Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune/Staff Report
The Caddo Parish School Board has selected Jeri Bowen to serve as the interim representative for District 8, filling the vacancy left by the recent resignation of Christine Tharpe.
The decision came during a special board session Tuesday, where members interviewed candidates before making the appointment. Bowen, who has lived in District 8 for more than two decades, was chosen from a pool of applicants that included Cheyenna Newman and Emma Shepard.
This marks the second time Bowen has stepped into the District 8 role. In 2020, she was appointed to complete the unexpired term of former member Denee Locke, later succeeded by Tharpe in November of that year.
A graduate of Southwood High School, Bowen has long-standing ties to Caddo Parish Schools. Both of her children are graduates of the district. Professionally, she serves as executive director of the Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center in Bossier City, where she works with families and victims to strengthen safety and community support systems.
Bowen will hold the District 8 seat on an interim basis until voters elect a permanent representative during a special election set for April 18, 2026. Candidate qualifying is scheduled for January 14–16.
The appointment ensures that District 8 continues to have representation on the board as it prepares for upcoming decisions related to student achievement, school policy, and community engagement.