The Allen Parish School Board will hold a special meeting at 6:15 p.m. June 13 to discuss naming an interim superintendent and qualifications of the position after the board failed Monday to break an ongoing stalemate to choose the district’s next superintendent.

“The purpose of the meeting will be to try to appoint an interim superintendent to serve until the board can break its deadlock,” Board President Kevin Tyler.

The new eight-member board continues to be deadlock in its vote for a new superintendent following five meetings and seven votes all ending in a tie between the district’s Child Welfare, Attendance and Transportation Supervisor Kenney Courville of Kinder and Secondary Supervisor of Instruction and Assessment Brad Soileau of Oakdale.

A majority vote of five board members is needed to elect the next superintendent.

Board members Pete Cavenah, Greg Monceaux, Carolyn Manuel and Kevin Tyler have continued to cast their votes favor of Courville. Sally Moreaux, Farris, Karen Reed and Carleen Mahfaffey have continued to support Soileau.

“It’s obvious this eight-member board is a debacle and we are not going to get anywhere,” board member Cathy Farris said.

After the meeting, Tyler said the board is considering several options in moving the selection of a new superintendent forward. Several of those options, including restarting the application process, building in a tie breaker into the board’s policy and continuing to pursue a break in the deadlock were discussed at Monday’s meeting.

Superintendent Kent Reed, who plans to retire June 30, said a superintendent in either capacity as a full-time position or interim position is needed to move the district forward.

“This is the busiest time of year for this office, our people need someone in the position to make decisions.” Reed said.

During a meeting Monday, board members questioned what qualifications an interim superintendent would need to temporarily fill the seat.

An interim superintendent can serve a maximum of six months. The candidate can also be from within the school district or from outside the district, according to Tyler.

The board was also slated to go into executive session to discuss the professional competency of the applicants, instead board member Cathy Farris and Sally Moreaux pushed to discuss the matter in public citing the need for transparency.

At issue is Courville’s disciplinary role and proof of certification. Courville told the board he had been certificated by the state as an administrative assistant. 

The board also tabled the discussion and consideration of the appointment of an interim superintendent to today to allow the board to receive guidance from its legal advisors.