nominated by Eunice Board member Albert Hayes Jr. and Port Barre member Donne Perron.
Donatto won a vote for the vice president seat. Also nominated for the seat was Huey Wyble, of Arnaudville.
Donatto won the votes of all but Wyble, Perron, Roger Young and Kyle Boss.
After her election as vice president, Donatto noted she has served 40 years as an educator starting a teacher’s aide when she attended college.
“I always think is very beneficial if you are to do something to start at the ground level,” she said.
Donatto said she served 13 years as a first grade teacher, 13 years as an instructional specialist and 14 years as a principal.
Donatto served as principal at East Elementary in Eunice where she and the school earned honors.
The school district is “...embarking on a journey right now that is really new territory for this district,” she said.
The School Board has called an election on March 24 on two tax proposals. One proposal is a 11.3 mill, 10-year tax to pay for salary increases. The other is a 12.1 mill, 20-year tax to fund a $99 million bond for capital improvements.
Both proposals have to pass.
At Thursday’s meeting, the School Board approved a $3,000 raise for certified employees and $2,000 for other employees if the tax passes.
The starting salary for a teacher in St. Landry Parish is $38,000.
The School Board Executive Committee was filled out Thursday in a rotation system. Kyle Boss and Donnie Perron were named to the committee.
The names of Perron and Milton Ambres were placed on separate papers in a box, and drawn by Gerace. Perron’s name was drawn.
Perro quipped, “This is really not the lottery I was looking to win.” Record Powerball and Megaball lotteries were announced over the weekend.
Perron and Ambres were elected a the same time, Board attorney Evan Alvarez said.
Ambres will advance to the Executive Committee next year, he said.
