Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

RESERVE — Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Johnson will oversee the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District until an interim superintendent is selected.

Dr. Lynett Hookfin resigned from the superintendent position during a special School Board meeting held Tuesday night in Reserve. Since the negotiation involved discussion relative to character and professional competence, Hookfin requested that it be discussed in executive session.

An interim superintendent will be named at this month’s regular meeting, School Board President Nia Mitchell-Williams announced.

“The district has an experienced and well-capable assistant superintendent who will run the district until an interim superintendent is selected at our monthly meeting on May 12, 2022,” Mitchell-Williams said.

Johnson was promoted to assistant superintendent in March 2022. She has most recently served as a school support specialist for the Louisiana Department of Education. Johnson has also worked as an ESSA executive coordinator, served as a principal and assistant principal in Lafourche Parish schools for 10+ years, and worked as an elementary and middle school teacher.

Mitchell-Williams said the School Board will meet in small groups over the next few weeks to conduct a needs assessment and to determine what professional qualities are required in a superintendent to move the district forward.

“We understand fully that there are several factors that must be considered when selecting a leader for our district,” she said.

The School Board wishes Dr. Hookfin well in her future endeavors.

Hookfin released the following statement regarding her resignation: “I would like the thank the St. John the Baptist Parish community, especially staff and scholars. I am extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished, but it was time to move on. I’m grateful to have amicably resolved all issues, wishing the school system well, and looking forward to future endeavors.”

Hookfin was hired in June 2020 after finalists for the superintendent position were chosen and screened in a national search. She is a New Orleans native who previously served as a deputy superintendent of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

The School Board’s most recent superintendent search lasted from June 2019 to June 2020 following the departure of Kevin George. Heidi Trosclair and Cory Butler each served several months as interim superintendent during this time.

More information on the School District’s superintendent search will be released as it becomes available.