Vermilion Parish Principals of the Year named

There are numerous aspects that go into creating a successful school.
Leadership is among the most important.
The Vermilion Parish School System has honored three of its leaders by announcing the Principals of the Year.
This year’s award winners are:
• Elementary School Principal of the Year - Dawn Amy, Meaux Elementary
• Middle School Principal of the Year - Kandice Broussard, North Vermilion Middle
• High School Principal of the Year - Dr. Belisa Smith, Erath High
“Congratulations to the 2026 Vermilion Parish Principals of the Year,” Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said. “Through dedicated leadership, a heart for students, and a commitment to excellence, they continue to make a lasting impact on our school community. We are proud to recognize this well-deserved honor and grateful for the leadership that helps our schools grow and thrive.”
Amy, now in her ninth year at Meaux, was pleasantly surprised when district leaders arrived on campus to share the news.
“It came as a big surprise,” Amy said. “I thought the district people were here for something else. It wasn’t even on my radar.”
Amy’s experience helped Meaux navigate to its first A when the Louisiana Department of Education released its School Performance Scores this fall.
“Dawn Amy is a veteran administrator who led her staff to Meaux Elementary, achieving an A status for the first time ever,” Byler said. “They experienced great growth to move from a B to an A.”
For Amy, this award reflects just as much on Meaux as it does on her.
“I am so incredibly grateful and humbled to represent our school on the district level,” Amy said. “I think this honor belongs to our students, staff, and families in this community, who inspire me every day.”
Broussard aims to inspire students every day at North Vermilion Middle. Now in her second year, she has focused on building a culture that values positive learning experiences in the classroom.
“I am structured and focused on respect,” Broussard said. “When teachers are teaching, I want students to be respectful to the time teachers are putting into the classroom. We are very focused on instruction.
“We don’t have any distractions that interrupt instruction.”
Broussard also wants school to be enjoyable. Each week, students can join three-on-three basketball games, walk with friends while listening to music in the gym, play board games, and even line dance, which has become a school favorite.
“I have a lot of high energy, and I’m very creative,” Broussard said. “I make things fun. I want it to be fun here. It’s a culture change, making kids love coming to school.”
Byler said Broussard’s vision has indeed been a perfect fit for North Vermilion Middle.
Kandice is building a culture at NVMS that is so exciting,” Byler said. “The school is thriving in many areas and has experienced over three points of growth.
“Kandice has done an amazing job.”
Smith has achieved similar success during her four years at Erath High, which continues to receive high marks from the state.
“Belisa has helped Erath maintain their A status and is a vital part of the community culture of Erath,” Byler said.
Smith is thankful for the honor of being part of the Erath community.
“I am so incredibly honored and humbled by this announcement,” Smith said. “Everything we do at Erath High School is to safeguard our most precious gifts, our students. I am eternally grateful to EHS faculty and staff for everything they do to support our EHS Community.”