Breakaway schools district leader vows ‘bigger and better’ return

Organizers behind the failed breakaway school district proposal for southeast East Baton Rouge Parish say they are working on a more robust plan to present to the Legislature next year. Local Schools for Local Children President Norman Browning says next year’s plan will be “bigger and better,” without going into details. “We’ll win next year,” Browning predicts. He says organizers are not planning to try and form a new municipality, as Central did as part of its drive for a new school district. Browning suggests there could be enough funding to go around for as many as four new school districts in East Baton Rouge to replace the current parishwide system. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board members have discussed the idea of creating four semi-autonomous systems within the broader one, a move that might appeal to people who believe smaller districts can be more responsive to the needs of their schools. Browning says his group has been approached by school board members, and says they would be willing to have further discussions with parish system officials. —David Jacobs