Paul Pastorek might not ride a horse or wear his hair long like the Scotsman William Wallace in Braveheart, but he certainly has Wallace’s passion. Wallace was fighting for freedom from tyranny, and Pastorek fights to free Louisiana’s children from an often failing system gripped by mediocrity and the status quo.
I chose Braveheart to symbolize Pastorek’s fight before realizing how interesting the comparison was. When I went back and looked at our March 10 cover story [“The gospel according to Paul”], I found the following description of Pastorek by Paul Vallas, head of the Recovery School District:
“He is a very brave man,” Vallas says. “I call him ‘Braveheart.’”
Vallas says what Pastorek has over other superintendents is a “reformer’s instinct,” in that he’s comfortable with school choice, new management models and nontraditional teachers.
“His heart is pure,” Vallas says. “He really sees education as an issue of civil rights and national security. He is hellbent on doing whatever it takes to improve schools in Louisiana, and he works like a dog to do it.”
The cover story also said of Pastorek, “He’s put 75,000 miles on his truck touting ‘world-class education’ to Rotary Clubs, chambers of commerce and other entities across the state. But he also admits to being pushy—a trait he deems necessary when trying to get a ‘monopolistic bureaucracy’ with 100,000 employees and 69 different districts to adopt a vision.”
While Pastorek has gotten the respect and attention of national education groups, foundations and even U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan [who describes himself as a “Pastorek fan”], back at home recently there was a call by the Louisiana Association of Educators teachers union asking Gov. Bobby Jindal to request Pastorek step down. Jindal responded swiftly, saying, “The statement from the LAE is not constructive. We strongly support Paul Pastorek because he puts students first and believes in reforming our education system.”
The Louisiana School Board Association issued a statement criticizing Pastorek on the same day LAE asked for his resignation.
Meanwhile, the media seem to be hung up on “style” instead of “substance.” [Maybe they don’t understand the issues here. They certainly don’t understand education reform. They have proved that for years.] There have been a couple of newspaper features on Pastorek’s aggressive or abrasive style and how it rubs educators or legislators the wrong way. Give me a break! There is a battle going on for the future of Louisiana’s children, and the critics and media seem to believe everyone should “play nice,” like this is recess. Maybe the real agenda behind these stories is that the sources are afraid Pastorek might succeed.
The Times-Picayune did a major Sunday story recently critical of Pastorek’s style. Funny thing, one of their reporters talked to BESE member Chas Roemer for 45 minutes, but not a single quote from the interview was used. Maybe that was because the interview was favorable to Pastorek. Here’s what Roemer said that the Times-Picayune wouldn’t print:
“Let me be clear. Paul and I have not and do not always agree. In fact, I was the one member of the board who did not vote for his contract. That being said understand that the struggle you see now is not because of Paul’s approach. The struggle now is between the status quo led by the unions and those that want to change it. Does Paul sometimes manage with a heavy hand … sure, but I would argue that when you are fighting to change a system that has been entrenched for 25 years or more that is represented by people who are professionals at politics that a heavy hand might be required. Paul has my full support for the changes he is making and the issues he is tackling. Change is never easy and this won’t be either. Now, on the other hand, we can keep things like they are and take the status quo’s approach which is ‘give us more time and give us more money.’ I say enough is enough.”
Glenny Lee Buquet, another BESE member, understands the task facing Pastorek. “It’s a big ship to move,” Buquet told Business Report for our March 10 cover story. “So I think that’s the reason for his aggressive moves. He thinks things are not moving fast enough; he wants to get it done now. That doesn’t make him the most popular person, but I think down the line we will see change occurring for the betterment of Louisiana’s children.”
I believe Pastorek has a sense of urgency because he realizes how many children have been lost by the status quo system. He also witnesses every day the mighty forces that stand against him and change—unions, school boards, many superintendents, some BESE members, some legislators, apathy, complacency, inertia—he is one man laying siege to a fortress. One of the major reasons I supported Jindal is because he believes in school choice for parents and in education reform. Pastorek believes in that too, and they will fight for it. I admire that.
I can see Pastorek challenging us all with the speech that Wallace shouted to his men: “Will you fight? Fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live, at least for a while. And dying in your bed many years from now, will you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that, for just one chance, just one, to come back and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom?”
While we’re not risking our lives, the quality of life for our children is at stake. You and I are free to support Pastorek and Jindal in this battle. If they ruffle some feathers, good. If some folks get upset, too bad. I’m upset with the last 25 years of the status quo. Let’s have no regrets. Our children are worth fighting for—and this is the time.
Cause for celebration
Hats off to the federal prosecutors who once again rid Louisiana of a crooked politician. Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson will end his career just as his close friend and ally, Gov. Edwin Edwards, ended his—behind bars. Like two peas in a pod, these slick politicians did such damage to our state. And Jefferson’s possible 150-year sentence was earned by his actions.
As the U.S. attorney said about Jefferson after the conviction, “He used his influence and power to enrich himself and his family. This case was about greed and money and the jury agreed with us. No congressman is above the law.”
And let’s not forget, Jefferson endorsed Ray Nagin in his re-election campaign for mayor—and then Nagin endorsed Jefferson for Congress. How incestuous.
The Advocate penned an editorial the day after the conviction titled, “Another Stain for Louisiana.” Fact is, that’s not the way the national press was portraying it. The Washington Post referred to the “former Louisiana congressman.” That says our voters get credit for finding him guilty and ousting him before the jury did. The New York Times referred to Jefferson as a “New Orleans Democrat” and didn’t even mention the state.
I also noticed that on Thursday, Aug. 6, in the first 40 postings by readers following the article on the Washington Post Web site, not one mentioned Louisiana’s past reputation or made jokes. Just maybe folks nationally are taking note, as Jindal travels and makes appearances on national TV, that it is a new day in Louisiana with new leadership—and their perception of our state is changing. We may still have dishonest politicians, but we don’t find it funny anymore and we don’t wink and nod. In fact, we celebrate when they are found guilty and go to prison.
