VIDALIA &045; Tuesday night, the Concordia Parish School Board set two special meetings, Oct. 20 and 21, to interview the seven candidates to fill the superintendent position.

After about an hour in executive session with a parent who requested to speak to the board about a concern, the board stayed in executive session to set the meetings.

Board President Ernest Lynn White said the board would probably reconvene at another time after the special meetings to try to hire a superintendent.

At last month’s meeting, James Cockerham approached the board to ask for a raise in mileage payment for bus drivers.

The board voted Tuesday to appoint a committee, including one or two members from the bus driver’s association, to discuss the request.

The first phase will be to gather information to see if anything should be done and for the committee to take that information and decide what action should be taken.

Interim superintendent Fred Butcher said the board should allow 40 to 60 days for the gathering of information and report back in December or January &uot;because I think there is a lot of information that needs to be collected.&uot;

In other business, the board:

4 Voted to advertise for a maintenance specialist position, included in that job description is that the person should have electrical and refrigeration knowledge.

4 Approved new policies on first reading that were revised to comply with new laws.

4 Approved the Pupil Progression Plan, a plan that has regulations, policies and procedures for the district to operate on the local level.

4 Approved a procedure for removal of students from school campuses by law enforcement personnel since there is no such procedure stated in the short policy on the matter.

4 Voted to accept Gov. Mike Foster’s proclamation that Oct. 19-25 be bus safety week in Louisiana to recognize the &uot;commendable efforts&uot; of those that provide school transportation.

&uot;A lot of people don’t know but our school buses in Concordia Parish travel 2,000 miles per day,&uot; said H.L. Irvin Jr., supervisor of support services and transportation director.

And, Butcher announced due to the early dismissal earlier this month of district offices and schools to allow district personnel and students to pay their respects to former superintendent Lester &uot;Pete&uot; Peterman, the district will add one hour to the early dismissal for the Thanksgiving holiday and 30 minutes to the dismissal for Christmas vacation.