By Stacey Tinsley, newsroom@bossierpress.com
Haughton’s High School principal of 22 years, Gene Couvillion, has decided to help his parish even more by running for the Bossier Parish School Board.
With over 42 years experience as a coach, teacher, and principal in Bossier schools, Gene Couvillion has qualified for the District 4 seat on the Bossier School Board.
Couvillion is in the rare situation of being a high school principal and running for the school board. While there is nothing preventing this scenario, there are no other current board members or qualifiers who can hold this designation.
“I chose to run because I think I can help the areas I serve, but I also think I can help all of Bossier Parish. I will represent all schools in the district and in essence in the parish,” said Couvillion.
Known for being the biggest school district in the area by mileage, District 4 encompasses all of Plain Dealing, the east side of Cypress Lake in Benton, and parts of northern Haughton.
When asked about his platform, Couvillion said, “ My platform is I have always tried to get the best for all of the clientele that I have served. If you live in Plain Dealing, Haughton or Bossier, you should have the same opportunities every other student has in the parish.”
If elected, Couvillion said he would like to work with his fellow school board members and adjust funds for teachers, technology and the students.
“Looking at what we need in the parish, we are going to have to adjust sometime down the road in some kind of way regarding funding for teachers pay, so we can retain the teachers that we have and attract new ones,” he said. “We’re going to have to come up with a sum of money to fund technology, which is ever increasing, as it always comes with a price tag. That’s money as a board and system we look to increase.”
