By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LULING – St. Charles Parish Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney R. Lafon announced his retirement last week and said there are no hard feelings involved.

Lafon said that he decided to resign after visiting a retirement specialist, who told him he was “working for free,” based on his total of 40 years of combined tenure and accumulated sick leave with the school system. Lafon will step down from his position after 18 years.

“The business of retiring is very strange to me because I’ve never done anything but work all my life. I am going to be 63 on May 13. I’ve been in this district 38 years. When you meet with the retirement people and they basically tell you you’re working for free, it makes you take a step back and think,” he said, chuckling.

Despite the circumstances, Lafon said his decision to leave was a hard one. Lafon presided over numerous curriculum, communication, construction, technology, finance and community relations projects during his 18 years as superintendent. The St. Charles Parish Public School System is ranked eight in the state. Lafon said that one of the most notable moments in career was when the school system was accredited by Advance ED. Lafon said it was a big step because St. Charles Public School system is one of few systems in the country to have done it.

Lafon believes the school board should have the last say on his successor and plans to stay out of the hiring process for the new superintendent entirely.

He offered a bit of advice for future superintendents:”I think the important thing is that you have to develop a relationship with the school board. We’ve got superintendents out there that don’t listen to the board, and that’s not good because the board listens to the people, listens to the community,” he said.

“I think the next thing that a superintendent needs to remember is that what happens in the classroom is the most important thing about education. Making sure those teachers are ready, prepared, have everything they need, get the right professional development so they can provide the best education possible and instruction in that classroom. If you lose sight of that as a superintendent, you blew it,” he continued.

Lafon also recommended placing an emphasis on professional development and visiting classrooms every day.

Lafon said he had opportunities during his tenure to move on to bigger school systems but chose not to because he’d developed an attachment to the surrounding community. He also said he had no regrets about any decisions he made during his career.

“I love this community. I don’t have any plans to leave here because I’m retired. We have a very caring community. They talk about us being the parish of plenty. I think we ought to be called the parish of caring because i find that the people care so much. It’s such a nice place to live.”

Lafon said his post-retirement plans consist of traveling and playing more music. The superintendent is an avid trumpet player and was an established musician before he became involved in the education field. Currently, he plays with three groups: Luther Kent and Trick Bag, the Wise Guys and the Jerry Leonard Society Orchestra. He also participated in Jazz Fest this year.

Lafon’s retirement in effective on July 1. As far as celebrations, the superintendent said “If there are plans, I don’t know about them.”