Do you want to be a Caddo Parish School Board member? A seat is vacant

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times
·2 min read

The Caddo Parish School Board hosted a special session Wednesday, July 12, to discuss the vacant seat for District 7.

A Caddo Parish District Judge declared the District 7 seat vacant on June 29, following false residency of a school board member.

On June 2, Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart filed a suit against Barbara Smith-Iverson for having permanent residency in Bossier Parish. The suit claimed Iverson lived in Lone Oak Oasis apartments on Benton Road in Bossier City. Her qualifying form stated 4119 Greenwood Rd., Shreveport.

"Judge Callaghan determined that state law required the elected official to maintain her domicile in the district she represents, but that facts, evidence and her own statements in that regard showed she maintained her domicile in Bossier City," according to the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office.

More: Judge vacates Caddo Parish School Board member's seat after lawsuit

What happened in this special session meeting?

On July 12, the Caddo Parish School Board declared the seat vacant with a non-unanimous vote of nine school board members.

Now that the seat is vacant, the school board can call for a special election to fill the vacancy, which according to the school board is provided in the proclamation.

The Caddo Parish School Board on January 10, 2023.
The Caddo Parish School Board on January 10, 2023.

How will the school board fill this vacancy?

This is the procedure to fill a vacancy, according to the school board: Candidates must provide the school board president with their date of birth, address and how long they've lived in District 7 with a short statement regarding why they desire to serve as interim board member for District 7.

This application must be hand-delivered to the Superintendent's office.

The applicants will then participate in interviews July 20, during a special school board meeting. At this meeting candidates, will present opening statements addressing why they want to serve, their skills and perspectives on the role.

The Caddo Parish School Board will accept applications until 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at the Superintendent's office, 1961 Midway Ave.

Read: Caddo Parish board member's home not boarded up in June, despite lawsuit allegations

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo Parish School Board to fill vacant District 7 seat