Committee meets public about Sacred Heart School

By: STEVE HALLAM
Associate Editor

The five members of the Blue Ribbon Committee chosen by Diocese of Lafayette Bishop Michael Jarrell to examine the issues in dispute at Sacred Heart School and make recommendations introduced themselves to the parish members here in Ville Platte Sunday, May 31.
One of the five, Rev. Hampton Davis, with Our Lady Queen of Peace in Lafayette, began the meeting with a prayer service. Other members of the committee then followed with Catholic readings of their own.
Then the five told the audience in the school’s gym about their professional and Catholic backgrounds.
The final speaker during the hour-long meeting was the committee chairman, Joseph Giglio. After talking about his background, he went into more specifics about the work the committee will do.
He said the committee was impressed “with the intensity of the feelings,” of people on both sides of the dispute, which led to protests in front of the school in May. Those protesting say they want the principal, Diane Fontenot, to be replaced. The protestors say the administration and the pastor, Fr. Jason Vidrine, has failed to form an advisory committee to make recommendations on how the school is run. The protestors also say the administration has damaged the school’s athletic program.
Giglio said he met with Bishop Jarrell on Tuesday, May 26, when he was appointed to be chairman of the committee and told him that “I am no ‘yes man,’” adding, “This committee will not be a rubber stamp.”
He said he met with the committee on Thursday, May 28, and Saturday, May 30, to plan the meeting at the school Sunday.
Giglio said the committee will be available to receive written or oral comments on Wednesday evenings in Lafayette, and on weekends in Ville Platte, until their evaluation of the issues is completed. He said the committee members have not yet determined where they will be available for in-person interviews locally. The diocese also has set up an email address where comments can be sent.
The chairman said the committee will not accept anonymous written messages but that they will honor requests that people providing written comments remain confidential. Comments can be emailed to the Blue Ribbon Committee at the address: shvpblue@gmail.com.
Giglio also said that while the bishop has asked that the committee wrap up its investigation and submit its recommendations by the end of June, committee members are aware that some issues could take longer to resolve.