Vermilion School Board Votes To Terminate Puyau
At last night's special meeting of the Vermilion Parish School Board, the board voted to move forward with the process of terminating the contract of Superintendent Jerome Puyau. The board was in general session for less than five minutes before it was decided they should move into an executive session.
During that executive session, it was thought that board members were discussing and debating litigation between the board and Superintendent Puyau. After about an hour the Board adjourned from the executive session to take up other issues.
During the public session of the meeting, the board voted to proceed with the termination process of Puyau's contract. The vote passed by five votes. The board then informed the Superintendent that the required 90-day notification process was underway. This would make Puyau's last day as Superintendent, March 13, 2020.
That date is subject to change because of legal proceedings that could be initiated from both sides. Currently, the Louisiana Supreme Court is debating the validity of Puyau's current agreement which is a day to day contract. Depending on how the High Court rules on that issue Puyau's final date could be extended.
Legal counsel for Superintendent Puyau suggested in media reports that should the Board move forward with the termination that his client would be advised to pursue legal actions against the Board.
This is just the latest episode in the sage of the Vermilion Parish School Board and Superintendent Puyau. Fortunately for all parties concerned the teachers, administrators, and students are continuing to excel in the classroom as Vermilion Parish Schools are rated as some of the top-performing schools in the state.