Three candidates applied for the Evangeline Parish Superintendent of Schools position to replace retiring Superintendent Toni Hamlin effective January 1.  After the questioning of the three candidates, all 13 members of the Evangeline Parish School Board unanimously voted to hire Assistant Superintendent Darwin Lazard as its new school superintendent.

       Lazard has served 9 years as Assistant Superintendent and a total of 24 years in education, all of it in Evangeline Parish schools. In fact it was a double celebration for he and his wife: who are celebrating their wedding anniversary.

      In the questioning phase, Lazard told board members he plans to promote high morale among teachers and to recognize employees for their accomplishments. He plans to maintain an open door policy and improve student learning. Unlike the other applicants, Lazard told the members of the board “I know Evangeline Parish. I know the difference between Lake Cove and Belaire Cove. I am one of you. I plan to be fair, make the tough decisions when need be and pull the people together. I will make you proud.”

     The other applicants included: Steve Benton, former superintendent of schools in Jackson County, Florida with 33 years of educational experience and Dr. Sandra Reed, a Mississippi educator who was principal at three different high schools.

      Assisting the school board during the selection process at the meeting was special educational attorney Bob Hammonds of Baton Rouge.