FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2018
Education Coalition Applauds Leaders Elected to East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Coalition collectively supported four candidates in Districts 2, 3, 5, and 7
District 2 race will continue into a runoff
BATON ROUGE, LA– A coalition of education advocates, including Louisiana Charter Schools in Action, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana, and Stand for Children Louisiana are proud to applaud the bold leaders who have been elected to the East Baton Rouge School Board. All three organizations collectively supported three candidates who won their races in Districts 3, 5, and 7. District 2 will enter a run-off. Each organization also supported other candidates in public endorsements last month.
In District 3, challenger Tramelle Howard (52%) ousted incumbent Kenyetta Nelson-Smith (48%) while in District 5, incumbent Evelyn Ware-Jackson (58%) was re-elected to her seat beating challenger Cliff Lewis (42%). In District 7, incumbent Mike Gaudet (58%) handily won re-election against challenger Tania Nyman (42%).
In District 2, challenger Dadrius Lanus (47%) and incumbent Vereta Lee (32%) will enter a runoff to be held Saturday, December 8, 2018.
These are unofficial returns according to Louisiana’s Secretary of State’s website.
“We congratulate the winning candidates tonight and welcome the new leadership to the East Baton Rouge School Board to drive change on behalf of students and ensure millions of taxpayer dollars are better spent across the school district. With almost 70% of the vote going against the incumbent in District 2, it’s clear voters want a change from the old guard that has worked against reform, missed critical votes and have been hostile towards charter schools. We will continue to engage in the coming weeks to ensure a clear path for the future of public education in Baton Rouge,” said Caroline Roemer, Executive Director, Louisiana Charter Schools In Action.
“We are proud to applaud these leaders for hard-fought and well-deserved victories this evening. This is the beginning of a new direction for the district that will positively impact students across Baton Rouge. Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish are demanding better options and resources for their students. I’m excited that we will have quality education champions and dedicated public servants serving our students. DFER looks forward to working with this next Board to continue improving policy related to accountability measures, smarter allocation of resources, better facilities, and the expansion of public school choice so that every child has the choice to attend a high-quality public school, no matter their zip code,” said Eva Kemp, State Director, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana.
“We’re extremely excited and proud to have supported both new and returning bold, student-centered leaders, chosen by their constituents to represent our students and families. Our parent, educator and faith leader membership has high hopes for the future of our schools. We hope to see the newly and re-elected East Baton Rouge Parish School Board take bold steps for kids and begin to address the declining graduation rates, inequitable access to quality schools for all children and hold those charged with supporting our children accountable,” stated Carrie Griffin Monica, Executive Director of Stand for Children Louisiana.
All three leaders of LCSA, DFER, and Stand look forward to the runoff and then working with the newly sworn-in board to shift the vision of the East Baton Rouge School Board to improve outcomes for every student and family in Baton Rouge. Each organization remains committed to ensuring that Board members make the best decisions for kids, parents and community members and value bold leadership, innovation, equity and accountability in each decision that comes before the board.
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Contact: Roby Chavez
[email protected]
About Louisiana Charter Schools in Action
Louisiana Charter Schools in Action (LCSA) is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for Louisiana’s charter school community by increasing the number of charter school champions, educating stakeholders, and lobbying public officials to support high quality charter schools. To learn more visit https://lachartersinaction.org.
