LIVINGSTON — The Livingston Parish School Board voted 7-2 for Jody Purvis to serve as their next superintendent of schools.
Purvis, who is currently the assistant superintendent of schools, will replace Joe Murphy who is retiring in June. Purvis beat out two others for the superintendent position: his co-assistant superintendent of schools, Bruce Chaffin, and Troy Bell, who is the director of federal programs at Franklin Parish Schools.
Purvis will start April 22 with Murphy using leave through the end of his contract on June 30.
READ MORE: Three apply to lead Livingston Parish Schools
“My willingness to build strong relationships and proven ability to work as a team will help establish a clear vision,” Purvis said. “My passion to grow and expand educational opportunities for the students of Livingston Parish has been the driving force in my career. With each new position, I have worked to prepare myself for the position of Superintendent of Livingston Parish Public Schools.”
Purvis has been with LPPS since 1998, beginning as a teacher at Springfield High and Denham Springs Freshman High before advancing to roles such as assistant principal at Southside Junior High and Springfield Middle.
He later served as principal at Springfield High and French Settlement Elementary before being appointed as the supervisor of high school instruction for the district in 2012. Currently, Purvis is involved in the administration and coordination of educational programs, as well as overseeing board meetings and daily logistics.
He is a graduate of LSU and holds a Master of Education from Southern University.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, UWK obtained the applications for the three candidates vying for the district’s top position. In Purvis’s application, he laid out successes during his tenure with the district.
- Successfully implemented a pre-kindergarten program at French Settlement Elementary
- Increased school performance score at Springfield High from 86.6 to 126.1 within four years as principal
- As supervisor of high school instruction: created one of the largest Jump Start programs in the state; increased graduation cohort rates; implemented district’s largest rollout of student devices
- As assistant superintendent: opened Livingston Virtual, which has increased educational opportunities for students in online educational programs; created the district’s Strong Start plan for returning to and operating schools in accordance with federal and state mandates throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; proposed implementation of an online student enrollment platform
“My professional experience has enabled me to develop strategies to improve efficiency, while empowering teams of educators to overcome challenges,” Purvis told the selection committee. “Early in my career, I recognized that while I loved the classroom, I had the ability to touch the lives of more students by working at the district or state level. My enthusiasm and motivation to act will forge a strong, united team of educators and community partners motivated to further excel the educational opportunities for our students.”
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