Lafayette, LA – The race for the St. Mary Parish School Board District 7 seat is heating up, with two candidates vying for the position: Republican Lawrence Guillory and Independent Carla Pellerin. Early voting for the March 29 election is already underway, lasting until March 22. Despite efforts to interview Guillory, he was unavailable, leaving Pellerin as the sole candidate willing to share her thoughts on key issues impacting the school district.
In an exclusive interview, Pellerin discussed her views on several crucial topics affecting the local education system, starting with the long-running desegregation case that has plagued the parish for nearly 60 years.
Pellerin expressed frustration over the continued existence of the desegregation case, which dates back to the 1960s. She believes it is well past time for the case to be settled. “Absolutely, it’s time for it to be settled,” she stated. “I don’t understand why that case has gone on that long. I wish I could say I’ve actually done the research on that case, but I think that in the year 2025, this case goes all the way back to the 60s, if I’m correct. So, yes, it is time for it to be settled. It is time for us to turn the page on this lawsuit and put it to rest, absolutely.”
Her stance highlights her desire to move the parish beyond a history that continues to affect the present, signaling a focus on future progress for St. Mary Parish schools.
When asked about the current direction of the St. Mary Parish school system, Pellerin acknowledged that while the system is not headed in the wrong direction, there is still much work to be done. “I can’t say that we’re headed in the wrong direction,” she said. “Obviously, I’m always open to progressive policies that are going to protect the best interest of the students and being able to lead a voice to help the system move forward.”
Currently ranked 26th among the state’s school systems, Pellerin sees room for improvement. She emphasized the importance of continued progress, stating, “Are we headed in the right direction? I think we rank 26th across the state school systems, and so there’s room for improvement, always.”
Pellerin was also asked about areas she believes should be prioritized within the school system. While she emphasized that the students must always come first, she admitted that specific improvements to student services would require more time and experience within the system. “The students have to be the number one priority, of course. Now, what particular aspects of student services could be improved? That’s a question that I could probably better answer in a few months once I’ve gotten immersed in what’s happening with the systems and the policies,” she said.
Her approach suggests a willingness to take the time necessary to understand the complexities of the system before making sweeping changes, positioning her as a candidate ready to learn and adapt to the needs of the district.
As the election approaches, Pellerin’s message reflects a focus on resolving longstanding issues and improving the overall quality of education for the students of St. Mary Parish. With early voting already underway, residents of District 7 will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and decide who will lead the way toward a brighter future for the local school system.