Dr. Ken Oertling, superintendent of St. Charles Parish, traveled to Allen Parish Friday, October 2, to present the parish with a check for $7,100, raised by his district through fund raisers.
He described educators in the parish as heroic and courageous having to deal with issues related to a pandemic and hurricane at the same time while trying to make sure students received an education. He could relate to having to deal with hurricane issues since he had worked through Hurricane Katrina, but to have to deal with both a pandemic and hurricane had to be difficult.
Oertling and Allen Parish Superintendent Kent Reeves became friends through their jobs. They have shared ideas and discussed issues and solutions. Oertling said his school district decided to adopt a school system — Allen Parish. Through different fund raisers like jean day, etc., they raised $7,100 for the parish to use.
“We wanted to reach out and support you,” he said. He also asked if the parish would participate in a project with elementary students in St. Charles Parish to reach out and learn about each other.
While visiting Friday morning, Reeves brought Oertling into a principal’s meeting. After listening to principals and staff members discuss issues they were having and trying to solve ways to bring education to the students of the parish, Oertling said he enjoyed listening to the group’s discussion. His district had dealt with similar issues, and he was waiting for others to arise. He did outline out his district was dealing with Covid-19, virtual and hybrid classroom schedules etc. He said the biggest thing was putting protocols in place and following them.
He discussed particular issues and how the district had to utilize the tools given to them to solve the issues. He discussed face-to-face classroom situations, social distancing, etc. in a school environment. He also spoke on how all of these issues have had an impact on educators and students. He said their schedule actually had teachers in his district planning for two types of instruction, virtual and in the classroom. He explained how schedules were rearranged, etc. to make this a possibility, and they didn’t hire more personnel except for one or two persons.
“No one is comfortable with a child struggling,” he pointed out as he answered questions and said he could see how Allen Parish educators were also dealing with similar issues. He said his district’s biggest challenge appeared to be in the middle school area.
“Ultimately we all do what is best for the kids,” he said.
Oertling also toured the district with Reeves to see the hurricane damage here and share solutions and issues from his own dealings with Katrina in his district. He was thanked by the educators here in Allen Parish for sharing information and making the donation.
