Gov. John Bel Edwards waded into another dispute on Wednesday.
As The Associated Press reports, the Democrat told listeners of his monthly radio call-in show that John White, Louisiana’s superintendent of education, hasn’t followed the legal requirements for keeping his job.
On his show, Edwards said he believes White needed to be reconfirmed by the Louisiana Senate to stay in the position this term, which didn’t happen. Edwards, though, did not say whether he’ll challenge White’s legitimacy as superintendent in court.
“We’re taking a look at that situation,” he said, adding “that may be something that needs to be litigated.” Later, Spokesman Richard Carbo added Edwards “is seriously reviewing his options.”
More than a dozen residents filed a lawsuit alleging White’s reconfirmation was needed, but a Baton Rouge judge dismissed that lawsuit last week, saying only a few elected officials have the legal ability to file such a petition. On the judge’s list: the governor.
White was appointed by the 11-member Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and approved by the Senate in 2012, backed for the job at the time by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The education board hires and fires superintendents, a decision that requires a two-thirds vote.
The education board hires and fires superintendents, a decision that requires a two-thirds vote. White’s opponents, including Edwards, lack the eight board votes needed to fire him. White’s supporters don’t have the eight votes required to enter into a new contract with him so he’s been working on a month-to-month basis since the board’s term began in January 2016.
“I am going to continue to serve the children of Louisiana until BESE tells me to stop doing so,” White said after being told of the governor’s remarks Wednesday. “BESE is the body that hires the state superintendent. The board has yet to make an appointment this term, and until they tell me to stop serving in my capacity, I’m going to continue to do so.”
