The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has named Heidi Trosclair as interim superintendent of the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District.
Trosclair, previously the assistant superintendent, has been an employee of the district for more than 30 years.
“We’re bringing a sense of stability to this district as we go through the process of hiring the next superintendent,” School Board President Patrick Sanders said. “We think this is the person to do that.”
Trosclair is a product of the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District, entering kindergarten at LaPlace Elementary School and graduating from East St. John High School in 1984. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, she was interested in interviewing with only one parish and was hired as a teacher by the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District in 1988. During her time in the classroom, she taught at various elementary, middle and high schools in the district in subjects including English, social studies and yearbook and served as staff development teacher at East St. John High School.
She earned a master’s in educational leadership while serving as an administrative intern at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School and East St. John Elementary School. Her certifications include Ed. Leader Level 3 and Lifetime Level A Teaching Certificate in English.
For the past 10 years, Trosclair has worked in the central office in positions that include media coordinator, coordinator of high school programs, executive director of curriculum, executive director of assessment and accountability and, most recently, assistant superintendent.
At the end of her first School Board meeting as interim superintendent, Trosclair said that since the beginning of her career she had no doubt that her heart and soul belonged in St. John and that for her it has always been about the students. She vowed to continue putting students first during her time leading the district.
“My focus has never wavered and I tell this board today and I tell this board now when you come to meet with me about anything my question is going to be, ‘How does this decision impact the kids?,” she said. “This parish courses through my veins and I am here for you guys, for the employees, for the district office, for the administrators, for the teachers, for the staff members and the central office staff - but especially for the kids - so thank you for entrusting this to me.”
The School Board is currently establishing a timeline for the search and selection of a new superintendent and is seeking the public’s input on what they value in the next leader of the school system. St. John residents can share their input through the Superintendent Search Survey through June 23.