During a special board meeting on Tuesday, the Calcasieu Parish School Board selected five finalists out of a pool of eight candidates to fill the role of superintendent.

The finalists are Frank Max Caldarera II, Owen Clanton, Stanton Lawrence, Tony McCardle, and Jason VanMetre. Four of the candidates currently work for CPSB.

Caldarera is the CPSB director. He holds a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance and a Master of Education in educational leadership from McNeese State University. After teaching and coaching at Westlake High School for a decade, he served S.P. Arnett Middle School as assistant principal from 2011 to 2013 and principal from 2013 to 2021.

Clanton has been the CPSB administrative director of middle schools since 2019. He started his career as a teacher at E.K. Key Elementary. In 2011, he took on the role of assistant principal at J.I. Watson before becoming the principal at F.K. White Middle School. He holds a bachelor’s in health and human performance and a Master of Education in educational leadership from McNeese.

Lawrence — who was a finalist for CPSB superintendent in 2022 — has been the assistant superintendent of administration for the Victoria Independent School District. He previously served as the director/principal and assistant superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, the executive director of BAC Consulting of Texas and the superintendent of schools for the Normandy School District.

He holds multiple degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English from Prairie View A&M University, and a Master of Education in educational administration and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas.

McCardle has been the CPSB director of career and technical education since 2015. In addition to seven years of teaching experience, he was the principal of Frasch Elementary from 2007 to 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, a Master of Education in educational technology and a Master of Education in administration and supervision from McNeese.

Vanmetre is the CPSB chief academic officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology education and a Master of Education in educational administration from McNeese, and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

He taught at Barbe High School for a total of 12 years. His previous administrative experience includes assistant principal at Sulphur High School, principal at Westlake High School and CPSB director of management information systems.

The final superintendent interviews are on Monday, July 8, and Tuesday, July 9. Three interviews will happen on July 8, and two on July 9. Interviews will be conducted in alphabetical order. Each candidate will be interviewed publicly for 55 minutes, and in executive session for up to 30 minutes.

The new superintendent will be chosen on July 9, and contract negotiations will be determined during a special meeting on Thursday, July 11.