Evangeline Parish hires new school superintendent

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The Evangeline Parish School District will be welcoming Darwan Lazard as their new superintendent in January after the school board unanimously voted to hire the Ville Platte native to fill the position on Monday.
Lazard, who is currently the school district’s assistant superintendent, wasn’t the only individual hoping to become the main man on campus in Evangeline Parish, though.
Steve Benton from Jackson County, Florida, and Sandra Reed from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi made their way to Ville Platte Monday night with the hopes of being named the Superintendent of Schools in Evangeline Parish.
For the interview process, one by one each applicant was ushered into the board meeting room where they shared their background and experiences with the board and a crowded room of people from the community, including principals, teachers, parents, pastors, and public officials. While one applicant was interviewed, the other two remained sequestered so that nothing from the interviews could be heard by the other applicants.
Benton, who was previously the Superintendent of Schools in Jackson County, Fl., enlightened the board on his extensive work in education all the way from the ground up.
While studying education during undergrad, the Florida State University graduate worked as a bus driver in the public school system.
After graduating, Benton spent time in the classroom as an elementary educator and spent time outside of the classroom as an assistant principal, principal at the elementary, junior high and high school levels, a coach, and a superintendent.
Reed also had an impressive background in education including a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Ed. Leadership.
Her experience in education comes from the time she has spent as a high school teacher, an assistant principal at the largest high school in the nation, a high school principal, and as the Chief Learning Officer for Scena, which provides contract educational leadership services.
While their backgrounds were impressive, the two outsiders were unable to seal the seven votes needed to become the next superintendent of schools in Evangeline Parish.
Lazard, who referred to himself as “homegrown” during his interview, received all 13 board members’ votes at the December 5th special meeting.
During the interview, EPSB board member Georgiana Wilson asked what Lazard knew about Evangeline Parish and why he felt that he was the best choice for the position. When the man who has spent all of his career working in Evangeline Parish answered, he reminded the board of the knowledge he has when it comes to the place he calls home.
Lazard said, “I feel that I am your best choice for superintendent because I believe that you know that I am competent and I am fair. I am one of you. I am not somebody coming in looking for something better than what they are trying to get away from. I’ve been here all of this time, and it is my intent to end my career here in Evangeline Parish.
“But, to answer your other question I’ll just say, I know the difference between Pine Prairie, Upper Pine, and Lone Pine. I know the differnce between Lake Cove, Belaire Cove, and Tate Cove. I even know the difference between Miller’s Lake and Cazan Lake. I am one of you. I am the best choice that you have, and I believe that if you give me this opportunity you won’t be disappointed, because I know the people.
“I know what my elders mean when they say comment ça va, and they know how to respond when I say ça va bien, et toi? I can hit the ground running because I am one of you, and I am here to stay.”
Lazard, who has spent time as an educator, assistant principal, principal and parish administrator, will assume his new role as superintendent in January. He will be replacing Toni Hamlin, who announced that she would be retiring in August after 10 years in the position that Lazard can now call his own for at least as long as his contract last, which is two and a half years.
As the new leader for the public schools in the parish, Lazard shared that he intends to work to keep school scores up as well as create an open door policy so that he can hear the concerns and needs of all district employees.
Before the meeting ended, Lazard said, “I want to thank the board for selecting me to be your superintendent. With us working together, I believe you will help me be the great superintendent that I believe I can be for Evangeline Parish.”