Who has applied to be superintendent of the Ouachita Parish School System?
Three people have applied to be the next superintendent of the Ouachita Parish School System, including current Assistant Superintendent Todd Guice.
The Ouachita Parish School Board began taking applications in December to fill Superintendent Don Coker's position following his retirement on July 4. Coker announced his retirement in November 2022 and plans to vacate the position after hiring and training a replacement.
The interviews for candidates for the Superintendent position will be conducted during a special meeting noon Monday, Feb. 13 at the Ouachita Parish School Office.
Here are three candidates for the superintendent position.
Todd Guice
Guice has over eight years of teaching experience and 22 years of administrative experience in education. He is the assistant superintendent and personnel director for the Ouachita Parish School System.
Guice said his experience in the Ouachita Parish School System has prepared to lead the district. Guice said he fully understands the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead as the school system navigates into the future in an ever-changing educational environment.
He has worked for the school system since 1989. Guice started his career as a student coach at Ouachita Junior High School in 1989 and has served as principal of Ouachita Junior High and Ouachita Parish High Schools. He worked as a teacher at OPJHS from 1992-95 and OPHS from 1995-97.
He has a bachelor's degree in education, a master's degree in educational leadership and supervision and a master's plus 30 from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Dr. Curt Green
Green has over three years of teaching experience and 23 years of administrative experience in education. He is currently the director of human resources for St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.
With an extensive background in instructional leadership, Green said he is confident that his skills and experiences when linked with the mission, vision and educational goals of the Ouachita Parish School Board, will promote a culture of excellence, and promote student achievement.
He has past experience in Louisiana education as principal of East Feliciana High School from 2014-17 and was the founding principal of the Capitol Pre-College Academy for Boys in 2004-07. Other experience includes eight years as a teacher and assistant principal in Alaska, two years as a principal in Missouri and five years in school administration in Atlanta.
He has a bachelor's degree in general studies from Louisiana State University; a Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education from the University of Alaska-Anchorage; and a Doctorate of Education from St. John's University in New York, according to his application.
Ernest "Buddy" Reed
Reed has over seven years of teaching experience and 32 years of administrative experience in education. He currently resides in College Station, TX.
Reed said his energy, leadership and positive approach will continue to bring success to each school within the Ouachita Parish School System. He said opportunities as a teacher and administrator in public schools in Louisiana and Texas have given him the keen insight to support and meet the needs of staff and students.
He retired from the College Station Independent School District in June, where he served as their first director of student activities. Reed joined the school district in 2008 as principal of A&M Consolidated High School. He was later appointed to oversee extracurricular activities at the district's high schools and middle schools in 2012.
Reed has also served as superintendent of Lafourche Parish Public Schools from 2003-07. Prior to that, he worked for the Ouachita Parish School System from 1980 to 2003, where he worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at West Monroe High School.
He has a bachelor's in health and physical education and a Master's of Education in administration and supervision from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Meet the candidates for the Ouachita Parish Superintendent position
