AMY SZPARA

RESERVE – At a special St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting Thursday night, board members and concerned locals discussed strategies for the search for a new superintendent. Superintendent Chris Donaldson announced his retirement “for personal reasons” to board members on Jan. 18 and his staff and the public the day after. Setting the retirement date for June 30, Donaldson left the board with over five months to find a replacement. Board President Gerald J. Keller allowed concerned community members to voice their opinions before the board began its discussion. Those who chose to speak complained of poor community participation in the quest for a new superintendent. Only a handful of people attended the meeting, one local resident complained. The few community members who addressed the board all agreed board members should go back to their constituencies to get the public, especially parents of children in the public schools, involved in the process. “I don’t think there is anyone at this table who is prepared to nominate a superintendent at this time,” member Russ Wise said in response to public concern that a choice may have already been made. “Russ Wise has promised nothing to nobody.” Keller said, “I haven’t had any board members tell me that they have picked a superintendent. I’m here to listen to what the board has to say.” Board members agreed they had not made any decisions yet and they wished to have public forums before any decisions are made. They disagreed on how and where to find the applicants for the position, however. Some wanted to hire an executive search firm. Others thought that would be a waste of money. Wise said the board should pick someone from the community only if they are best for the job. He stated that a firm would be more objective. “We need outside help,” he said, asserting that he didn’t want their choice to seem like it was political. Board member Leroy Mitchell, Sr. contested that it would be political. “It’s always political,” he said. “My professional firm is the folks who elected me. This thing will never get away from politics.” He said the community has its likes and dislikes when it comes to people they would like to see in the position. “I will be talking to my folks first thing in the morning,” he said. ” I don’t think we listen to the public enough.” Other debate involved where to search for the right individual, nationwide, statewide or locally. Board member Clarence G. Triche said he had been on the board through five superintendents. “Two of them put us in so much red ink I thought we’d never get out of it,” he said. “We can find a person to show us how to spend a whole lot of money,” he added in response to the question of a nationwide search. “It’s happened twice before, and I don’t want to see it happen again. Those people from inside did a much better job. Outsiders know nothing about this parish. We need people who understand St. John Parish.” Though the process is still in question, board members agree that a plan needs to be set in place and that the public needs to become involved. Vice President Charles J. Watkins voiced concern over discussing strategy without first having the executive committee meet. The others agreed that the executive committee, consisting of Keller, Watkins and Wise, should meet to come up with a plan. The committee planned to meet again Friday morning.