BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
After seeing what many called a circus at the East Baton Rouge School Board, some are asking "Who would want to come here?" The sole superintendent candidate scratched his name and the board failed to select an interim. Former board members say this board continues to be split, but they need to forget who funded their campaign and make some decisions.
"I'm sick of this!" In the moments after Wednesday's school board meeting in East Baton Rouge, board member Veretta Lee shoved her chair, ranting about board members not caring about the children in the parish.
Moments before the outburst, current board president Barbara Freiberg told the audience every person on the board cares about the children.
"While their mouths say that, their behavior certainly doesn't," said former board president Dr. Jackie Mims. She says what's clear from recent meetings; board members are not on the same page.
If the board cannot agree on an interim superintendent, the feeling is, how will they ever select a new leader?
"The community recognizes that the board is polarized. And I don't see that dynamic changing anytime soon," Dr. Mims said.
Noel Hammatt, also a former board member says its clear politics is playing a role in this school board room.
"Some with allegiance to the voters, some with allegiance to who funded their campaigns," he said.
Even those at the meeting are frustrated with what they see. After the meeting chants of "recall the board" were heard.
But the question by one audience member still remains. "What happens after the 24th? Do we have a leader?"
Superintendent John Dilworth leaves February 24th. Dilworth decided not to renew his contract and had originally scheduled to leave at the end of his contract, this summer. But recently he cited he was leaving earlier, for health reasons.
Board members have said they weren't satisfied with the list of superintendent candidates, and they wanted to reopen the search.
"Anyone listening to that might question whether this was the right place for them to come," said Hammatt.
Dr. Sims says this second search may not yield anything better than what members were unsatisfied with the first go round.
"Who would want to come and be a part of our community?" Dr. Sims questioned. "We needed a superintendent yesterday."
Sims also pointed out without a strong school system, the city will be impacted. Businesses won't come, and as a result the community won't grow.
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