Calling it “the most important work of my lifetime,” new Superintendent LaMont Cole is grateful for the opportunity to lead the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
“It’s a great day for this community. It’s a great day for our families. Most importantly, it’s a great day for our children,” Cole said during his introductory press conference on Thursday. “I simply want to thank Baton Rouge for allowing me an opportunity to serve in this capacity.”
The press conference came a day after Cole was unanimously approved by the School Board. Among those joining Cole at the event were new Deputy Superintendent Adam Smith, board President Carla Powell-Lewis, board Vice President Patrick Martin and board member Shashonnie Steward.
“I want this to be a shift in the way we think about public education here in our great city,” Cole said. “In order for our school system to be successful, in order for this community and city-parish to be successful, our school system has to thrive.”
Cole most recently served as mayor pro tem of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council and chief academic officer of CSAL Inc., a Baton Rouge-based charter school network.
“Whether or not you are a family with a child in a public school here in the city of Baton Rouge, public education matters,” he said. “It matters for the greater good of our city because public education touches every aspect here in our city, and we have to make sure that we engage, we invite, we collaborate, we communicate and we listen to every member of this community who is concerned about public education.”
Cole has served more than 20 years in various capacities within the education sector. He’s also been principal of Park Forest Middle, principal of Capitol Middle School, assistant principal of Westdale Middle School and chief academic officer for ADVANCE Baton Rouge.
“Anyone who works with students, we want to make sure they have the support and resources they need to do that,” Cole said. “I think that contributes to keeping all of our students safe, and it helps parents to build confidence that the school system is always going to do right by their students.”
Cole said he expects more from all students.
“I firmly believe every student has, every child has genius-level ability that requires a teacher that (brings) genius-level ability for them to share and show,” he said.
Smith has an extensive background in educational administration and curriculum development, and most recently served as interim superintendent for EBR Schools.
