Four East Baton Rouge School Board members, Patrick Martin, Mark Bellue, Nathan Rust, and Emily Soulé, explained their decision not to support interim superintendent Adam Smith for the permanent superintendent position. They acknowledged Smith’s dedication but expressed concerns that being a “company man” might limit his ability to bring necessary changes to the district. They highlighted the district’s challenges, including low school ratings and performance levels below grade standards, emphasizing the need for a leader with a bold vision and a track record of significantly improving struggling educational systems. The board aims to finalize the selection of the next superintendent during a meeting scheduled for July 18, with the possibility of calling a special meeting if needed by early next week.
