The Louisiana R-II School Board had 28 quality candidates
apply for the Superintendent.  The Board
interviewed 7 candidates and noted they were extremely impressed with the
person to whom they have extended a two- year contract.  Dr. Richard Basden will be bringing many years
of experience to Louisiana
RII School
District. 

He has administrative experience such as:  Superintendent of Pikeland Community School
District #10, Division Administrator for Illinois State Board of Education,
Assistant Superintendent Alton Community School District, Superintendent
Jacksonville School District, Executive Director, Human resources of St. Louis
Public Schools, Director of the Department of Education for Benedictine
University, Interim Superintendent for two school districts, and his most
current position as Superintendent of Clinton Community Schools in Clinton,
Iowa.   Clinton Community Schools has an
annual budget of $45,000,000, Professional staff of 395, Support staff of 410,
and a student population of 4,400 students. 
Basden received his Bachelors of Science, Masters of Science and
Educational Specialist Degree from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville
and Doctor of Education from St. Louis University, St. Louis Mo.  In addition, Basden has been involved in
numerous community organizations and activities, such as: Jacksonville Rotary
Club, Clinton Rotary Club, Clinton Municipal Airport Board, US Parachute
Association, School Administrators of Iowa, AEA #9 Superintendents Network, Illinois
Association of School Administrators, Clinton County United Way Board Member,
City of Clinton Parkland Committee, Bridgeview Health Services Board Member,
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and many other experiences/activities.  His hobbies include community volunteering,
skydiving, scuba diving, hunting and fishing.

 It is with great
excitement the Louisiana Board of Education welcomes Basden to the school
district.