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Board approves hiring special counsel for Puyau investigation

Posted at 10:28 PM, Sep 17, 2018
and last updated 2019-07-31 14:56:16-04
Attorney for Vermilion Parish School Board resigns
Vermilion Parish School Board

ABBEVILLE–The Vermilion Parish School Board voted Tuesday night to hire two special counsels for its investigation into complaints against Superintendent Jerome Puyau.

The board approved hiring an attorney to investigate the complaints, but they did not select who that attorney will be. The board also approved the hiring of Danny Garrett to assist the board during the course of the investigation.

Board members say they hope to set the parameters for that investigation during their meeting Thursday night.

In other board action, members failed to ratify the August resolution putting Puyau on administrative leave. The new resolution would have reaffirmed that Puyau cannot attend board meetings, go to school campuses, or perform work while on leave.

Puyau was cleared by a hearing officer Friday of all allegations that were made against him. Puyau says he was contacted by the board president Sunday night and was told not to return to work until after tonight’s special board meeting.

Puyau was placed on administrative leave August 6 following a meeting concerning his “character and competence.”