With guidance from board attorney Jon Guice of Caldwell, the School Board Monday night embarked on its quest for a superintendent to replace Al Simmons who announced his retirement effective December 31 of this year.

Guice who works with other school districts on such transitions congratulated Simmons for his service.

The primary question he put to the board was when they’d want to hire the new superintendent.  That could be pushed to the closing hours of Simmons’ term.  But his recommendation would allow some overlapping time so that Simmons would have time to show the new individual around.

“ASAP,” suggested Joe Llaine Long.

There are naturally state guidelines, Guice noted.  Notice must be run (showing how and where to apply) in the official journal (Winn Parish Enterprise), then a week later in the nearest metro newspaper (Alexandria, likely), followed another week later back in the Enterprise.  No hiring action could be made until 30 days following that third advertisement.

Based on that, the board agreed to run ads June 18, June 25 and July 2, setting a deadline date for July 25 for any hopefuls to have their applications in a designated Pose Office box here.  Members set a special meeting for July 28.  Guice suggested allowing another school system to screen the applications so that the local board could consider only qualified candidates.

The board also heard suggestions on screening, the questions and interview process, fairness and confidentiality, public involvement and spreading the word through various resources and more.