[History Of Chalmette High School]

The history of Chalmette High School began in 1928 with the addition of a freshman class to Meraux Elementary School. It is believed that an additional grade level was added each of three subsequent years until a four year institution could be established. It is interesting to note that prior to 1928, any student wanting a high school diploma had to transfer to an Orleans Parish Public School. Orleans Parish agreed to educate any secondary student from St. Bernard for a nominal annual fee, which was paid by St. Bernard Parish School Board.

In the fall of 1931, the co-ed secondary school moved to the Friscoville Street site of the former Arabi Elementary School and was named Maumas High School. At this time, St. Bernard named its first high school administrator, Olga Teberne, who served as principal until 1947. In the spring of 1932, Maumas High School graduated its first senior class, comprised of only nine pupils.

(Maumas High School)

In 1947, Joseph Davies became principal, and the name of the school was changed to Arabi High School. The spring of 1948 saw 30 pupils graduate. In 1954, the school moved to the present Chalmette Middle School site, and the name was changed to Chalmette High School. In the spring of that school year, a class of 49 graduated. Coincidentally, the first graduation panel portfolio that graces the hall of Chalmette High School happens to be from the class of 1955.

Maumas High a.k.a. Arabi High a.k.a. Chalmette High remained the only high school in St. Bernard Parish until 1955. As St. Bernard Parish grew, it became impossible for one high school to service the entire parish. At that time, St. Bernard High School was opened at the present site of Beauregard Middle School. St. Bernard High School was a small, co-ed high school established to serve the lower end of St. Bernard Parish.

During these years of many changes (1928-1956), the schools of St. Bernard Parish were under the leadership of superintendent J. F. Gauthier. While Mr. Davies was in the service of our country, Betrand Dalier was an "acting" principal for Chalmette High School. In 1957, James Sprinkle became principal when Joseph Davies became superintendent. In 1961, the school graduated with 129 students. This was the last class to graduate from the middle school building. In the fall of 1961, the students moved to the newly built Chalmette Senior High School. Mr. Bufford Jones was made principal of
the new school.

In the fall of 1966, Chalmette High School became an all boys high school. This helped meet the demand of more classrooms to house the ever growing school population. The solution to the problem of having four co-ed high schools was to segregate by sex. This would cut costs drastically since the parish would only have to build and maintain two stadiums instead of four.

In 1967, Raymond Kent became principal. The year 1967 brought two big changes to Chalmette High Senior High School: a new principal was appointed and St. Bernard Community College was established. Chalmette shared its campus with the college until the fall of 1992 when the State Legislature merged Elaine P. Nunez Technical Institute and St. Bernard Community College to form a comprehensive Elaine P. Nunez Community College, which was housed on the technical school's campus.

During the 1968-1969 term, the school's name was officially changed to Chalmette High School. The year 1971 brought construction to Chalmette High. As the school population grew, more space was needed. An addition was built that is still referred to as "the new building."

Wayne Warner, the present principal, was handed the reins in 1973. The leadership of the parish schools has changed four times since then. Buford Jones was superintendent from 1975-1981. Dr. Elizabeth Zimmermann became superintendent in 1981. Dr. Zimmermann's retirement in 1986 brought Dr. Daniel Daste to the helm of St. Bernard Parish Schools. Chalmette High, along with all the middle and high schools in St. Bernard Parish, returned to co-ed status in 1988. Frank Auderer, the current superintendent, was appointed in 1996.

Chalmette High School has seen only six principals in its 68 years. Wayne Warner has been the leader of this school for the past 30 years. From its inception in 1928 until now, as the school population increased and changed with the times, so did Chalmette High to accomodate growth throughout St. Bernard Parish. The school has evolved to meet the increasing demands of an everchanging society. The history of Chalmette High carries on from this moment; in many ways it is just beginning.

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Prepared and arranged by Gina Mahl