SLS 23RS-1982 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 55
BY SENATORS CATHEY, JACKSON AND MORRI S
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Dr. Don Coker, Ouachita Parish Superintendent upon
his retirement and to congratulate him for over thirty-five years of service in the field of
education.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To commend Dr. Don Coker, Ouachita Parish Superintendent upon his retirement and to
3 congratulate him for over thirty-five years of service in the field of education.
4 WHEREAS, Don Coker, a graduate of Louisiana Tech University earned his
5 bachelor's and master's degrees in Health and Physical Education, a master's plus 30 hours
6 in Administration and Supervision, and his Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership; and
7 WHEREAS, upon obtaining his education he chose to enter the honorable profession
8 of teaching in Louisiana, specifically in the Ouachita Parish School System; and
9 WHEREAS, with the well-being of faculty, students, and the community always in
10 the forefront of his mind, many describe him as a gifted educational leader whose leadership
11 earned the district regional, statewide, and national recognition for best educational
12 practices; and
13 WHEREAS, he worked for over thirty-five years as an educator in the Ouachita
14 Parish School System, serving as a teacher and coach at West Ouachita High School,
15 transferring to principal at Calhoun Middle School, then serving as Director of Personnel and
16 Middle Schools, followed by a subsequent appointment as Assistant Superintendent before
17 his current appointment in July 2015 as Superintendent of Ouachita Parish Schools; and
18 WHEREAS, Dr. Coker has received a plethora of awards, such as Principal of the
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SLS 23RS-1982 ORIGINAL
1 Year and has been highly sought after to share his expertise and extraordinary insight on
2 various leadership committees and community boards which he served on; and
3 WHEREAS, as a member of New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, he serves as a Deacon
4 and the Sunday School Director; and
5 WHEREAS, at the recent Ouachita Parish School Board meeting, Dr. Coker
6 officially announced that he would be retiring on July 4, 2023, and added, "I'll be able to
7 remember that because that's Independence Day and it will be true independence when I
8 actually retire."; and
9 WHEREAS, being married to his best friend and biggest supporter, Pat Richardson
10 Coker, maybe their new independence will allow them to spend more time traveling and
11 with their growing family; and
12 WHEREAS, future generations will be bereft of his educational leadership and many
13 past and current colleagues will greatly miss him; it is appropriate that Dr. Don Coker be
14 commended for his dedication to the field of education and for the countless lives he has
15 touched.
16 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
17 commend Dr. Don Coker upon his retirement after a long and distinguished career in
18 education, does hereby record for posterity his noble accomplishments, and express
19 appreciation for his years of service to the citizens of Ouachita Parish and the people of
20 Louisiana, and does hereby extend to him best wishes during his "independence" time in
21 retirement.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
23 Dr. Don Coker.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Ann S. Brown.
DIGEST
SCR 55 Original 2023 Regular Session Cathey
Commends Dr. Don Coker, Ouachita Parish Superintendent, upon his retirement and to
congratulate him for over 35 years of service in the field of education.
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