Vernon Parish School Superintendent James Williams is not an easy man to surprise. In fact, he’s not a big fan of them. During the Board meeting on Tuesday, February 6, Williams was certainly caught off-guard. Following the presentation of the Employee of the Month Award, Curriculum Supervisor Lisa Lohman jumped to the podium with the news that Williams had been named Region 6 Superintendent of the Year by the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. Lohman prefaced her remarks about Williams by hoping she still had a job with the School Board after springing the surprise!

Scott Walker with Taylor & Sons Insurance presented the award on behalf of LASS. His firm helps with those awards around the state. Walker remarked he has worked with over one hundred superintendents and that Williams was one to remember. It was always good to work with him said Walker. Williams is now moving on to the next round of judging in hopes of being named Superintendent of the Year for Louisiana.

Williams has over 42 years of educational leadership and service. He has been the Vernon Superintendent since 2014. He was previously Director of Transportation and Principal at Leesville High School. Williams began his teaching career in 1982. With Williams at the helm, Vernon Parish has been rated an Academic A District since 2014 and currently boasts two National Blue-Ribbon schools in Rosepine High and Anacoco High.