The changes in the Bogalusa City School system in advance of the coming school year include some longtime leaders.

The Daily News has confirmed that Chip Connerly, supervisor of maintenance and transportation, and Stevie Hoppen, supervisor of welfare and attendance who acted as interim superintendent for months between the time when Ruth Horne left early last spring and Louise Smith was hired in the summer, have retired.

Maj. Rick Fredieu, who led the Bogalusa High School JROTC and took its rifle teams to one national championship after another, also had his last day on the job last week.

Connerly, who had retired and later returned to work in 2005, has more than 40 years with the Bogalusa City School System. Hoppen has 41 years with the system. And Fredieu started the BHS JROTC program in 1993.

None of the three could be reached for comment as of deadline time Tuesday.