EBR Superintendent Vote Ends in Deadlock Amid Allegations and Public Outcry

BATON ROUGE, La. — The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board's attempt to appoint a new superintendent descended into chaos Thursday night, ending in a deadlock and sparking allegations of racism and undue influence. The prolonged meeting, marked by high tensions and emotional outbursts, failed to produce a new leader for the district, leaving the community in limbo.

The four-hour marathon session saw impassioned public comments, with a substantial contingent supporting interim superintendent Adam Smith vocally. Chants of "We want Adam" echoed throughout the crowded room and overflow areas, reflecting the community’s overwhelming preference. Despite this, Smith was not among the final candidates due to a failed motion to add him to the list.

Board President Carla Powell Lewis openly accused some of her colleagues of being influenced by external business interests that had endorsed their campaigns. "All throughout the year, we were being coached. The people who had been endorsed received text messages and had meetings to tell us what we're supposed to say and do," Lewis stated. Her remarks underscored the tension and mistrust permeating the board.

During the meeting, Lewis directly addressed candidate Kevin George, urging him to reconsider his interest in the position amid the turmoil. "Mr. George, I have met you before. We sat down together back in February at a coffee shop and you mentioned your interest. But all I say is, if I were you, I'd run the hell away from here," she said.

Kevin George received four votes in the crucial vote from board members Patrick Martin, Mark Billu, Nathan Rust, and Emily Solu. However, the five abstentions prevented a final decision, as at least five votes are required to appoint a superintendent. Andrea Zayas, another finalist, did not receive any votes.

The meeting reached a boiling point when Lewis criticized the influence of what she termed "puppet masters" guiding the process, who she noted were Black but potentially funded by white interests. "We have to remember that this is not, it looks like a racist battle because we're in this dance. But the puppet masters are Black. Now, they might be receiving white money, but they're Black," she asserted.

Following Lewis’s emotionally charged speech, the meeting became so heated that EBR sheriff's deputies had to intervene to restore order. The crowd’s reaction to the allegations and the stalled vote highlighted the deep divisions and high stakes involved in the superintendent selection process.

As the board grapples with this deadlock, community members are planning to escalate their actions. Some are organizing to discuss recalling certain board members at the Secretary of State's office. Additionally, there are calls for students, teachers, and staff to boycott the first day of school on August 8th, further complicating the district’s situation.

The board plans to reconvene next Thursday to attempt another vote. The ongoing saga continues to generate strong emotions and significant community involvement, underscoring the critical need for a resolution that aligns with the public’s expectations and restores stability to the district.