Board approves time-only extension to superintendent's contract after debate over process

The St. Landry Parish school board voted on April 9, 2026 to approve a time-only extension of the superintendent's contract and authorized the board president to negotiate an amended and restated employment agreement, without increasing the superintendent's compensation.

Board members spent significant time debating procedure and timing before the vote. Several trustees said they wanted to see the specific proposed contract language before committing to an extension; one trustee asked, "I just wanna be clear about what we what we're doing versus what the item is saying," and pressed for the text of the proposed amendment. The board's legal counsel told trustees the vote under consideration would change only the contract's end date and would trigger an amended and restated contract to be prepared and reviewed, adding, "So tonight, superintendent will be seeking the extension." (Board attorney)

Union and community voices urged approval. The union representative told the board that replacing the superintendent at this moment would cause an unstable transition, saying, "We would definitely have a muddy transition if we were to change superintendents at the time when this contract would expire." (Union representative)

Trustees who supported the extension described the superintendent's work as progressing and said additional time would let ongoing initiatives continue. A pro-extension trustee asked members to consider that "things are happening in a forward direction" and urged colleagues to give the superintendent time to finish projects. Several trustees emphasized that the motion as read did not include any pay increase: the request was for an extension of the term only.

The motion, read aloud by the chair, instructed that the board approve an extension of the superintendent's contract end date, with no increase or modification to compensation, and authorized the board president to negotiate the amended and restated contract to reflect the extension, subject to final board approval. After the motion was moved and seconded, the chair called for a voice vote and declared the motion approved.

What happens next: per the discussion on the record, the board president will receive authority to negotiate the contract revisions with the superintendent; any amended and restated contract will return to the full board for final approval. Trustees repeatedly noted that personnel terms are typically handled in executive session and that the president's negotiations will inform the final document.

The board then continued with its agenda, including facilities and personnel items, and announced an upcoming executive session to discuss litigation.