A motion to begin the process of replacing the soon-to-be-vacated superintendent of the Beauregard Parish Board of Education was defeated Tuesday afternoon after a 4-4 split vote by board members.

Directors David Vidrin, Kathy Henry, Wesley Taylor and Casey Jones voted in favor of the motion to start advertising the vacancy on October 3, while directors Martha Jackson, Nicky Weldon, Ray Bowman, Garrett Green voted against.

Board members Darin Manuel and Kathy Bruner were absent from the meeting.

After lengthy debate, this November school board election led to a split vote that included comments from candidates who opposed electing a superintendent who the current board would be expected to work with the new board. I was.

Five of the panel’s ten seats are vacant by current Board members who are not seeking re-election.

District 3E candidate David Shirley told the board that he believed it would be “ridiculous” to fill the position under those circumstances, and that whoever the current board chose would He hinted that he could be fired soon.

“We strongly recommend that you do not go ahead and try to fill the position before the new board comes in so that the new board has a chance to find someone who fits their vision. If you hire someone who isn’t the right fit, there will be immediate conflict from day one,” Shirley said.

District 3D Candidate Bryan Redler endorsed Shirley’s remarks.

“We want the new board to basically have a say in who is responsible and who will direct the future of the board,” said Redler.

Based on the timeline for advertising the position, board members would likely have filled the position in December had the motion passed.

Tuesday’s special meeting was called following an unexpected announcement from Superintendent Timothy Cooley during the September 8 session of the Board. When Vidrine asked for a motion to adjourn, Cooley requested time to address board members and announced that he would retire at the end of the year.

Cooley’s contract expired on December 31, and he said he would stay until January 16 to help transition the new superintendent.