WWL-TV.com
NEW ORLEANS - John White, the head of the Recovery School District in New Orleans, has been chosen to lead Louisiana schools as superintendent for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
White was Gov. Bobby Jindal's choice to lead Louisiana schools.
"John's done a great job for the Recovery School District and he's going to do a great job as Superintendent of Education," said Jindal in an e-mail. "Improving our educational system will require bold leadership and innovative ideas, such as empowering parents with more choices, rewarding highly effective teachers, and giving our schools the flexibility to pursue the most effective reforms for students in their communities.
White received support locally from Sen. Mary Landrieu and her brother, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
"I wish John White well in his new role with the state," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "John has committed to maintain a strong focus on improving New Orleans schools and providing the resources they need to succeed, and I look forward to working with him in strengthening New Orleans' stellar reforms."
The vote comes just a couple of hours before White is expected to make a "major announcement " about the future of RSD Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier this month, the acting superintendent Ollie Tyler announced she was leaving the post, putting the job of leading Louisiana schools up for grabs.
White has said before that he finds the job appealing, but is also concentrating on his current post. "I'll deeply consider it," he said last month.
At White's news conference regarding the future of RSD at Clark High School in New Orleans, Patrick Dobard was named as the interim RSD Superintendent.
