Louise Smith is new BCS superintendent

Louise Smith

Louise Smith, a veteran educator who has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, grant writer and most recently has been staff support specialist for the Poplarville (Miss.) School District, is the new superintendent of the Bogalusa City Schools.

Trustees met in executive session for 33 minutes before returning to the district media center to announce their decision. The vote was 5-2, with Raymond Mims and Paul Kates voting nay. The position, with base and incentives, will pay in the lox six-figures, although Kates said after adjourning the meeting that no pay rate was discussed.

Kates said he voted against Smith because he thought the other candidate, Lionel Jackson of Tangipahoa Parish, would have an easier transition period and because he was familiar with Louisiana laws and regulations.

Smith fills a vacancy created when Ruth Horne resigned in mid-March. Smith was a finalist when Horne was hired three years ago to replace Jerry Payne, whose contract was not renewed.

Smith said it had been her career dream and goal to become a superintendent. She said she felt she could relate with Bogalusa because she has spent a great deal of time in the community and the demographics between the two communities are similar.

Smith and Jackson were two of 15 applicants for the position. Jackson and Smith were initially announced as finalists with Dr. Daniel Slack, superintendent of the East Carter R-II District in Elsinore, Mo. Slack was eliminated from consideration after a series of interviews on June 20-22 and the board decided on Monday to re-interview Smith and Jackson and postpone the decision until today.