Terrebonne Parish School Board hears public input as superintendent search continues

The Terrebonne Parish School Board heard public comment Tuesday evening focused on priorities for its next superintendent, with speakers urging the board to emphasize parental rights, constitutional protections and student safety.

At a special meeting that the board opened to public remarks on the superintendent search, residents read lists of qualifications they want the board to consider and described their concerns about pandemic-era policies, curriculum and communication. "We the People, citizens, believe the Terrebonne Parish school superintendent should be a person who has come to the realization that he or she has nothing to lose," said Vicky Cloche, a resident, reading a compiled statement from teachers, parents and taxpayers. Cloche listed criteria including fiscal responsibility, frequent communication with parents and resistance to state or federal "overreach."

The comment period included a range of speakers. Pedro Cuentes, a Houma dentist, told the board that community trust must be rebuilt and suggested creating a parent interview committee to increase parental voice in the selection process. "So many parents feel they don't have a voice," Cuentes said. Jacqueline B. Spencer, a mental-health administrator and former Terrebonne educator, said she wants a superintendent who "will keep my children safe" and who will collaborate with parents, teachers and health professionals to serve students with medical and behavioral needs.

Board members responded after public comment. Board member Matthew Ford said the district needs a "lifelong educator" in the superintendent's role in keeping with state certification guidance. "To be a superintendent of a school system, especially one as big as Terrebonne Parish, is definitely an honor and an achievement," Ford said. Several board members repeatedly emphasized that students' safety and educational needs must guide the choice: "If you put kids first, that's one of the most important things," one board member said.

The meeting included brief procedural votes to extend individual speakers' time and to adjourn; both motions were passed with no detailed roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.

The board and speakers also cited professional requirements from Louisiana certification guidance for superintendent candidates. The meeting transcript records a reading of the state standards (identified in the meeting as the Louisiana standard for state certified school personnel, "Bulletin 746/709," Education Leadership Certification Level 3, EDL-3), including referenced eligibility elements: a valid EDL or Louisiana administrative supervisor certification, at least five years of teaching experience, five years of successful administration or management at the assistant principal level or above (assistant principal experience limited to a maximum of two years), and passing scores on the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA).

Board members said the selection process is ongoing and invited further public input. Several board members asked residents to participate in additional meetings or outreach opportunities as the board narrows candidates.

The board did not take a final personnel vote at the meeting; the session focused on collecting public input and reiterating candidate requirements under state certification guidance.