By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will commence the final stages of its search for a new superintendent next week.
The school board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, June 18, at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria to interview the top five contenders selected by Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, the firm that was hired in April to aid in the search for a superintendent to replace Courtney Mill et. Firm representatives  Louise Coleman and Ben Martindale announced the names of the applicants during the school board’s June 3 meeting.
Kevin R. George, a resident of Thibodaux, was one of the top five. George earned his Mas ter of Education at Nicholls State Univer sity. George is currently working for the Louisiana Department of Education as a district support deputy network leader.
Paula L. Johnson, a resident of Vicksburg, Miss., was also listed as one of the top five. Johnson earned her master’s degree at Chey ney University and currently works for Vicksburg Warren School District as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
Dr. Maria Pitre-Mar tin is a resident of Holly Springs, N.C., where she works with the North Carolina De  partment of Public In  struction as state director of K-12 curriculum and instruction/regional lead supervisor.
Pitre-Martin earned her PhD at Texas A&M Uni versity.
Corwin K. Robinson, another candidate, is currently employed with Lake County Schools as a superintendent. Robinson is a resident of Clarkville, Tenn., and earned the first three chapters of his doctorate degree at the University of New Orleans.
The final candidate, Debra H. Schum, retired from the Loui siana Department of Education in 2012 after working there for slightly more than three years. Schum is a resident of LaPlace and completed her Mas ter of Edu cation at Southeastern Louisiana University. She is currently self employed as an education consultant.
Although the meeting itself is open to the public, the interviews will take place in executive session behind closed doors.