New principals named for Hattie Watts, M.E. Norman

The St. Mary Parish School Board has appointed two new principals to lead local elementary schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
Sheryl Gibbons will be retiring as principal of Hattie Watts Elementary. having served as part of the school's administration for eight years. Her impending retirement has led to the appointment of Brianna Comeaux to serve as Hattie Watts' principal for the upcoming school year.
Comeaux is currently assistant principal of Berwick Elementary, a position she has held for the last 6 years.
The recent appointment of Shannon Hoffpauir as elementary/middle school supervisor opened the position of principal at Norman Elementary School. Prior to being named as the district’s newest instructional supervisor, Hoffpauir served as a curriculum facilitator at Wyandotte, Bayou Vista, and Norman Elementary Schools and assistant principal at Hattie Watts and Bayou Vista elementary schools.
Her administrative experience will be of significant benefit to her successor, Superintendent Teresa Bagwell said in a press release. Ronica LaPoint was selected to become the newly installed principal of Norman Elementary. Prior to her appointment, LaPoint served as assistant principal at both Patterson Junior High and Hattie Watts.
"Inevitably," Bagwell said, "the principal selection process leads to further openings in the assistant principal role that will be the focus of upcoming interviews. Both Hattie Watts and Norman Elementary Schools are recognized for their ongoing academic performance growth and innovative approaches to educating students.
"The newly appointed principals will immediately begin training for their new role as the school system conducts workshops for school leaders and teachers throughout the summer."