The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education says that State Superintendent John White will step down from his position.
On Wednesday, White announced his resignation from the position he has held since 2012. BESE says they will immediately begin the process of selecting a new State Superintendent.
Governor John Bel Edwards issued the following statement:
“Though we have not always seen eye to eye, I appreciate John White's service to our state. By working together, teachers received their first pay raise in a decade, MFP funding increased and additional funding was provided for early childhood education, all things the Superintendent supported. Louisiana has also achieved the highest graduation rate in history, increased the numbers of high schoolers earning college credit, and provided more opportunities for families needing early childhood education services. I wish him well, and I thank him for his service to our state.”
Superintendent White’s resignation will be effective March 11, 2020.
In the coming days, BESE says they will convene a special meeting in Baton Rouge to discuss the process and timeframe for selecting his replacement. The Board appoints the position of State Superintendent by a two-thirds vote of its total membership.
The date of the BESE special meeting to discuss filling the State Superintendent position will be announced within the week. At the meeting, the Board is expected to address the search process, candidate criteria, anticipated timeline and related activities.
