A Southwest Louisiana schools chief is calling it quits after 37 years of service, the last four as superintendent.

Allen Parish Schools Superintendent Kent Reed announced his retirement Monday at a School Board meeting.

"I have spoken with the board members and would like to announce that when my contract expires on June 30, I will not be seeking an extension and will be officially retiring on July 1," Reed said.

He said the decision did not come easy, noting his time as a high school English teacher, football, basketball and track coach, high school assistant principal, high school principal and supervisor in various roles for the Central School Office, The American Press reported.

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"I have truly enjoyed my career as an educator and look forward to the next phase of my life as I enter retirement," he said.

Reed said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, traveling and playing golf. He added that he wants to be remembered as a person who was fair, honest, hard-working and someone who cared about and made decisions for the good of all students.

The School Board will begin advertising for the position in March and hopes to have a new superintendent in place before Reed retires.

Reed said he will do whatever is needed to assure a smooth transition when a new superintendent is appointed.