Joining the show from the East Baton Rouge school system, school board members Patrick Martin and Emily Soule were welcomed to a studio. The conversation began with an update on the superintendent selection process, noting that from five finalists, the choice was narrowed down to two after one candidate withdrew to accept another job. The remaining candidates, Kevin George and Andrea Zayas, were praised for their strong backgrounds in education, with George having a successful tenure at a lab school and Zayas serving as chief of education in the Boston Public Schools.
The focus of the selection is on finding a superintendent who can ensure that students are well-prepared for adulthood and can meet the community’s needs. The board is looking for a candidate with a comprehensive plan for student development from early childhood through graduation. The interview process has involved extensive engagement with community and business leaders, parents, principals, and teachers to assess the candidates’ responses and interactions.
The board spent a significant amount of time at their planning and professional development center, facilitating interviews and providing the public with opportunities to engage with the candidates. The aim is to discern which candidate stands out in their ability to support the students’ journey through the school system. With decision time approaching on the 11th, the board is actively seeking to identify the candidate who can best lead the school system into the future.