Four bills, including one defeated in committee, would change the way school boards are selected and function throughout the state. St. Tammany’s School Board has already passed a resolution opposing the changes, while the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce voted to support education reform and the changes proposed by the Legislature.

The West Chamber CEO Lacey Toledano and Chairman of the Board Jean Champagne presented their views at Thursday’s St. Tammany Parish School Board Committee as a Whole meeting.

Champagne said it is not a reflection of the Chamber’s opinion of the school system. In fact, he said, “We are second to none in respect for the school system. It draws people to the Northshore.” He added the system’s success in the parish “is attributable to many factors, including the work of the school board, the school administration and above-average parental involvement.” Champagne said many other school systems throughout the state look to St. Tammany as a role model for programs, leadership and ideas. However, the West Chamber must support what is best for the entire state and the Northshore region, including education reforms, he said.

Proposed changes in four specific bills include topics of nepotism, which has been deferred; hiring and firing practices, including a school board superintendent; term limits, which has already been defeated in committee; and payments and benefits for school board members.

In general, the Chamber supports the role of local school boards to set overall education policy for their districts. However, some of the changes the Chamber supports includes term limits, which has been defeated; no compensation for school board members except expense reimbursements; and school board members should not be furnished health insurance at the expense of the school district.

In contrast, the School Board supported term limits as designated by the local parish; compensation for service because they make many decisions comparable to a local parish government; and other decisions made at the local level.

In a resolution passed recently, the School Board said its members “have worked diligently to look out for the needs of students first and foremost.” Citing the responsibility of school boards to represent the beliefs and values of their community, the resolution stated that boards are accountable for school performance and are accessible to citizens, with the establishment of goals and the importance of accomplishing district objectives as main objectives. They also stated that decision-making should be retained at the local level because they are elected by local citizens to make certain public tax dollars are used responsibly and policies are developed to serve the best interest of students and the community.