Another special meeting has been called for Wednesday, May 24, to select a superintendent after the board remained in a deadlock vote after two meetings and a total of five paper ballot votes.
At its meeting on Thursday, May 11, and Monday, May 8, the board voted four-to-four for two of the three candidates who applied for the job – Kenney Courville, the district’s child welfare, attendance and transportation supervisor; Brad Soileau, the district’s instruction and assessment supervisor. After the first vote, the board eliminated the third candidate, Dwain Ducote, Vernon Parish’s transportation and maintenance director.
Board president Kevin Tyler explained to everyone that five votes from the eight board members were needed to choose one of the men. He conducted a paper ballot each time and then had the board member confirm their vote. Each vote ended with Courville being favored by board members Pete Cavenah (District Four), Greg Monceaux (Five), Carolyn Manuel (Six) and 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 Thursday’s meeting, the board heard from Attorney Jon Guice, who serves as the board’s attorney. He explained the procedure and what the board would have to do to choose a leader. After the first vote, which ended in a tie, he told the board it could vote again, take a recess, enter executive session and then return to vote or adjourn.
Farris questioned if Guice would sit in the executive session with the board. Guice explained the board also would have to ask the two candidates if they had any problem with an executive session and both agreed it would be okay for the board to enter executive session.
Approximately one hour late, the board returned to the meeting and took another paper ballot vote which ended in a four-to-four tie.
The board agreed to call a special meeting on May 24, at 5 p.m. During these two weeks, it is assumed the board will review the candidates, speak to their constitutes, review the candidates applications, etc., all in an attempt to be able to select a candidate at the next meeting.
Superintendent Kent Reed will retire on June 30.
