Withdraw gives School Board seat to Bernard

Opponent said former principal had too much experience

August 12, 2010 at 9:49 am  | Mobile Reader | Print 

Courtesy photo

Melinda Huff Bernard

Robert “Bobby” Faucheux, her only opponent, dropped out of the race last week after speaking with Bernard and deciding she was better suited for the job.

“I had a long chat with her and I thought she was more qualified than me,” Faucheux said. “She has over 20 years of teaching and familiarity with the school district…you can’t catch up with that.”

Faucheux sat down and discussed the job of a School Board member with Bernard before deciding to leave the race.

“I appreciate that Mr. Faucheux was quite a gentleman,” Bernard said. “He came and spoke to me and let me know that he felt my experience and background would be valuable as a member of the School Board.

“I’m very excited to be able to participate as a board member in January.”

Bernard worked in the parish school system for 25 years as a teacher, administrative assistant, and principal at Luling, R.J. Vial and St. Rose elementary schools. She is a lifelong resident of St. Charles Parish and holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Nicholls State University and a Masters degree from the University of New Orleans in school administration and elementary principalship.

“I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. I dedicated my adult life to doing so,” Bernard said.

Faucheux’s supporters shouldn’t worry because he said that Bernard shares many of the fundamental ideas he planned to campaign on.

“We had some similar ideas as far as trying to reduce paperwork for the teachers as much as possible and having a more positive influence on vo-tech school options for those students who don’t want to go to college,” Faucheux said.

While Bernard said that she is proud of the current School Board, she knows there is always room for improvement.

“We learn that as teachers and administrators there’s always room for growth, and I want to be a contributing member and work cooperatively with everyone in the district,” she said.

As principal, Bernard has previous experience working with current board members Sonny Savoie and John Smith.