Savoie picked to lead national school board

"Sonny" Savoie

C.H. “Sonny” Savoie, a school board member from St. Charles Parish, was named the 62nd president of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) at the association’s annual conference in San Diego. Savoie has been a member of the NSBA board of directors since 2002. He served as president-elect last year.

Savoie has been a member of the St. Charles Parish School Board for 23 years and has held various offices, including president and past president of the board.  He has also served on the Louisiana School Boards Association’s Board of Directors since 1995 and was president in 2001.

“We must create an environment in Washington that will support policies that put children first and provide the resources to strengthen public education and local school governance,” Savoie said. “A school board must demonstrate the resolve to manage resources and maintain best practices that support its vision and mission to ensure achievement for all students. I am fully committed to bringing this philosophy to my role as president.”

Savoie worked for more than 32 years in the oil and gas industry for Chevron/Texaco as well as an independent consultant.  He has also served as a superintendent search consultant for several years.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Sonny as our president while our school districts deal with the economic recession and we work with the Obama administration and Education Secretary Arne Duncan,” said Anne L. Bryant, NSBA executive director. “He will be a powerful and effective voice for school board members and children as he travels the country urging greater support for public education.”

Savoie has been a ten-year HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) math mentor at the middle school level and has taught Junior Achievement to third grade classes. He is retired and actively involved in numerous church and community activities. His hobbies include fishing and golf.
He and his wife Merle have two daughters and four grandchildren. They reside in Paradis.