This is one of several profiles published in the 2025 Education Guide, which inserts in the Aug. 8 CityBusiness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- St. Charles Parish expands Satellite Center with hands-on training in process technology
- Students earned over 2,100 credentials and $33.4M in scholarships
- Educators in both parishes receive raises and retention bonuses
- Lutcher High and other schools see major facility upgrades
School districts in the River Parishes are making strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and educator retention announcing salary increases to retain top talent.
At St. Charles Parish Schools, students benefit from one-of-a-kind workforce-focused training facility: The Satellite Center—a career-focused facility shaped by two decades of collaboration with local industries which continues to grow to meet workforce demands. The center trains students in engineering, construction and process technology programs.
A new 20,000-square-foot expansion of the center, made possible by a 2022 bond supported by voters, will add a miniature processing unit, developed with donated equipment and industry expertise, is expected to come online this fall.
“When the processing unit is fully operational, students will be working on the same Delta V controls used in nearby plants,” said Regina McMillan, director of public information for St. Charles Parish Schools. “Students will graduate with certifications, college credit and direct pathways into high-wage careers.”
A workforce advisory panel made up of major industry professionals like Bayer, Shell, Valero, OxyChem and others help ensure that students are learning industry-relevant skills and earning credentials recognized by employers. The St. Charles Parish class of 2025 from Destrehan and Hahnville High Schools earned over 2,100 industry-based credentials, McMillian said.
The graduates also collectively earned more than $33.4 million in scholarships.
To support educators and staff, the St. Charles Parish School Board approved a 5 percent across-the-board raise effective July 2025.
Additionally, all returning full- and part-time employees will receive a one-time $2,500 recruitment and retention payment in October 2025.
The district is also funding critical new staff positions, including behavioral interventionists, instructional coaches, mental health professionals and support for early education and special education services.
All staff in neighboring St. James Parish will also see a more competitive pay scale.
“Our newly-approved salary schedule brings a more-competitive pay scale for all positions district-wide, which is important for employee recruitment and retention,” said Sarah Forsythe, public information manager for St. James Parish Schools.
The district is also buzzing with construction projects to improve the school’s offerings in athletics and extracurriculars.
“The largest construction project is the Lutcher High School Gymnasium renovation which is expected to be complete in September,” said Sarah Forsythe, public information manager for St. James Parish Schools.
Other construction projects that are in process or will begin soon include the St. James High School Tennis Courts, Lutcher High School Softball Field Renovation, St. James High School Media Studio and major drainage projects
In student achievement, seven students who scored 30+ on ACT exam, and six students scored Platinum on WorkKeys during the 2024-2025 school year.
Students also got hands-on workforce training. During the last school year, 84 high school seniors who had paid internship opportunities throughout the community.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
