Superintendent Kent Reed’s retirement date is June 30, and board members are still deadlock over who should fill his shoes after several meetings and votes. Another meeting has been scheduled for Monday, June 5, at 7 p.m.
The board consists of eight districts, and the vote continues to be four-to-four, deadlock, between Kenney Courville, the district’s child welfare, attendance and transportation supervisor; and Brad Soileau, the district’s instruction and assessment supervisor. Both candidates would make a great superintendent, according to comments made in the meetings. Some members have suggested creating another process, like rating resumes, to help break the tie. However, meetings on May 8, 11, and May 24, all with executive sessions held by board members, have not ended with a plan to attempt to choose between the two candidates.
Could the June 5, meeting be different as the hourglass moves closer to the end of June when Reed will leave the district. Board members were asked to speak to constituents over the next two weeks in an attempt to make the right decision and choose a superintendent.
Three paper ballots were taken at the May 8, meeting ending in a tie; two at the May 11, meeting and one at the May 24, meeting. Each vote ended with Courville being favored by board members Pete Cavenah (District Four), Greg Monceaux (Five), Carolyn Manuel (Six) and Kevin Tyler (Seven). Soileau’s name was written on the ballots by Sally Moreaux (One), Cathy Farris (Two), Karen Reed (Three) and Carleen Mahaffey (Eight).
At the May 24, meeting, Attorney John Guice was present to answer questions once again, virtually. A vote was taken, and Manuel asked to add executive session to the agenda and then voted to enter executive session at 5:05 p.m. Guice’s recommendation was to speak to the candidates to make sure they had no complaints, and both candidates assured them it was okay. The board returned to the meeting at 6:15 p.m. and set the next meeting for June 5, at 7 p.m. before adjourning.
