The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has scheduled a special meeting for noon Wednesday to vote on state superintendent candidate John White. The meeting will be held in the Louisiana Purchase Room of the Claiborne Building, 1201 N. Third St. The board will vote up-or-down on White, who is currently superintendent of the Recovery School District. At least two-thirds (eight members) of the 11-member board must cast a favorable vote for a candidate to secure the appointment. The seat has been vacant since last May, when then-superintendent Paul Pastorek stepped down. Chas Roemer, who represents District 6 on the board, says White should face little opposition. “He had the full backing of the old board, and he’s earned the respect of the new board,” he says. Roemer says he is in solidarity with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed education reforms, a topic that dominated the governor’s inaugural speech Monday. “He laid out some general concerns I agree with,” Roemer said. “Very broad guidelines, but ones I agree with wholeheartedly. His focus seems to be improving education in our state for all kids, which is the key to economic development.” Jindal has endorsed White for state superintendent. Read more about the special meeting here. — Ian McGibboney
Editor’s note: This story has been changed since its original publication.
