After anxiously awaiting the results of the days-long accreditation process, the Plaquemines Parish School Board found out at a special information meeting that the district is officially endorsed by AdvancED.

The news was delivered via a presentation by AdvancED to the school board, administration and community on Jan. 19.

AdvancED is an organization that unified the Southern Association of Colleges and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, and stands as the world’s largest education community. They were evaluating the parish school system to validate and provide feedback.

Over the course of four days, an AdvancED team interviewed five school board members, 27 administrators including the superintendent, Denis Rousselle, 83 teachers, 37 support staff, 60 students and 64 parents, community members and business partners.

Their findings determined that the parish’s school district is operational in all aspects; the other options on the grading scale were highly functional, emerging or not evident.

“The Plaquemines Parish School District reflects an extraordinary culture of respect and pride among all its stakeholders,” said the lead evaluator from AdvancED, Sharon Steindam of Chicago. “District stakeholders have demonstrated remarkable perseverance and resiliency in their efforts to rebuild schools and programs that were destroyed as result of Hurricane Katrina.”

Steindham also commented on the productive relationship between the school board and the superintendent.

The AdvancED team suggested the school district strengthen the alignment between the various school district mission statements, as they vary. Also, to use research based on effective schools to guide the district as it moves forward.

“For you to be at the stage that you are is remarkable,” said Steindham.

Rousselle thanked all parties present at the accreditation meeting.

“We’re moving ahead,” he said.

Following the presentation, Joyce Lamkin, who was one of the board members interviewed, said she was not surprised the district was accredited.
“We have hard working people,” said Lamkin. “We just knew.”

The accreditation has to be re-evaluated and renewed every five years. The Plaquemines Parish School District has been accredited in the past.