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Board appoints Dr. Shirley Lewis interim superintendent amid calls for deaf representation
Summary
After candidate presentations and sustained public comment from deaf-community advocates about recent removals and representation, the Board appointed Dr. Shirley Lewis interim superintendent in a 6–1 roll-call vote and granted her signing authority.
The Board of Directors of the Special School District appointed Dr. Shirley Lewis as interim superintendent on a 6–1 roll-call vote after two candidates introduced their qualifications and community members pressed for deaf representation on the board.
Dr. Shirley Lewis, who serves in central-office leadership roles within the Special School District, outlined her background in special education and her priorities for the interim post, including teacher quality, professional development and consistent instructional materials. "It is a district's responsibility to make sure that every child has a teacher who is wellprepared that is content strong," Lewis said in her remarks.
Dr. Kathy Seagars, the other candidate, described three decades of experience with state education agencies serving blind and deaf-blind students and said she is taking sign-language classes to improve communication with students. "I am not a proficient signer, but I am signed up for the next sign language class," Seagars said.
During public comment, Jay Ish, executive director of the Louisiana Association of the Deaf, urged the board to use disability-centered search strategies and insisted the board ensure deaf representation on appointments and searches. "We have no deaf representation on this board at all," Jay Ish said, calling for the board to consult the Louisiana Association of the Deaf, the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf and the Deaf Action Center on future searches.
Newly elected President Jamar Inis moved to appoint Dr. Lewis and asked the board to act promptly; the motion was seconded and approved by roll-call. Ronnie Morris said he voted no on that appointment because he wanted more discussion before a final appointment. The board later unanimously granted Dr. Lewis signing authority for district business.
Counsel Andre Bourgeoa advised the board about open-meeting compliance and referenced Louisiana RS427A1 as the authority for potential executive-session discussion of candidates’ professional qualifications; the board proceeded with candidate presentations in public and then voted on the appointment.
The board also asked members to provide availability to President Inis so a follow-up meeting can be scheduled within 30 days to ratify prior actions and continue the superintendent search. Commenters asked that the next steps include disability‑centered search practices and stronger transparency about prior membership changes.
The board adjourned after setting the schedule and appointments. The transcript records community allegations about removed board members and representation but does not contain a board resolution addressing those allegations; those claims remain unresolved on the record and will require follow-up verification.
