Committee has until June 30 to make recommendation on Sacred Heart School situation

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Staff Reporter

With June 30 quickly approaching, all interested parties are waiting to hear the Blue Ribbon Committee’s recommendation to Father Jason Vidrine on what to do at Sacred Heart High School.
“The committee should be wrapping things up at this point,” Jeffery Sylvester said.
Sylvester hopes that a recommendation will be made within the next couple of days. Mr. Sylvester, who was chosen as spokesperson for those concerned with the principal’s actions, says that they are very pleased at how the situation is being handled so far.
Since May protesters have been pushing for the removal of Sacred Heart High School principal Paula Diane Fontenot.
A large amount of individuals who have deep ties to the school found themselves worried for the future of the school after there was a significant drop in the enrollment as the school has lost 186 students in the past six years, as well as a loss of more than 80 teachers over the course of five years.
The tipping point occurred after Fontenot fired long- time employee and athletic director Robert Soileau which infuriated not only parents and alumni but also students.
David Vidrine and Charles Buller met with Bishop Michael Jarrell expressing their concerns about some of the principal’s actions. The Diocese of Lafayette then released a letter informing the interested parties of what steps would be taken in reaching a resolution in the current dispute concerning the school’s administration.
The decision was made by the Diocese of Lafayette to create a Blue Ribbon Committee that would consist of five individuals that have no ties to the school. The committee consists of Lafayette attorney Joseph Giglio, Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mike Neustrom, Rev. Hampton Davis of Our Lady of Queen of Peach in Lafayette, Gene Lognion and Camille Domingue.
After assembling the committee Bishop Jarrell asked all members to hear comments from both sides to allow for a fair assessment of the situation. The committee met with concerned citizens during a meeting at the school’s gym on Sunday, May 31.
The committee was also asked to have a recommendation prepared for Father Jason Vidrine by June 30.