VIDALIA &045; Is readvertising for the position of Concordia Parish superintendent really the best solution?

Concordia School Board member Rev. Johnnie L. Brown said he does not know what readvertising will do, but he hopes it will help.

The deadlocked school board remained in a three-way tie for superintendent Tuesday night, the same as their vote nearly five weeks ago on July 10.

Now that the position is being readvertised, school board member the Rev. Raymond T. Riley Sr. said the position must be advertised for 30 days.

Then, the board can interview candidates and hopefully make some headway in selecting the next superintendent.

Board member Donald Joseph said the whole process should take approximately 45 days.

After the 30 days to advertise, he said the board would spend 15 days receiving applications, interviewing and &uot;appointing a superintendent, hopefully.&uot;

Joseph, Brown and Riley all said they are ready to hire someone to fill the position permanently.

&uot;Our people deserve to have a permanent superintendent, not a interim superintendent,&uot; Riley said.

The board narrowed a four-candidate field to three candidates at their July 10 special meeting, splitting the nine board member votes three ways.

Board members hope readvertising will solve the deadlock.

&uot;There really was no alternative but to throw it all out and start all over,&uot; Joseph said.

Riley said the board must establish a policy or method if the voting comes to a tie again.

&uot;We were hopelessly deadlocked,&uot; Brown said.

All three said they hope readvertising can bring a conclusion and a new superintendent.

All nine members of the school board were contacted for comments, but the remaining six board members did not return calls.