The Zachary Community School Board accepted on July 12 the the appointment of Gordon Robertson, the district's financial director, as interim superintendent.

Robertson accepted the temporary position and takes on his new role Sept. 5.

Superintendent Warren Drake will be leaving as head of the number one school district for the past seven years to accept a position with the Louisiana Department of Education.

Drake's last day will be Sept. 4.

Robertson, born in Natchitoches, La., lived in Minden until the age of 6. He then moved to Rayville, later to Port Allen and finally to Baton Rouge when he married in 1968.

Robertson was hired as a Business Manager for the Zachary School Board in October 2002.

He spent 18 1/2 years as a Legislative Auditor and 14 1/2 years as a Business Manger for the Ascension Parish School Board.

Robertson is an Army military veteran who was drafted in June 1968 and retired at the rank of Major in 1996.

"I had one year of active duty at Fort Carson Colorado, one year in Vietnam and one year in Saudi Arabia (Desert Storm)," Robertson said. "The rest of my service time was in the active reserves or the National Guard."

Robertson said he likes working for an organization where a person is appreciated and acknowledged for the job they do.

"Working with a group of professionals who work as a team for the same goal - providing the best possible education for students - is a blessing," Robertson said. "I like working in a community that has the very best support for education I have ever seen. I also like working for a superintendent that lets me do my job and working for board members who do not have political agendas."

The interim superintendent said it's gratifying to know that both the Zachary superintendent and school board have confidence in him. "I've been given this wonderful opportunity, and it's pretty exciting to have this new challenge," said Robertson.

Roberton's goals as interim superintendent: To continue to provide teachers with everything they need to give their students the very best education possible; to make sure that the Zachary School System continues to look for new areas to enhance education of the students; and to provide teachers with the lastest teaching techniques.

Robertson is happily married to his wife of 35 years, Milissa. Together they have a son, Jon, and a daughter, Dawn.

NEXT WEEK: A spotlight on interim school board member, Boyce Smith Jr.