Iberville Parish School Board selects new superintendent

The Iberville Parish School Board unanimously selected Arthur Joffrion, Jr. as the new schools superintendent.

Joffrion, 46, currently serves as executive assistant superintendent for the Rapides Parish School District and is a native of Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

“I’m really humbled by the unanimous vote,” Joffrion said after the board’s selection.  “I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”

Joffrion began his more than 20 years of teaching experience in Terrebonne Parish in 1992 after he graduated from Nicholls State University.  In 2013, he later moved to Rapides Parish, according to School Board President Polly Higdon.

“We’re very excited and we’re looking forward to working with him,” Higdon said.  “He’s (Joffrion) got incredible passion, energy, knowledge and skill.

“He’s served as a teacher, principal, assistant principal, director of federal funds and director of special education.  He’s served in many capacities and is more than qualified for this position.”

After the unanimous vote, the board will meet Monday, August 8 at 6 p.m. to negotiate Joffrion’s contract.

Joffrion was selected out of 14 qualified applicants.  The selection process began in early June as former Iberville School Board superintendent Edward Cancienne accepted a position as the superintendent in St. James Parish.

The candidates were narrowed down to four candidates by June 18 and then eventually to two, Joffrion and Karen D’Ann Cathriner-Vonderau, superintendent for High Island Independent School District in High Island, Texas.  After a round of interviews, the board unanimously selected Joffrion.

“This was quite a process,” Higdon said.  “It was very transparent and very fair.  We are very pleased with the outcome.”

The father of four addressed the board on his intentions with the position.

“It’s important I make decisions that are first, best for the students, and second, best to the employees and third, best for the overall greater good,” Joffrion said to the board (courtesy of Terry Jones of The Advocate).  “I am truly a hands on, boots on the ground, roll up my sleeves, let’s get it done and get it done right kind of guy.”