LPJ Staff Report
The Lincoln Parish School Board’s current leadership structure will remain unchanged despite the passage of ACT No. 169 (House Bill No. 661), the new Louisiana law addressing the hiring and promotion of relatives of school board members and superintendents, according to Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett.
Durrett said the district has consulted with attorneys regarding the legislation and believes the law is not retroactive, meaning current employees serving in leadership positions are not affected.
“After consulting with our attorneys, everybody we have under contract now is certainly approved to stay in those positions going forward,” Durrett said.
Durrett said the law applies broadly to leadership positions within school systems, including principals, central office supervisors and superintendents, as well as relationships involving both superintendents and school board members but that longterm clarity will be needed.
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions pertaining to this law amongst attorneys and even amongst legislators,” Durrett said.
Durrett said the district’s interpretation is that employees currently serving in leadership roles may continue in those positions under existing contracts.
The issue has drawn attention locally because of questions regarding Cypress Springs Elementary Principal Tiffany Curry Young, who is married to incoming Lincoln Parish Superintendent John Young. Durrett declined to discuss Principal Young specifically, citing personnel privacy concerns, but reiterated that the district believes current contracts and appointments are not impacted by the legislation.
Young was named principal of Cypress Springs Elementary in March of this past year after a very successful tenure at Dubach School. During her tenure as both interim and formal principal, the Dubach School earned a B School Performance Score in 2023. She had her interim tagged officially removed in the December 2023 Lincoln Parish School Board session.
Durrett also noted the law could affect situations involving relatives of school board members seeking leadership positions within a district.
The legislation’s longterm implications remain unclear statewide, particularly regarding future contract renewals or promotions involving relatives of board members or superintendents.
