No more counselors, for now

The increasing financial squeeze on the St. Landry Parish School Board makes this an impossible time to consider adding counselors to work with 20 elementary schools, according to Supt. Michael Nassif.

He told the Executive Committee on Monday that new recurring expenses at a time when the system is facing the uncertainty of costs linked to efforts to close the desegregation litigation and to meet accounting demands of the state would be unwise.

Some board members and staff members say more guidance counselors are necessary to meet the needs of parish students.

Acting Personnel Director James Olivier has been directed to determine if any schools can reduce other positions in order to hire counselors.