The Natchitoches Parish School Board sent out a letter notifying the Natchitoches Parish Journal of a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. or immediately following the regularly scheduled Committee Meeting to consider an extension of Superintendent Dale Skinner’s contract. Even with such short notice the meeting room was packed. All school board members were present with the exception of Altorio Holden.

When the item came up on the agenda Steven Harris spoke. “I’m kind of confused about the matter because there was a special called meeting to vote on this today when we would usually vote on this Thursday,” said Harris. “For the sake of the people I would like to know what is going on.”

Skinner replied that it was his understanding that Holden was going to be present tonight and not Thursday. He also said that another board member Carroll Daniels was not going to be able to be present Thursday because of a basketball game. Skinner stated that he thought everyone should be present for the vote and that is the reason for the special called meeting.

Board Member Emile Metoyer asked “So when someone can’t make a meeting were going to have a special called meeting? I thought they were reserved for emergencies.”

Metoyer then asked President Ralph Wilson if he asked for the Special Call Meeting. Wilson responded that he did not. Metoyer then cited that the bylaws state that a special call meeting could only be requested by the president. Since he did not ask for it then any vote held on this item would be void because this was technically an illegal meeting.

Skinner then moved for the item to be voted on Thursday and struck from Tuesdays agenda.