Petition Started Over Finalists Selected for East Baton Rouge Schools Superintendent
A social media group identifying as a coalition of community members is calling for the recall of all nine East Baton Rouge school board members.
BATON ROUGE, La. — A petition advocating for East Baton Rouge interim school superintendent Adam Smith to be named the parish’s new school leader has emerged following his exclusion from the three superintendent finalists announced on June 28.
School board president Carla Powell-Lewis supported Smith, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and promoting individuals who have risen through the district's ranks. "When do we support our own who have come through the ranks of our district?" Powell-Lewis remarked.
This is not the first time Smith has been overlooked for the position, a decision that has stirred discontent among many community members.
In addition, a social media group identifying as a coalition of community members is calling for the recall of all nine East Baton Rouge school board members, refusing to accept the three final candidates.
Powell-Lewis highlighted that despite the controversy, the board has the option to appoint a superintendent if a motion is brought forward and gains majority approval. "As of Monday, we could have appointed a superintendent. That is still a possibility if we have five votes for that," she explained. However, she has no plans to initiate such a motion, doubting it would garner the required support.
The three finalists selected are:
- Kevin George, Director of the University Laboratory School at LSU
- Andrea Zayas, former Executive Director of a teacher pathway program in Boston
- Krish Mohip, Chief Education Officer of the Illinois State Board of Education
Powell-Lewis noted that five board members voted for the same three finalists, raising concerns about possible pre-meeting discussions. "It makes me question if there was a conversation ahead of time," she said. When asked if such discussions would be illegal, she affirmed, "It is."
