Today should be about one thing: welcoming students back to school.
There are a lot of distractions in our education community right now, between qualifying for school board elections and the news regarding the indictment of Superintendent Cole. While this is understandably concerning, the legal process will run its course.
As an organization whose core belief is that an excellent education is every child’s birthright, we are most concerned now for the thousands of students, teachers, families, and school staff beginning a new school year. This should be a time of excitement and possibility.
Children deserve high-quality schools, excellent teachers, and leaders who remain focused on improving academic outcomes. Families deserve confidence that the school board will keep the district moving forward without disruption.
The Baton Rouge Alliance for Students Action urges the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to continue leading with intentionality and transparency, keeping students—not politics or adult concerns—at the center of every decision. Our schools’ forward progress is hard-earned, and it is essential that education leaders remain centered on the best interest of Baton Rouge’s young people.
On this first day of school, our message to students, educators, and families is simple: we are rooting for your success. Our community’s commitment to providing every child with an excellent education continues to be our North Star.
Adonica Pelichet Duggan
Chief Executive Officer
Baton Rouge Alliance for Students Action
