St. Mary Parish School Board votes to open superintendent search; legal counsel outlines process

The St. Mary Parish School Board voted Feb. 5 to begin the public search for a new superintendent following the resignation and retirement of Dr. Fagan Bush, leaving Doctor Sanders as interim superintendent.

Legal counsel described the statutory baseline for the search process, saying, “The default minimum advertising requirements for that notice of vacancy and request for applications is you have to advertise in your official journal two times, within one week of post,” and that the board must also advertise in a larger nearby market (the counsel cited Lafayette as an example). Counsel recommended additional notices to the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana School Boards Association and the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents to increase the candidate pool.

Counsel explained typical practices for screening and confidentiality: the board may use a temporary PO box to receive applications so names are not checked until the advertising period closes; the board president and vice president would retrieve submitted materials; an outside HR director from another parish may review applications for legal eligibility before interviews. Counsel said advertising commonly runs about 30 days and noted the board’s prior salary range for the position had been $120,000 to $140,000, though “that’s just the range” and the final offer would depend on the candidate pool.

Board members moved and seconded a motion to begin the process as recommended by counsel; the motion passed with a unanimous voice vote. Board members said they will be kept apprised as advertisements are scheduled and applications are received.

The board did not set a final timeline for interviews or hiring at the Feb. 5 meeting; next procedural steps will depend on the number and qualifications of applicants and on the schedule for public notices.