The Jefferson Parish School Board unanimously voted to change the name of Ford Middle to the Emmett Gilbert School of Excellence at Ford. The change will take effect for the 2019-20 school year when Ford Middle is converted into a PK-8 school, which will serve students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight. Ford Middle currently serves students in grades six through eight.

Emmett C. Gilbert, Sr. was a lifetime educator in Jefferson Parish Schools. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Southern University in Baton Rouge, along with additional leadership classes at Southeastern University. He began his teaching career at Livaudais Junior High in 1970. Gilbert was an exceptional, demanding, and compassionate teacher and coach. He demanded excellence from all of his students and colleagues. He also worked many years in the district’s adult education system. He served as an administrator in the capacity of dean, assistant principal, and principal. Gilbert was very involved in his church, Dominion and Power Ministries, and his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He gave tirelessly to his students and community at large. Gilbert passed away in 2010. His wife, Beverly P. Gilbert, and children, Keva G. Jones, Emmett C. Gilbert, Jr., Kyle P. Gilbert, Tondra Gilbert, and Ennis Gilbert, are extremely honored and gracious to board member Billy North for authoring the reading and to the entire board for approving the name change.