Vidrine voices opinion on proposed tax after denied speaking before board Wednesday
Jennifer Vidrine asked to speak on the subject of the proposed tax for a new high school at Ville Platte High (VPHS) at the recent Evangeline Parish School Board meeting but was denied because the board was not taking any action on the item. The board went into executive session to discuss which proposal they would bring to the taxpayers in July.
After the meeting Vidrine, who is supporting the original proposal, which failed in the fall 2007 election, said she wanted to make a statement to the board in regards to a new campus. “I wanted to make an addition to the public’s suggestions, which the superintendent was scheduled to report on,” she said. “My proposal is simple. And, I have voiced this proposal since the inception of the original plan.”
When the new school is built, Vidrine would like to see its athletic facilities utilized or available for both schools in Ward One, VPHS and Sacred Heart High School (SHHS). She said the sharing of the campus could be extended to other areas, like the new auditorium, which under the proposed plan in the fall would have a theatrical setting. She said this would be a great facility for both schools to utilize for plays, musicals and other events. Also, academically, both schools could benefit as well. The new school will have pre-professional academic programs. Students could do cross-registration and take advantage of these courses and get the academic credit and the professional exposure.
She believes the sharing of facilities would be easy, especially in the area of athletics. She said it would be a matter of the coaches coordinating their schedules. When one school is at home, the other school could be playing away. The home game school would have the gate and the concessions, etc. All of this can be accomplished simply by both schools agreeing and working out the details.
“This can be a very practical and educational collaboration between both schools. The new school plan is a plan of inclusiveness. Let’s not make it one of exclusiveness. We can be stronger as a community if we are together, instead of divided over this new school issue. I am an advocate and cheerleader for a good educational system in this city for both schools (VPHS and SHHS). I want all the children of Ward One to benefit from the new school. As a city, we can set an educational example of two schools working together and learning together for the greater good of the children. All we need to do as a community is put education first for all of our children. We need to get away from the polarization and disparity in our educational systems. This only hurts our children and the educational process.”
“With this proposal, all of Ward One would benefit from a new school.” She believes this partnership would be the best thing for the community in the spirit of “fairness, equality, unity and community for the citizens, children and taxpayers of Ward One.”