New St. Tammany school board interim superintendent convenes meeting on abuse reporting

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - St Tammany’s interim superintendent served his first full day on the job Tuesday after being approved at a contentious school board meeting. Steve Alfonso is ready to serve through the end of the school year, but beyond that remains to be decided.

Alfonso takes over after the abrupt resignation last week of long-time superintendent Frank Jabbia and said it’s important to keep the business of the school board going in spite a recent controversies.

“I’m excited for the opportunity and looking forward to addressing the challenges and getting things going the right direction,” he said.

We asked Alfonso if he was surprised with Jabbia‘s abrupt departure and if he ever thought about leaving.

“No,” Alfonso said. ”I found out the day of his departure just like everybody else did.’

Jabbia’s departure came after the arrest and conviction of two Lyon elementary administrators for failing to report sexual abuse among two students, an incident which caused tempers to flare at recent school board meetings.

“It’s not about criminal, it’s about finding the institutional patterns of behavior so we can correct this,” said Brant Osborn with the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers.

Alfonso said that in the case of the recent departures from Lyon, he doesn’t think there was anything more he could have done, but there were things they could have done differently.

The Lyon case was legally complicated, Alfonso said, but he is now taking steps beginning this week with a meeting of school principals to reinforce rules designed to protect children.

“Tomorrow’s meeting will be with law-enforcement DCFS and the DA’s office to provide clarity on the mandatory reporting statute,” Alfonso said.

Alfonso’s salary has yet to be determined, but after 18 years with the St Tammany school system, he is optimistic about soon to be released school performance scores.

“We’ve made some tremendous progress, and hopefully that will come to light soon,” Alfonso said.

At this point, Alfonso said he is interested in seeking the permanent position sometime next year, but will consider many factors after discussions with family.

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