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Name: Phyllis Ayo
Election District: 11
Schools: Cypress Cove Elementary, Vincent Settlement Elementary, Vinton Elementary, Vinton Middle, Vinton High
Email: phyllis.ayo@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-794-8851
Biographical Information: Graduated for Vinton High School 1981, McNeese 1986 BS is Elementary Education, 1988 Masters in Admin and Supervision, 2003 my +30, 2007 Library Science Certification"I've taught for 31 years-Vinton Elem, Maplewood Middle, Leblanc, and FK White. Retired in 2017 and begin working at Calcasieu Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel. I love helping teachers and seeing the system from a different perspective.
Married to Warren Ayo for 12 years. We reside in Vinton. I have 5 grown children and a stepson. I have 9 grandchildren with number 10 on the way. We are a very close family, with all living in Calcasieu Parish. My hobbies include scuba diving, traveling, reading, cooking, canning, making jelly, tending to my chickens, camping, and time with my family. We are active members at St. Joseph's Catholic church."
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Name: Shawn Baumgarten
Election District: 15
Schools: Moss Bluff Elementary, Moss Bluff Middle, Sam Houston High
Email: shawn.baumgarten@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-400-0466
Biographical Information: "I graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1992 before attending Northwestern State University on an athletic scholarship. While at NSU I earned a bachelor's degree in general studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. I also earned a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Sports Administration. I'm employed by Instrumentation and Electrical Specialist as the Business Development manager. I've coached football at the college and high school level in the past. I'm also very active in the Moss Bluff community, coaching youth soccer, baseball and football in the past. I've been married 23 years to Monica, who is an educator at Gillis Elementary. We have 3 children: Noah, Emily and Adam. We attend First Moss Bluff Church. We've been quite busy over the last 22 years watching our children's sporting events: dance for Emily, and soccer, baseball and football for Noah and Adam. We have loved every minute of it. My hobbies include golf, hunting, traveling, watching sports and spending time with friends and family."
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Name: Billy Breaux
Election District: 13
Schools: Maplewood Elementary, Maplewood Middle, R.W. Vincent Elementary
Email: billy.breaux@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-625-9861
Biographical Information: As a lifelong resident of southwest Louisiana, Billy Breaux has served the Calcasieu Parish School Board and District 13 for over a decade with experience on all of the board’s committees.A Sulphur native, Mr. Breaux attended Maplewood Middle School and Sulphur High. He went on to Louisiana State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In 1990, Mr. Breaux returned to Sulphur to open an insurance agency. Over the years, he has earned the title of Senior Account Agent and received national recognition with the company as Line Leader, Quality Agent and Life Leader since 2000; National Champion since 1991, and Honor Ring since 1991. He currently works as the Territory Sales Manager for the Bankers Ins Group for the state of Louisiana.
When time permits, Mr. Breaux enjoys being an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, serving as a coach and sponsor for various sports teams with Sulphur Parks and Recreation, and contributing to Sulphur High School Athletics and Band. He has three children with wife Julie Trosclair Breaux, who has been a Calcasieu Parish teacher since 1989.
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Name: Russell Castille
Election District: 12
Schools: Frasch Elementary, W.T. Henning Elementary, E.K. Key Elementary, LeBlanc Middle/Drost School, W.W. Lewis Middle, Sulphur High
Email: russell.castille@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-526-6064
Biographical Information: Russell Castille is a 1991 graduate of Sulphur High School. He went to graduate from McNeese State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Management. Mr. Castille is a 2010 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1993 – 2000. He has been in banking for over 20 years and is currently employed with First Federal Bank of Louisiana as a Commercial and Residential lender.Mr. Castille currently serves on the West Cal Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is a member of the Sulphur Kiwanis club where he is currently serving as the club Treasurer. He has coached recreation sports and enjoys watching his children participate. He attends St. Theresa Catholic Church. He and his wife, Kathryn, have four children: Zachary, Sam, Anna, and Sarah.
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Name: Mary "Sister" Fontenot
Election District: 4
Schools: Barbe Elementary, T.S. Cooley Elementary, Prien Lake Elementary
Email: marye.fontenot@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-304-2089
Biographical Information:Mary “Sister” Fontenot, born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS degree and double Major in Business/English Education. She also holds a Masters in Supervision of Education from McNeese State University. She taught at Lee High School in Baton Rouge for three years on completion of her degree at LSU. After staying out of teaching for several years to raise her children, she returned to the teaching profession as an English/Business teacher at Barbe High School where she taught for 25 years. She also taught in the Summer Gifted Program at McNeese State University. She is currently a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association.
After retiring from teaching, she became a counselor at LA Weight Loss and worked her way up to Assistant Manager in a few short months. She has served in various community organizations, such as Junior League, Lake Charles Ballet Society, and Children’s Museum Board Member. She taught Physical Fitness Classes for over 30 years at Gigi’s Downtown and Gigi’s in South Lake Charles, later known as Christus of St. Patrick’s Athletic Club. She could often be seen warming up some group in Lake Charles who were doing a walk for a Charity, such as Autism, Suicide Prevention, Breast Cancer, etc.
She is deeply involved in the Republican Party and currently serves in several elected positions. She was elected as the President of the Republican Women of SWLA in 2017 and is now serving her seventh year in this position. She is also presently serving on the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women’s Board in the elected position of Recording Secretary, and she is currently an elected Board member of the Republican Calcasieu Parish Executive Committee, District 8, since 2018. She has been appointed on numerous occasions to be a Super Poll Watcher by various US Congressmen and Senators.
She and her husband Dr. Reed Fontenot, Jr., a retired Urologist, have seven children. They enjoy visiting with their grown children and their families who all live away from Lake Charles. They also enjoy world travel and have particularly enjoyed their trips to China, Africa, Peru, Galapagos Islands, and small river boat cruises in many European countries.
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Name: Glenda Gay
Election District: 3
Schools: Johnson Elementary, Pearl Watson Elementary, Ralph Wilson Elementary
Email: glenda.gay@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-515-5443
Biographical Information: With over four decades of experience in the field, Glenda Gay has impacted public education in Louisiana. Currently serving three consecutive terms representing District 3, she continues to be dedicated and determined to achieve even greater success for students across her state.Mrs. Gay believes all stakeholders deserve respect and access to resources that produce successful outcomes. For over forty years, she has continued her passion for serving on the school board and advocating for students, educators, and families in the community.
Mrs. Gay is a product of public schools and universities in Louisiana. After graduating from Union High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, she received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology from Grambling State University. She then earned a Master of Education +30 from McNeese State University.
For 33 years, Mrs. Gay was a speech pathologist in Calcasieu Parish Schools. During this time, she worked at over 25 schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Mrs. Gay has been a member of many service organizations in our city that support students, parents, and the community, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Top Ladies of Distinction, Louisiana Association of Educators, and Calcasieu Association of Educators.
Mrs. Gay has served on the Executive Board of the Black Heritage Festival of Lake Charles, Louisiana, for 38 years, with 8 of those years as Board President. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the NAACP Branch of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Mrs. Gay and her husband have been residents of Calcasieu Parish District 3 for over 50 years. Their two children are graduates of Calcasieu Parish Schools: Dr. Kenneth “Punchy” Gay, Jr., Lake Charles Boston Class of 1995, and Kelcey Gay-Mills, Lake Charles Boston Class of 1996. Her two grandchildren, Kendal Mose and Kaylyn Gay, also attended Calcasieu Parish Schools. Kendal Mose graduated from LaGrange High School in 2013.
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Name: Damon Hardesty
Election District: 9
Schools: S.P. Arnett Middle, Western Heights Elementary, Westlake High, Westwood Elementary
Email: damon.hardesty@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-313-8502
Biographical Information: Mr. Hardesty graduated from Westlake High School in 1994 before going on to attend McNeese State University. He became an entrepreneur early in life, owning a business for the first time in 1997. He operated that business, Hardesty Lawn Maintenance, for 11 years and also became co-owner/president of Sun, L.L.C. in January 2004. As of 2013, Mr. Hardesty is the sole owner of Sun, L.L.C.He is also very active in the community, filming all games for the Westlake High School football program for 13 years and serving as the Booster Club President from 2010-2012 and in 2015.
He and his wife, Amanda, have two children: Jackson and Hadley. He attends Westwood Baptist Church and is a member of ACTS. Mr. Hardesty has coached recreation sports for several years and enjoys watching his own children participate in athletics. His hobbies include playing golf, running, traveling, and spending time with his family.
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Name: Karen Hardy McReynolds
Election District: 2
Schools: J.D. Clifton Elementary, Combre Fondel Elementary, Molo Middle, Washington Marion High
Email: karen.hardymcreynold@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-438-6466
Biographical Information:
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Name: Aaron Natali
Election District: 1
Schools: Bell City High, Gillis Elementary, Iowa High/Middle, LeBleu Settlement Elementary, J.I. Watson Elementary
Email: aaron.natali@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-540-2695
Biographical Information: Aaron Natali will represent District 1.Mr. Natali obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from McNeese State University. As a member of financial planning industry, he currently serves as a representative of Northwestern Mutual.
In his spare time, he loves to hunt, raise cattle, and spend time with his wife Christy and their three children: Gene, Joe, and Luke.
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Name: Patrick Pichon
Election District: 5
Schools: College Oaks Elementary, Dolby Elementary, Henry Heights Elementary, LaGrange High, F.K. White Middle
Email: patrick.pichon@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-764-1474
Biographical Information:
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Name: Dean Roberts
Election District: 6
Schools: Barbe High, St. John Elementary
Email: dean.roberts@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-515-4724
Biographical Information:Dean Roberts represents District 6 on the Calcasieu Parish School Board.Mr. Roberts is an alumnus of Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. He attended McNeese State University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences.
He works for Stream Companies and Stream Wetland Services as a wetland biologist and licensed contractor. He designs, constructs, and vegetates wetlands along the central gulf coast and assists in the land management and stewardship of private properties in Louisiana. He has also worked with local, state, and federal agencies and major industrial companies to combat the loss of coastal wetlands.
He and his wife Brooke, a special education teacher in Calcasieu, have two children, Jessica and Wade. Mr. Roberts enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family.
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Name: Eric Tarver
Election District: 8
Schools: Kaufman Elementary, Nelson Elementary, S.J. Welsh Middle
Email: eric.tarver@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-478-3511, 337-965-8095
Biographical Information: Eric Tarver is the District 8 representative for the Calcasieu Parish School Board.As a graduate of Calcasieu Parish public schools, he attended McNeese State University receiving a degree in electrical engineering.
Mr. Tarver created Tarver Media Productions, which was in operation from 2001-2010. Currently, he works as the chief financial officer for Lake Charles Toyota.
In his spare time, he follows science/sci-fi literature and television shows and plays volleyball, golf, and video games. He also enjoys jogging with his wife.
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Name: Rev. Desmond Wallace
Election District: 14
Schools: Fairview Elementary, Kennedy Elementary
Email: desmond.wallace@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-302-6184
Biographical Information:Rev. Wallace graduated from Washington- Marion Magnet High School in 1999. He holds a Master of Arts in Ministry with a concentration in Practical Theology and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a concentration in Public Administration.
Rev. Wallace has over 23 combined years of faith-based & community service experience. Rev. Wallace currently serves as: senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Sulphur/ Mossville, La., Project Director for the McNeese State University Upward Bound Program (a TRIO Program under the U.S. Department of Education), a member of the Calcasieu Parish School Board representing District 14, and an Online Adjunct Professor at Ohio Christian University. Rev. Wallace also has over 20 years of law enforcement experience having served as a full-time, & Reserve Deputy for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO), and prior to CPSO, served as a Corrections Officer for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
Rev. Wallace is married to Melonie, and they have three children: Darrius, Deseree,' & Danyele.
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Name: Betty Washington, Ed.D.
Election District: 7
Schools: Brentwood Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Oak Park Middle, T.H. Watkins Elementary
Email:betty.washington@cpsb.org
Phone: 337-526-4774
Biographical Information: Dr. Betty J. Washington is married to Smith Washington and has three children, Shavondalyn Scott, Razonda Landry, and Rhay Scott. She has 11 adorable grandchildren, and they call her Honey.She graduated from Grambling State University earning Bachelor and Master of Science degrees with a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education, and from Illinois State University, earning a Doctorate in Special Education Administration. Dr. Washington received recognition while attending Illinois State University for maintaining a 4.0 during her first year of studies and as the recipient of the Douglas MacArthur Fellowship. Dr. Washington also attended University of Louisiana Monroe, Northwestern State University, and Louisiana Tech to complete over 10 areas of teacher certification as a teacher, supervisor, principal, and superintendent.
Dr. Washington has worked in all levels of education, from day care centers to teaching university undergraduate and graduate courses. She has served as a teacher/instructor for several districts, universities, and other facilities. She moved to Lake Charles and became principal of JD Clifton Elementary School.
Under her leadership, the school received national recognition as a high poverty, high performing school by the organization Children First, having improved the performance of students from 33% to 98%. Dr. Washington was selected as Calcasieu Elementary Principal of the Year. She has served Calcasieu Parish as a teacher, principal, supervisor, director, administrative director, and currently serves as a school board member.
She is a member of Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta, NAACP, National Association of Special Education Teachers, Grambling State University Alumni Association (Lifetime Member), and Illinois State University Alumni Association.
