The leader of one of Louisiana’s largest suburban school systems was chosen today as the state’s new education superintendent, defeating the business-backed candidate in a last-minute decision from the state’s top school board.
Jefferson Parish Schools Superintendent Cade Brumley won the second vote taken by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education after board members deadlocked on the first vote.
Brumley received the backing of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ three appointees to the K-12 education board, along with five elected members, including board President Sandy Holloway. Two-thirds of the 11-member board must agree to hire a superintendent. Brumley received exactly the eight votes needed.Â
He was favored over Jessica Baghian, an assistant state superintendent at the Department of Education who was backed by business organizations and pro-charter school groups, and Lonnie Luce, former superintendent of the St. James Parish school system.
Most of today’s public testimony came from groups and people supporting Baghian or not endorsing a specific contender. In the first round, board members voting on the candidates individually gave the three nominated contenders five votes of support each. Board members took a short recess, then came back for the second vote that selected Brumley.
Longtime leader John White resigned as superintendent in March after holding the position since 2012. White received a $275,000 salary. The search for his replacement took four months. Beth Scioneaux, chief financial officer at the Education Department, has been working as acting superintendent since White’s exit.Â
The eight education board members who backed Brumley were Holloway, Preston Castille, Belinda Davis, Tony Davis, Ashley Ellis, Kira Orange Jones, Thomas Roque and Doris Voitier.
The three board members who voted against Brumley were Holly Boffy, James Garvey and Ronnie Morris. Read the full storyÂ
