St. Martin Parish Woman Wins, Yes; Apology? Nope

Well, a long, drawn-out saga that didn't have to happen has come to a conclusion now. It was a situation that didn't really have to happen, but it did, and I think there are lessons in the entire situation for all of us.

What Was the Issue?

If you go to a public school in St. Martin Parish through the sixth grade, you are allowed to wear shorts to school. If you're in grades seventh through twelfth it's not allowed.

A mother, Candace Mire, started a petition that would ask St. Martin Parish School Board members to vote on allowing all students to wear shorts. She spoke to KATC about the issue and then to us about how hot it is for students especially when they have to ride school buses that don't have airconditioning to and from school.

Mire even researched the issue and presented that synopsis of her research in front of the St. Martin Parish School School Board on August 2. In her presentation, Mire pointed out that surrounding districts, like Lafayette Parish, allow students in all grades to wear shorts.

When Mire said this, several St. Martin Parish School board members shouted at her telling her she was incorrect! After watching the video, I knew I would have to double-check check, Mire was correct and those board members were wrong.

Those members of the board and the board as a whole have not apologized to Mire for their error. When Mire attended the September meeting, she says she looked for the cards to sign that allow you to speak at the meeting.

She says she was unable to find a card. Because she had no card when the agenda item came up to have a discussion about the possibility of wearing shorts, she raised her hand.

PLEASE BE AWARE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS AND RECORDING CONTAIN FOUL LANGUAGE:

It is about this time that you hear someone from the board start talking about the issue. Mire says it was Richard Potier talking about how her coming to the August meeting, and he said, "I really don't give a shit". He continues to talk to the room, and Mire identified herself, saying she was at the meeting, and he could call her Candice.

Mire ended up leaving the meeting, and school board members never did vote on the issue. Mire says she did not attend the Wednesday, October 4 meeting, but school board members took up a vote about the shorts.

Members voted in favor of letting all students who attend St. Martin Parish schools wear shorts.

Here are some lessons learned from this whole situation:

• If you're a parent and you want to make change don't give up even if the school board claims you are wrong.
• If you're a member of a school board and you are wrong about something you tell a parent, you need to apologize because it's the right thing to do.
• If you're a member of a school board and you use the phrase, "I really don't give a shit", you have zero couth.
• If you're a member of any public board, job, or whatever, don't use your position and power to bully someone. Richard Potier is the person who didn't come out looking good on this issue.
• The members who "corrected" Mire after her presentation in August owe her an apology.
• Member Richard Potier's conduct toward Mire and the public at the St. Martin Parish School Board meeting was abhorrent. He owes this woman an apology. 

All students in public schools in St. Martin Parish will be allowed to wear shorts starting in the 2024-2025 school year.