Dive Brief:
- John Bel Edwards, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Lousiana, has said that current state schools superintendent John White would not be allowed to retain his position, if Edwards is elected.
- In a statement released Monday, Edwards said White, who has overseen Louisiana’s schools since 2012, “isn’t qualified to be a middle school principal.”
- Edwards has received backing from teachers’ unions, which have been at odds with White over his support for school vouchers and his aggressive school reforms.
Dive Insight:
The statement is the latest in a series of political clashes White, who oversaw the controversial New Orleans Recovery School district for a time, has faced. Gov. Bobby Jindal originally selected White, formerly of New York city public schools, but has since split with him over White’s support for the Common Core State Standards. White’s appointment is officially determined by the state school board, which is also in the midst of an election, but the governor traditionally wields considerable influence.
The other gubernatorial candidates on the Republican side did not join the fracas. Two, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Sen. David Vitter, did not comment and a third, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, said he trusted the state board of education would pick the best candidate for the job.