Despite the Calcasieu Parish school district exceeding its allotted number of weather days, the school year will not be extended.

Superintendent Shannon LaFargue announced at the Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting on Tuesday that after meeting with State Superintendent Cade Brumley and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District Rep. Kevin Berken the requirement to meet the minimum number of instructional minutes was waived due to severe weather this spring.

The last day of school for the 2023-24 school year in Calcasieu Parish will be Wednesday, May 22. It will be a half-day.

Superintendent search

The board has approved a plan for the new superintendent selection process.

Last week, LaFargue announced his retirement after nearly two years of serving as superintendent. The announcement followed weeks of public controversy in April regarding the district’s decision to keep schools open on April 10 despite severe weather.

The board voted to make one amendment to the plan. To increase the possible candidate pool, the board will interview at least 50 percent of the candidates who apply instead of interviewing three finalists.

Two proposed amendments to the plan failed: one to allow candidates with an Educational Leader 2 endorsement with 10 years of administrative experience to apply and one to appoint an interim superintendent to extend the hiring process.

The finalist interviews will take place on July 8 and 9. The new superintendent will be appointed on July 9, and the details of the superintendent contract will be negotiated on July 11.