St. John School Superintendent Resigns

EDGARD, La. (AP) — St. John the Baptist Parish schools Superintendent Courtney Millet will be leaving her post next week.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/MZSSeI ) Millet announced on Thursday that her last day with the district will be July 12. Millet said she will be accepting a position as director of instruction and institutional advancement at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace.

Millet said the new position will allow her to focus on what she likes doing most, which is working directly with teachers and students.

"Now that my original contract and one-year extension have come to an end and the Education and Facilities Plan designed in 2008 is just about complete, I needed to step back and reassess my future," she said. "As superintendent, most of my time was consumed managing the district, dealing with budget issues, union grievances and negotiations, and the school board. It is now time for me to transition to something new."

Board President Patrick Sanders has called a special meeting for 11 a.m. on Monday to appoint an interim superintendent. Sanders said the board is considering elevating Assistant Superintendent Herbert Smith to the temporary post.

Smith, a veteran educator, has been with the district for more than 40 years, including 12 as assistant superintendent.

"We'll start with appointing the interim person and then work on the details, such as how long the interim position will last for us to do a search process for a replacement for Dr. Millet," he said.

Sanders said Millet tendered her retirement to him Thursday morning. He called her departure bittersweet.

"We have seen tremendous academic growth during her tenure," he said.

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Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com