By Christian Coffman

NATCHEZ — The Concordia Parish School Board voted in a special meeting Monday to set new qualifications for superintendent.

The special meeting was called because the board’s attorney Bob Hammonds informed the board their previous advertisements for the position may have been confusing and may have included qualifications from the school board and state that were conflicting.

“Our recommendation was that you simply advertise for someone who is qualified in the state of Louisiana to be a superintendent, or is immediately eligible by producing a letter from the department of education,” Hammonds said.

Hammonds said if applicants do not have the letter, then they will not be considered for superintendent.

Raymond T. Riley moved to suspend the school board’s policy of qualifications, then moved to adopt the Louisiana state policy. The motions were passed unanimously.

The board moved to re-advertise for the new superintendent in local and regional newspapers. The motion passed unanimously.

The board motioned for Franklin Parish School District human resources leader Tangela Blackstone to review the applicants to make sure they qualify and are certified. The motion carried.

No applications will be accepted by the board after 4 p.m. on May 15.

A regular board meeting is scheduled for the May 18 to discuss all of the applications the board received and to set dates of the interview or interviews.

The interview process for the applying superintendents is scheduled for May 22. Depending on how many people apply, the interview process may go on for longer than one day.