School Board Member Qualifies For Re-Election

Joseph “Joe” V. Long has announced his candidacy for re-election to the St. Bernard Parish School Board representing District 5. Long points to his experience, training, and efforts in rebuilding the school district following Katrina as his primary qualifications for the seat.

First elected to the School Board in 1987, Long has brought his leadership to the Board in several ways. As a past Chairman of the Board’s Building and Grounds Committee, Long has used his expertise to assist in the building and reconstruction of the state-of-the-art school buildings for our children without using local money or raising taxes. Additionally, as a past Chair of the Insurance Committee, he relied on that experience as he worked with school officials to secure maximum dollars in coverage pay-outs following the 2005 disaster. He has been Board Vice-President and has chaired the Executive Committee, currently serving as its Co-Chair. He also currently serves as one of the Board’s liaisons to the Louisiana Legislature.

Long has had extensive training for his service on the Board. During his tenure, he has attended training sessions on public bid law, school safety and security, governance and ethics, literacy, and financial disclosure. “As a Board Member, I bring not only experience but also expertise in current, pressing issues facing school districts today,” said Long. “ My goals as your representative are to be as knowledgeable and prepared as possible as I join with other Board members in preserving our school district its place among the elite in our state.”

Long is married to Dardenella Perez Long, and together they enjoy their 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. “As a parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent of public school students, I have a personal interest in a school system that is stable, effective over time, and known year-after-year as one that works well with the children we serve,” he said.

A 1967 graduate of St. Bernard High School, Long achieved a certificate in computer programing and operations from the Electronic Data Processing Institute of New Orleans. He also attended the University of New Orleans and Loyola University. He is a retired production worker for Murphy Oil and Amoco Production Company. He was the Financial Secretary, President, and Vice-President of the United Steelworkers Local 8363 and was a delegate to the greater New Orleans AFL-CIO Executive Board.

Long is a past member of the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus 5747 of Chalmette, and Versailles Booster Club. He also has coached baseball at Versailles Park, and he is a member of the St. Bernard Reading Council and is a parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church.

“I am honored by the residents of District 5 as they have allowed me to represent them in securing strong public schools for our children and our community,” Long said. “I am excited and humbled by the possibility that we can continue our work together, and I ask for your vote on November 6.”

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