Winn Parish School Board approves Oct. 15 leadership transition; superintendent to consult through year-end

The Winn Parish School Board on Oct. 6 approved a plan for a leadership transition that gives Superintendent-elect Troy Bell full responsibilities on Oct. 15, 2025 while keeping current Superintendent Al Simmons on staff through his Dec. 31, 2025 retirement and available to consult as needed.

The board adopted the change after the Personnel and Salary Committee recommended the timeline. The committee recommendation originated in a motion by Lance Underwood, seconded by Harry Scott; the full board approved the transition on a motion by Lance Underwood, seconded by Michelle Carpenter. The minutes do not record a roll-call vote tally.

The committee report discussed timing for transferring the official duties from Mr. Simmons to Dr. Bell and noted that Mr. Simmons will remain employed through Dec. 31, 2025 and be available to consult with the superintendent and/or the board. The minutes identify the superintendent in different places as “Al Simmons” (in committee text) and by signature as “Alfred L. Simmons.” The board minutes do not provide additional implementation details such as duties to be transitioned immediately, formal delegation documents, or any interim reporting requirements.

The board accepted the Personnel and Salary Committee report as read and then approved the recommendation to implement the transition. No public comment about the transition is recorded in the minutes. The minutes do not specify any budgetary changes associated with retaining Mr. Simmons through December.