ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / June 24, 2000

RESERVE – St. John the Baptist School Board President Richard DeLong saidgoodbye Thursday after nine-and-a-half years of service to the St. JohnParish public school system.

At the same time DeLong bid farewell he nominated retired educator LaRue Speights to take his place as representative of District 8 on the school board.

“Ms. Speights is a career educator and dedicated to children,” DeLong saidin his nomination.

The board unanimously accepted DeLong’s nomination, and as soon as the Louisiana Secretary of State sends Speights her commission, board attorney John Desselliss will swear her in.

Speights accepted the nomination and told the board, “I want to thank Richard DeLong for all he has done for our district. I will do my very best,but there is no way I can fill his shoes.”Speights will be the District 8 representative until an election is held on Oct. 7. Speights cannot run for the seat on the board.DeLong, whose retirement doesn’t officially take effect until July 1, announced he was stepping down last week. Citing health problems and thedesire to spend more time with his family, DeLong said he felt it was time to step down. He plans to move back to his home state of Illinois and openup a clock repair shop.

School Superintendent Chris Donaldson presented DeLong with a plaque that had DeLong’s gavel attached to it.

“This is to show our appreciation for your dedication to the St. John ParishSchool Board,” said Donaldson in his presentation.

In accepting the plaque, DeLong pointed out that the gavel had no nicks in it because he didn’t really have to use it that much.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with a really good board,” said DeLong.

“We’ve done well.”DeLong was first elected in 1990 and re-elected in 1994 and 1998. He hasserved as president for the past five years.

“We’ve brought ourselves from being the laughing stock of the parish to a real business-like board,” said DeLong. “This is a really fine schoolsystem, and it has been a pleasure to work with you all.”DeLong’s influence on other board members was demonstrated by their comments.

“I’m hurting because I’m losing a friend on the board,” said Leroy Mitchell.

“I’m going to miss you a lot.”Felix LeBoeuf said DeLong was a real unifying factor for the board.

“We proved that LaPlace could get along with Garyville, and Garyville could get along with Edgard,” said LeBoeuf. “What happened here is that Ifound a friend. We agreed to disagree. He is a man with a big heart.”Howie Gendron summed it up when he told DeLong, “You’ve done a terrific job, and you will be very hard to replace.””This is all kind of emotional,” said an obviously moved DeLong, “It’s been a joy and a pleasure, and I thank everybody.”

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