Photograph: Patrick Jenkins (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Former St. Landry Parish School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins narrowly missed becoming superintendent for the Zachary School District following a vote by board members on Tuesday night.
According to a story published in the Advocate, Jenkins was one of two finalists for the Zachary position, but after convening into a half hour closed session, board members voted 5-4 to select Ben Necaise, a supervisor of work force development in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Jenkins is currently on paid administrative leave in St. Landry until his current contract with the District expires June 30. Jenkins, who was hired in 2016 as the St. Landry superintendent, announced in February that he did not plan to seek a contract extension.
Before his employment as superintendent in St. Landry, Jenkins worked as an administrator for the Zachary District.
Dwanetta Scott, supervisor of child welfare and attendance, has been approved as the interim St. Landry superintendent while the board since March, has pursued a process for choosing a new superintendent.
The Board has narrowed the superintendent search to two applicants — Milton Batiste III and Curt Green. The two St. Landry finalists are scheduled to participate in a Delta Grand public forum May 8 beginning at 6 p.m.
Batiste and Green are also expected to appear for a final set of interviews with school board members on May 10.
