Abbeville elementary school system could be changing

At a recent Vermilion Parish School Board meeting, Superintendent Tommy Byler shared his “Vision 2024” plan for Abbeville’s elementary school system.
Byler proposed the idea of closing one of the city’s two elementary schools – Eaton Park Elementary and Herod Elementary – and consolidating all students into a single elementary school.
“I am asking permission to move forward,” Byler said. “I do not feel like having a K-2 school at Eaton Park and a 3-5 school at Herod is necessary. I feel like we are doubling our resources. We have talked about community schools and community models.”
Over the last five years, Abbeville has operated both Eaton Park and Herod Elementary schools, with the former serving kindergarten through second grade and the latter serving third through fifth grade.
However, Byler believes that consolidating the two schools will help save resources and better serve the community.
Next year, the projected numbers of elementary student in Abbeville will be 675. Herod Elementary can house 550 to 600 students.
Under the preliminary consolidation plan, Herod Elementary would become a community school serving kindergarten through fifth grade, providing tailored services and support to fit the neighborhood’s needs.
Its new school name would be Herod Elementary Community School
Meanwhile, Eaton Park Elementary would be transformed into the Eaton Park Elementary Center, housing the Virtual Vermilion alternative school, truancy office, and parenting center.
While the idea of closing Eaton Park Elementary is still in its early stages, Byler has already met with faculty members and school administrators to discuss the proposal.
He did not give a specific timeline for when the transition will occur if it ever does.
“I am still exploring it. The school administrators know. I met with the faculty of those two schools,” Byler said.
Byler emphasized the importance of stability and longevity in the schools, stating that changing teachers each year will not fix any issues that may arise.