Brown says he is staying as superintendent

If the crowd of people at Thursday’s St. Landry Parish School Board meeting expected to see action on hiring a new superintendent, they will have another chance at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
That’s when the board scheduled a special meeting to discuss the details about the hiring process.
In May, the board voted against renewing Edward Brown’s contract.
Last week, the board refused to guarantee it would allow Brown to serve until his contract expires on Dec. 31. The board also heard from its attorney, Bob Hammonds, on an outline of issues involved in hiring a new superintendent.
Those issues were on Thursday’s agenda, but the board postponed those details to the Tuesday meeting.
At the end of Thursday’s meeting, Brown said, “I always liked to say this. I’ve spent my entire life in St. Landry Parish. I would have loved to continue until the end of the year and this is still my plan, but the board I serve at your pleasure and I just want to make that known.”
Brown said said he met Thursday afternoon with board President Raymond Cassimere and Vice President Randy Wagley in Brown’s office about possibly leaving earlier than Dec. 31, The Advocate reported.
“They made a presentation to me about that, and it was an offer that I have chosen not to accept. That’s all I can really say about it,” Brown told The Advocate. “I still plan to remain as superintendent until my contract ends in December.”
The board received an offer of support from Sue Brignac, chairwoman of Vision St. Landry, in a letter she read.
“We want you to know we understand the magnitude, the significance and the urgency in identifying the next dynamic leader of our schools if we are going to keep our parish moving forward,” Brignac said.
“We want you to know we are here to provide support,” she said.
“We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of or to provide input into the selection process,” she said.
Brignac suggested the meetings with the board and luncheon meeting at the St. Landry Economic Development office in Opelousas the third week of July with board officers and committee chairmen.
Eunice School Board member Mary Ellen Donatto said, “This is actually a delightful experience to have someone from the public come out and make us aware that you are truly interested.”
The board faces decisions such as pay range, qualifications and hiring procedures for the next superintendent at Tuesday’s meeting.