LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) — Leadership moves are on the horizon for a Louisiana school board after its president was elected to the state House.
Livingston Parish School Board President Buddy Mincey is expected to officially resign next week to start his new role as a state representative, leaving an open seat on the board. Mincey, who beat Lori Callais in the November runoff for the District 71 legislative seat, will be sworn into his new role Jan. 13.
Mincey said he will resign at the board’s Jan. 9 meeting and the board will start the process to find an interim member to serve until the next election in November, The Advocate reported.
Schools Superintendent Joe Murphy said he does not know who may be put forward for the role, but he expects nominations for the interim board member to open right away.
The board will also shuffle its leadership positions, picking a new president to replace Mincey for 2020.
Mincey, a Republican, had served on the school board for 13 years, nine of them as president. He replaces J. Rodgers Pope in the Legislature. Pope is a former Livingston Parish Schools Superintendent who was term-limited. He was elected as state senator for District 13.
Mincey’s House district covers parts of western Livingston Parish encompassing Denham Springs and Walker.
Murphy said Mincey had long been a “very, very strong advocate” of his district and the parish as a whole, and he hoped the relationship between he and the board could continue as Mincey transitions to the Legislature.
“We’re proud to support him as he moved into a new phase of his life as a state representative in our area and we’re excited as a school system to have someone as a state rep who absolutely understands the needs of the education system,” Murphy said.
Mincey said he will spend the first part of the new year setting up his Denham Springs office and meeting with other legislators ahead of his first legislative session.
