Vermilion Parish Superintendent Jerome Puyau says he’s going back to work Wednesday.
It’s been three months since the board put Puyau on leave pending an investigation into allegations against him. Allegations a hearing officer said were unfounded.
Puyau says he is eager to get back to work.
“I have a new fence in my backyard, a brick patio, I built a fireplace, spent a lot of time with my family. a lot of time praying, a lot of praying and doing a lot of self-reflecting about how we move forward and how to unify our board,” Puyau said.
Two months after six board members voted to put Puyau on leave, a hearing officer dismissed those claims.
Still, the board wanted the superintendent to stay home for another 30 days pending their own investigation.
So he did, and now, that month has passed. The investigation still hasn’t happened.
“Thirty days is over. I return to work. So, I will be the superintendent, like I’ve been. There is no interim superintendent, there never has been,” Puyau stated.
Puyau knows there’s a chance his return won’t be welcomed by board members but he’s not concerned.
“If I walk in and am greeted by the police they need a reason to take me off in handcuffs, there is that chance that they will. However, I broke no laws,” Puyau said.
The superintendent wants his critics to know that he will do what’s best for the district he’s worked hard to improve.
“Give me a chance, look past what happened in the past,” Puyau said.
