Photograph: St. Landry Parish School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins discusses District finances on Monday night. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins indicated on Monday night that he is currently involved in ongoing discussions with School Board members regarding an extension of his current contract which is scheduled to end June 30.
During an interview following a series of committee meetings, Jenkins said that he and the Board should be able to arrive at a decision about his employment with the District sometime before April 30.
According to wording contained in Jenkins’ current contract, board members need to notify Jenkins about whether they intend to renew or void his contract at least 90 days before the contract is scheduled to expire.
Jenkins said at this point that he prefers not to comment about contract negotiations that have been occurring between him and board members.
“All I can say is we are having discussions at this time (with board members) and no decisions have been made,” Jenkins said.
When asked whether he wanted to remain as superintendent in St. Landry, Jenkins said he expected that it would be a Board decision as well as his own.
Jenkins has received several contract extensions since he became the District superintendent in 2016.
In December the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents announced that Jenkins had been selected as the Louisiana Superintendent of the Year for 2022.
The award which was presented during a regular board meeting, said that Jenkins was recognized for instituting a District turnaround financially after the school system had plunged into financial exigency in 2011 as well as leadership involving technology and opportunities offered to students.
At the same meeting board members revealed that annual evaluation score which indicated that Jenkins had received an overall score of 25, one point below proficiency.
