Armato talks business to business group

Being a superintendent these days is about more than just education, St. Mary public schools superintendent Leonard Armato said Monday at a meeting of the St. Mary Industrial Group.
“You have to be from the business side as well as the education side,” Armato said at the Petroleum Club event.
“Working with a budget close to $100 million and you only know about education and don’t know anything about the business part, it just doesn’t work as a superintendent.”
Armato feels his experience in accounting and education is a benefit as he works with his chief financial officer, Alton Perry. His understanding of business makes for better decision making in a good way for the system, Armato said.
“The school system has to put out product that businesses can employ and I need to know what you need to make that happen.”
Armato has served as an educator in St. Mary Parish for 29 years. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, supervisor, and now superintendent of schools. He is a product of St. Mary Parish schools.
Before beginning his career in education, he had three years in accounting.
Among St. Mary Parish challenges is the number of high school graduates not moving forward to pursue higher education or vocational training after graduation.
“Right now, we have about 50 percent of our high school graduates attend either a four- or two-year program,” Armato said.
In order to rectify what’s happening to the other 50 percent, career track programs such as Jumpstart are being implemented.
“This is what we want to address this school year,” said Armato.
To meet the needs of the 50 percent not going to college, the Jumpstart program offers a pathway into careers to work as an emergency medical technician, certified nursing assistant, manufacturing, oil and gas, and hospitality industry.
However, student and parent buy-in for the Jumpstart program is key.
“Too many students are leaving our system today not prepared to work,” Armato said. “When this happens it breeds unemployment, drugs, and jail time.
“When we pick up our newspaper, we see half a page of our kids in arrest reports. It’s because they didn’t get the education that they needed to get a job.”
The superintendent takes ownership in being responsible for student outcomes.
“We have to do a better job because we’ll end up supporting these people for the rest of our lives with our taxpaying dollars.”
He proposed going a different route using taxpayers’ money based on the needs of students will allow more opportunities for kids to succeed.
On the upside, Armato reported the school system is among the top five statewide for its technological infrastructure, according to the Louisiana Department of Education.
With accessibility to a virtual school here in the parish, a student “can sit home in the bed with a computer and take every class they need to get a high school diploma.”
“There’s not a reason why students can’t get an education. If they can’t get an education it’s because they don’t want one,” Armato said.
The virtual school also helps kids with TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students). TOPS is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either one of the Louisiana public colleges and universities, or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Private schools in the area have access to the virtual school.
The superintendent is proud of the measures taken to ensure school safety.
“Keeping schools safe is our No. 1 priority,” Armato said.
This story was written by Shea Drake. She can be reached at sdrake@daily-review.com.