Kevin George Withdraws from EBR Superintendent Selection Process
BATON ROUGE, La. — In a dramatic turn of events, Kevin George, a leading contender for the East Baton Rouge (EBR) superintendent role, has abruptly withdrawn from the selection process. This announcement comes on the heels of a fiery school board meeting, making George the second candidate to exit the race, following Krish Mohip.
George revealed his decision in an email to LSU lab school parents, citing the repeated delays in the EBR superintendent search as a significant factor. "I have a permanent job that I really have to figure out what's best for everyone involved," George explained.
Thursday's board meeting was charged with tension and passionate exchanges. Despite the intensity of the evening, George received four votes in the board's decision-making process. One member abstained, while four others chose not to vote, voicing their support for interim superintendent Adam Smith.
George remarked on the eventful night, "Just an incredible night. What I love about this is just all the passion. Everyone's coming up, they're passionate about learning and wanting the best for their children."
With the school year rapidly approaching, the board is under immense pressure to finalize the selection of a new superintendent. Andrea Zayas from Boston is now the sole remaining candidate. However, board member Atlantis stressed that George's departure does not secure the position for Zayas. "It's still a process of voting," Atlantis stated. "Now, it opens the idea and possibilities of maybe other options. But again, I'm not at liberty to say that because I don't know what those other options are yet. But what I do know is that the community has spoken."
The urgency to appoint a new leader for the EBR school district is palpable, as the board faces a crucial decision to shape the future of education in the community. The unexpected withdrawal of two finalists highlights the challenges and high stakes in selecting the next superintendent.
