The superintendent of the Bienville Parish School Board and his attorney have scheduled a news conference today at 2pm to discuss accusations that could lead to his termination.

The conference comes a week before the BPSB is tentatively set to hold a hearing on the unspecified allegations arising from an investigation of Superintendent Byron Lyons. He’s been on paid leave since March; he was appointed superintendent in January 2024. 

Lyon’s lawyer, Brian Blackwell, notified media via email of the news conference at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ruston. Blackwell says the conference is meant to address the charges levied against Lyons by the BPSB.

Meanwhile, BPSB, at its meeting on June 5, set tentative hearing dates of June 16-17 and possibly June 18 to address and examine the charges against Lyons. BPSB selected Ouachita Parish Assistant District Attorney Jay Mitchell to conduct the hearing.

The charges were adopted by the Board at its May 29 meeting held behind closed doors. The details of the charges have yet to be publicly disclosed. 

The “charges” are not criminal, despite the language. Rather, the charges serve as a formal finding of accusations by the board and represent the first step in a process to remove a superintendent.

Louisiana law allows a school board to fire a superintendent for cause prior to the expiration of the contract. Reasons for removal are also spelled out in the law. These reasons include such circumstances as the superintendent being found incompetent, unworthy, or otherwise ineffective. Other circumstances include the superintendent being found to have failed to fulfill the terms and performance objectives of their contract or comply with school board policy.

However, in order to initiate the process, the superintendent has a right to receive written charges. The superintendent also has a right to a hearing before the school board. Lyons will have the choice of an open or closed hearing before the board next week.

Blackwell has commented in previous media interviews that seven (7) charges have been levied against Lyons.