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After closed session, St. Bernard board approves superintendent contract 10-2; outgoing superintendent honored for 55 years in education
Summary
Following an executive session under revised statute 42:17A(1), the board approved a contract for Mary Lumetta (recorded 10-2), authorized the board president to execute it, and paid tribute to outgoing superintendent Ms. Vochelle, who delivered a farewell address reflecting on 55 years in education and 22 years as superintendent.
Following a closed executive session, the St. Bernard Parish School Board approved a contract for Mary Lumetta to serve as superintendent, authorizing the board president to execute the contract. The motion was moved by Mr. Long and seconded by Ms. Lee Bowman; the board recorded the vote as 10-2.
The board had first voted 10-0 to enter executive session under revised statute 42:17A(1) to discuss matters related to the superintendent contract. After returning to open session the board considered agenda item 5.7 and recorded the 10-2 approval.
Board members offered congratulations to the incoming superintendent after the vote. The meeting then focused on recognition of the outgoing superintendent, Ms. Vochelle, who was honored for more than 50 years in education and 22 years as superintendent of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools. Multiple board members praised her leadership through crises including Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic and recounted efforts to rebuild facilities and maintain fiscal stability.
Ms. Vochelle addressed the board and the public in an extended, reflective speech. She recounted the district slogan — "vision, effort, success" — and thanked staff, principals, and community members. She singled out district finance and operations staff by name, thanked long-time colleagues, and expressed confidence in district leadership going forward.
The transcript records applause and the presentation of photos and memories; the meeting adjourned after a motion to close the session.
Note on transcription: the transcript uses variant spellings for the incoming superintendent (Lumetta/Lametta) and includes a passage that reads "Safe and Sound Public Schools." The governing entity in the meeting is the St. Bernard Parish School Board; this article standardizes institutional references to "St. Bernard Parish Public Schools" and uses the spelling "Mary Lumetta" as it appears in the record while noting variant spellings in clarifying details.
