T’bonne superintendent to represent La. at national academy

Terrebonne Parish Superintendent Philip Martin will represent the district at meetings in eastern Texas and New York City this year as a member of Lamar University’s Superintendent Academy XVIII.

The academy annually invites 20 superintendents from Texas and one each from Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It serves as a “think tank” as the representatives will share their methods of operation.

“I’m very optimistic it will be a learning experience; that I can bring things back to our district and continue moving forward,” Martin said. “That’s the whole point of this entire govern.”

The superintendent deflected personal congratulations and instead focused on the district’s achievement.

“I’m proud to be representing Terrebonne Parish. It’s not a personal accomplishment; it’s a district accomplishment. It reflects well on our district, and any time we can reflect positively on our district, I’m certainly pleased with that.”

Martin was the recipient of a scholarship, which covers all costs excluding a hotel room, meals and travel costs within Texas. As part of the honor, Martin is required to attend two sessions – one in Beaumont, Texas, and one in New York City – where he will look for ways to improve student achievement.

“If I can get something from some place else that is applicable here and is going to help our kids in terms of student achievement, I’ll have no problem if I’m accused as a copy cat,” Martin said.

St. Charles Parish Superintendent Rodney Lafon nominated Martin one year after he participated in the academy.

“My feeling is that any time we can get a little twist on things, maybe how they are doing it in another state versus how we are doing it in Louisiana, is not a bad thing,” Lafon said. “I thought he would be the appropriate person to go, and I think he will represent us well.”

The board unanimously approved picking up the hotel costs.

“This honors Terrebonne Parish greatly,” school board member L.P. Bordelon said. “I’m very curious to see how other districts are using their money.”

Cage voted in as Greenwood Middle School principal

The board unanimously appointed Margaret Cage as the new principal of Greenwood Middle School.

Cage, who previously served as a master teacher at Greenwood Middle but spent the last month at Oaklawn Junior High, said she is happy to return.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “I love Greenwood, I love the community and I’m ready to go back.”

Cage said her plan is to “basically continue with the superintendent’s agenda, which is to increase student achievement.”