Nice Première: Mrs. Rampal, how did the start of the 2006 school year go?
Agnès Rampal: The start of the school year went very well this year. The Academic Inspectorate had well anticipated the opening and closing of classes; the schools were ready thanks to the work of the services, and the two new schools were delivered on time.
NP: What are the major new developments for this new school year in Nice?
AR: Two new schools: Raymond Moretti: 3 kindergarten classes, 5 elementary classes; a gymnasium and the conservatory school with 1 school of 4 classes with adjusted schedules and 1 school with 1 kindergarten and 3 elementary classes.
NP: How is the computerization of Nice’s school groups progressing?
AR: No major change this year, however, we are working on renewing and standardizing the entire computer fleet of schools for next year!! This will involve installing 1,900 workstations!!
NP: Can you revisit the issue of the Sodexho file regarding school catering in Nice?
AR: The municipal services, under the impulse of Juliana Chichmanian, have worked a lot and well to establish this new delegation, but there is a discrepancy in the interpretation of a date in the community code between the City and the Prefecture. From my side, I would say that the change went well since there was no “interruption of public service”: at the end of August, when the leisure centers closed, the former delegate left, and at the beginning of September, 20,000 schoolchildren had lunch in their cafeterias!!!
NP: There was some dissatisfaction last year with the meals served by Sodexho. Do you know if measures have been taken to improve children’s meals?
AR: Absolutely, we have passed the complaints on to Sodexho, and they also conducted a satisfaction survey; this year, changes in the menu composition should please both young and old!! That said, pleasing 20,000 schoolchildren at every meal is an impossible mission!!
NP: What is the assessment of the Nice Plus card?
AR: A very encouraging assessment: over 9,000 cards distributed in 2 months; parents were satisfied that they only had one form to fill out even though we had some problems on the day of registration: an internet network failure from our operator!!! To prevent this from happening again, we will install a completely independent network; for next year, registration and payment should be possible online if all goes well!!
NP: What are the projects concerning the school life in Nice?
AR: A novelty in experimentation: the “city classes” at Impératrice Eugénie: the same principle as the environmental class but without sleepovers: thus, classes that never leave Nice for stays elsewhere can have classes “elsewhere” “in the city” and discover with their teacher this wonderful center and the activities it offers!!
NP: Next year, we will move to a 4-day week. What is your opinion on this point?
AR: The National Education proposes this derogatory rhythm of 4 days; for a long time, we received requests to switch to 4 days, but we did not know how to quantify this demand: the survey we conducted (14,000 responses!!!) showed that the majority of parents, teachers, and municipal school staff wish to benefit from it. The school councils were also consulted: we can ask the Inspector of the Academy for this change without any qualms!!! It clearly corresponds better to the rhythm of our modern life!
NP: Numerous delegations (education, IT, universities…), a job as a Doctor… But what drives Agnès Rampal?
AR: When the Senator Mayor offered me to work in his team, I admit that I didn’t really know what I was going to do!!! But now I am passionate: we are really at the heart of the action, and we can make things evolve!!! Also, you know, now my daughters have flown the nest, and I have a lot more time!!
NP: Finally, what do you think of the General Council’s idea to offer a USB flash drive to middle school students in the 06 area?
AR: Great idea!!! No more heavy backpacks that deform the back!! And especially the dissemination of the use of this new tool that all young people must completely master!!
