BY KYLE BARNETT

Staff Reporter

LAPLCE – “They need a superintendent that is going to be allowed to run the school system,” said outgoing St. John School Superintendent Michael Coburn. “Board members are here to make policy and not micromanage. At least give them (the new superintendent) the flexibility to do what they have to do.”

Focus groups, led by consultants for superintendent search firm McPherson and Jacobson, echoed Coburn’s feeling last month when the community was allowed to give their input on what qualities St. John’s new superintendent should possess.

The St. John public school system began a search for a new superintenent several months ago when the board elected to not renew Coburn’s contract.

“What was said was pretty consistent throughout all the groups,” said Loe Dunn, lead consultant for superintendent search group McPherson and Jacobson. “The findings from the community will be the most important of the findings.”

The most pressing concern brought to the attention of the consulting firm was the relationship between the St. John School Board and superintendent.

“The school board and superintendent have to work together as a team,” said consultant and Laforurche Parish Board Member Stella Lasseinge. “Here there is no team.

“As school board members, we need to realize what our role is. If everyone would stay in their role it would be a lot better. Sometimes we just need to let the superintendent do their job.”

In addition to finding the correct candidate for the job, McPherson and Jacobson also plan to ease the strain between the

superintendent and the school board.

“Phase five will help offset some of those concerns that were mentioned in the community meeting,” said Dunn. “That phase is enhancing board member and superintendent relationships.”

After the candidate has been selected Dr. Jacobson, professor in education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and owner of McPherson and Jacobson, will make the trip from Omaha. In a presentation to the board he will clearly define roles and responsibilities of school board members and those of the superintendent.

For now, however, they are waiting for someone to apply for the job.

As of Nov. 13 no applications have been received. McPherson and Jacobson are advertising the position in area newspapers including L’Observateur, and in all adjoining state’s school boards, as well as through trade organization American Association of School Administrators.

Dunn says she expects a good number of applications. “It is a national search. St. John is a good paying school system. There are a lot of attributes. There is a strong possibility an individual will relocate to St. John, but there are also candidates that will be applying internally,” Dunn said. “One would want to live in St. John, there lies a lot of hope here. You can see they are a visionary community.”

The deadline for applications is December 15. “I think we’ll get a lot of applications after Thanksgiving break,” said Dunn. “At this time it is still early in the time period.”

McPherson and Jacobson will meet with the focus groups again December 13 to discuss their findings from the focus group sessions and in preparation for interviews of prospective candidates.

Members from the community are invited to attend the next meeting December 13 at 6 p.m. in the St. John School Board Media Center at 110 W. 10th Street in Reserve.