District still looking to fill top job

By Vershal Hogan (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, January 10, 2008

VIDALIA — The Concordia Parish School Board will meet tonight, and on the agenda is an update on the school district’s search for its next superintendent.

The position has been available since late November, when the board bought out former superintendent Kerry Laster’s contract, which would have expired Dec. 31.

Since then, Ferriday Lower Elementary Principal Loretta Peterman Blankenstein has been serving as acting superintendent.

Three people have applied for the position: Blankenstein, Linda D’Amico, of Morganza, and Jerry Payne, of Pine Grove.

Blankenstein, who has served in schools in every community in the parish and is in her 20th year in the parish, said she decided to apply for the job because of her work experience.

“I have worked here in the parish for a long time and I am familiar with the parish and the needs in the schools,” she said. “I feel this experience will allow me to work with all of the persons involved to help improve (the district).”

The director of instruction, supervisor of federal programs, adult, careers, technical, and secondary education for the Pointe Coupee school district, D’Amico said she learned of the opening through an advertisement with the superintendent’s association.

D’Amico said her primary reason for applying for the position is because she wants to be a superintendent but will not be afforded that opportunity in her own parish.

“Concordia is not that far from my home,” she said. “If I were selected I would have to have a home there but it’s not that far (from where I live now). Concordia Parish is a beautiful area, very country and very similar to Pointe Coupee.”

Payne could not be reached for comment. Until recently, he was the superintendent of the Bogalusa City School District.