Allen Parish is racing against the clock to make sure everything is in place for the opening of school on August 10. Newly appointed Superintendent Brad Soileau and outgoing Superintendent Kent Reed are preparing for new teacher orientation, administrative meetings, staff meetings and the return of students for the 2023-24 school year.
“The goal is to get school started; to get everybody in place,” Soileau said. “There’s new administration coming in.” He referred to new school leaders – including a principal (Mea Dillehay) and an assistant principal (to be named soon) at Elizabeth High and assistant principal at Oakdale High (Emily LaFauci).
Soileau said, “We are excited to welcome back our staff.”
As the school year starts, it is going to be busy for Soileau, who will be getting to know everyone and working on his own footprint for the district. He’s going to start that process with community meetings. Soileau is inviting parents, community members, board members, principals, teachers, etc. to come meet him and learn about his plans. He also wants to answer questions and hear from the community on how education should grow in this parish.
Each of the following Superintendent Community Meetings will start at 6 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
•Monday, August 14, Elizabeth (EHS Campus)
•Tuesday, August 15, Oakdale Schools (Oakdale High Auditorium)
•Thursday, August 17, Fairview (FHS Campus)
•Monday, August 21, Oberlin Schools (Oberlin High Gym)
•Tuesday, August 22, Kinder Schools (At KHS Gym)
•Thursday, 24, Reeves (RHS Campus)
Soileau said Reed has been really supportive. “He’s letting me take the wheel; letting me make decisions and start the school year.”
“Everyone has been very kind and so helpful.”
Another plan Soileau would like to see in place is to utilize more of the parish’s digital assets. He said Reed began the work, and he is going to add more steps to it. He will continue to utilize Facebook™ and the district’s website. He has named a district communication specialist for the parish who will be overlooking all of the digital communication for the parish. He’s going to send a district news letter to the faculty monthly to keep them abreast of education’s changes, news, wants, lists, etc.
“I’m excited to support everyone, listen to new ideas and make positive changes,” Soileau said of the upcoming year and his new job as the parish’s superintendent. He also asks everyone to keep an open mind as he brings his footprint to the district and begins moving the parish forward.
“We have a great parish,” Soileau said as he said there will be new ideas, new changes and a different approach. He believes some areas still need modernization, and he wants to make sure all students are prepared for the world they will reside in.
Patience will be a key thing for everyone as changes are made to benefit the parish. He said there will be a lot of things that remain in place, but he’s going to try new things. He’s going to push the envelope and wants the results to be positive for the parish.
Soileau is a native of Oakdale and graduate of Oakdale High School and McNeese. He has been married to his wife, Maggan Soileau, for 23 years. His wife works for SOWELA. They have one daughter, Christy, who is a sophomore at Louisiana Tech. His parents are Robert and Jean Soileau. His in-laws are Jan Young and Terry Young. And with 24 years of education in his background, he plans to use that knowledge in Allen Parish.
One of Soileau’s first messages to the district is, “Welcome back everyone – students, teachers, supervisors, administrations and all of our faculty.”
