By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — During the superintendent’s remarks section of Tuesday night’s board meeting, Lincoln Parish School Superintendent Ricky Durrett announced that he will be officially retiring from his role on June 30, 2026.
“We have a great school district here in Lincoln Parish, and we’ve had great superintendents before me,” Durrett said. “Our district was in a great spot when I took over for (former superintendent Dr. Mike Milstead). I think the people that we have in our schools working, the teachers, principals — all of those people are great and make our system go. That will continue after I’m gone, because I feel really good with the people that we have going forward as I leave.”
Durrett was hired on January 1, 2021, and had one year remaining on his contract — but still said that he had no doubt the time was right for him to retire.
“I coached girls basketball for 20 years and taught during that time, and people always asked me when I knew it was time to get out,” Durrett said. “And when going to games had gotten monotonous for me, it was time for me to step out of that. I’ve talked through this year — it’s not something I’m enjoying a whole lot anymore. It’s time to move onto something else. I do enjoy the people, and I think we’ve got a great faculty and staff all the way around from our bus drives to custodians, to cafeteria, to teachers, administrators and staff — we’ve got a great support system in Lincoln Parish, and honestly, the superintendent probably has the easiest job.
“My wife retired last year, and she seems to really be enjoying it, and I think with us both being retired after this year, we’ll be able to follow our grandkids and support our kids — that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.”
LPSB President Gregg Phillips thanked Durrett for his time in the role, which included Lincoln Parish moving into an A-rating in School Performance Scores in 2023 and maintaining A-status in 2024 and 2025.
“I so much appreciate Mr. Durrett and the leadership he’s given this community,” Phillips said. “He was the principal at Ruston High when my kids went through. We loved him then, but we really appreciate the leadership that he’s provided since I’ve been on this board, and he’s been a great mentor for me by helping me learn about how this school system works. He’s earned this, so I’m happy for him.”
Phillips said that during a training on Tuesday of next week with Jon Guice, the board will go over the legalities of timelines and dates for appointing the next superintendent.
