Changes

In 1974, Superintendent Thompson developed a policy to prevent teachers from abusing sick leave. He had found that some educators had taken time off to engage in private farming and business interests. Thompson also faced civil suits filed by some African-American educators who claimed unfair policies in his office. Tensas was a defendant in a suit by school boards in six parishes which sought to forbid the use of public funds to finance bus transportation and books and educational materials for private schools. Despite his specialization in handling disciplinary issues, Superintendent Thompson in 1976 struggled with vandalism of school board properties and sought parental assistance to halt disruptions. The matter grew sufficiently glaring that Thompson asked Sheriff Theo "Bill" Poe (1912-1988) to issue a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects. Thompson was forced to drop the popular vocal music program at Davidson High School because of teacher-pupil funding guidelines. He grappled too with reductions in the Title I program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. In 1974, he ended the holding of baccalaureate ceremonies with a religious theme, which had long preceded high school commencements. In 1976, he managed to obtain completion of the renovation of Newellton High School, a $700,000 project.<ref>Hathorn, "Education in Tensas Parish", pp. 42-44.</ref>

In 1974, Superintendent Thompson developed a policy to prevent teachers from abusing sick leave. He had found that some educators had taken time off to engage in private farming and business interests. Thompson also faced civil suits filed by some African-American educators who claimed unfair policies in his office. Tensas was a defendant in a suit by school boards in six parishes which sought to forbid the use of public funds to finance bus transportation and books and educational materials for private schools. Despite his specialization in handling disciplinary issues, Superintendent Thompson in 1976 struggled with vandalism of school board properties and sought parental assistance to halt disruptions. The matter grew sufficiently glaring that Thompson asked Sheriff Theo "Bill" Poe (1912-1988) to issue a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects. Thompson was forced to drop the popular vocal music program at Davidson High School because of teacher-pupil funding guidelines. He grappled too with reductions in the Title I program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. In 1974, he ended the holding of baccalaureate ceremonies with a religious theme, which had long preceded high school commencements. In 1976, he managed to obtain completion of the renovation of Newellton High School, a $700,000 project.<ref>Hathorn, "Education in Tensas Parish", pp. 42-44.</ref>

In January 1977, Thompson resigned as the Tensas superintendent after nearly seven years in the position. Two weeks earlier, the school board had given him a  four-year contract renewal. Instead he became an assistant to state Superintendent Kelly Nix. Thompson said the new position, his last in education, offered "a chance for a greater impact on education" and noted too that he "could not turn down the financial benefits involved." Thompson's interim successor as superintendent, Harold Eugene Carroll (1927-1985), a native of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], was soon replaced by William Edward Vosburg, Sr. (born October 13, 1940), the principal during the early years of desegregation at Newellton High School. Vosburg was born in Natchez, [[Mississippi]], but reared in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish. His original education experience had been in Port Arthur, [[Texas]]. He left the superintendent's position in 1981 to enter business in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], the hometown of his wife, the former Sarah Elizabeth "Beth" Young.<ref<Hathorn, "Education in Tensas Parish", pp. 45-48.</ref>

In January 1977, Thompson resigned as the Tensas superintendent after nearly seven years in the position. Two weeks earlier, the school board had given him a  four-year contract renewal. Instead he became an assistant to state Superintendent Kelly Nix. Thompson said the new position, his last in education, offered "a chance for a greater impact on education" and noted too that he "could not turn down the financial benefits involved." Thompson's interim successor as superintendent, Harold Eugene Carroll (1927-1985), a native of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], was soon replaced by William Edward Vosburg, Sr. (born October 13, 1940), the principal during the early years of desegregation at Newellton High School. Vosburg was born in Natchez, [[Mississippi]], but reared in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish. His original education experience had been in Port Arthur, [[Texas]]. He left the superintendent's position in 1981 to enter business in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], the hometown of his wife, the former Sarah Elizabeth "Beth" Young.<ref>Hathorn, "Education in Tensas Parish", pp. 45-48.</ref>

===Assistant state superintendent===

===Assistant state superintendent===