Changing of the guard at Abbeville High School

Phillip Freeman has a vision for Abbeville High School.
Right now, it’s only a vision held by the newly named principal of the school.
“I don’t have a plan that is on paper just yet,” Freeman said.
That will, of course, change during the coming weeks. What will assist that process is input from the school and community stakeholders. Freeman wants that input.
“I have met with more and more people this week,” Freeman said. “Community is very, very important. You also have to be able to communicate your vision. If you can do that, it gets easier.
“It’s all about an open line of communication.”
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said Freeman brings those qualities to the position.
“Mr. Freeman will be a great asset to the Abbeville school system,” Byler said. “He has a vision and a plan to create community excitement and parental participation in the schools. He also has an academic vision that will create opportunities for all at AHS to have a chance to succeed.”
Freeman will take over for outgoing Principal Brett Darby, who will become the new principal at Westminster Christian Academy in Lafayette. Darby, an Abbeville High alum, said the school has been an essential part of his life.
“Abbeville High School will always be a special place to me,” Darby said. “I am a 1988 graduate, former band director, former assistant principal and principal. Abbeville High School has played a major role in my personal and professional development. I am grateful to have been a part of such a high-quality school and district.
“I am looking forward to seeing AHS move forward with Mr. Freeman and the INCREDIBLE teachers!”
Freeman comes to Abbeville after spending the past two years as an assistant principal at North Vermilion Middle. He has also served in that capacity at Gueydan High and AHS. Freeman has seen what it takes to make a school run in all of those stops.
“Everything is a collaborative effort,” Freeman said. “It is a team thing.”
Freeman reiterated that the “team” is not limited to those inside the walls of AHS. While extremely important, Freeman said it is not even limited to parents.
“There are alumni and people who don’t have kids at Abbeville High,” Freeman said. “There are people who care about the school.
“I would love to have those people involved.”
Parents are important, and Freeman said he would work hard to nurture that partnership.
“I want them to understand that we have the same objective,” Freeman said, “which is the students. We may have different views on how to get there, but we are going to find ways to work together, to reach the same goal.
“Everyone has dreams and ambitions for their kids.”
Freeman certainly has them for his daughter, Whitney, who will be a senior at North Vermilion High School. His focus will be on Abbeville High, but, understandably, his heart will be in NV.
“That was a major hurdle for me even coming back to Abbeville,” Freeman admitted. “It’s going to be a hurdle now to manage to be there for her senior year while still giving my attention and focus to Abbeville High. I want to be successful here, but I want to see her grow and finish out high school. My wife (Laurel), daughter, and I are all on the same page.
“I need people to understand that I am committed to Abbeville.”
Again, Freeman wants to hear from anyone who feels a similar commitment to Abbeville High.
“It doesn’t matter who it is,” Freeman said. “I want to hear from anyone interested in Abbeville High.”