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Inspiring humanity through transformational learning in the classroom and in the community.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System will be the cornerstone of the community as a premier educational institution by inspiring, cultivating and producing a modern workforce prepared to create a robust and thriving economy.
Inspiring humanity through transformational learning in the classroom and in the community.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System will be the cornerstone of the community as a premier educational institution by inspiring, cultivating and producing a modern workforce prepared to create a robust and thriving economy.
LaMont Cole has dedicated his life to improving the community and serving as a positive role model to inner-city youth. He has been in the field of education for 26 years. His commitment to education was fostered at a young age by his strong and nurturing mother. He credits his upbringing and his faith in God for placing him on the right path for success. He began working with young children in 1988, when he worked as a teacher’s aide at The Duffield’s Children’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. His passion for education led him to complete a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University and later a Master of Education from Southern University in Administration and Supervision. He has served as the Assistant Principal at Westdale Middle and McKinley Middle Magnet, and principal at Park Forest Middle School and Capitol Middle school in East Baton Rouge Parish. His last assignment as principal was for The Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, known to most in the greater Baton Rouge area as CSAL, which is a 6-8 grade charter middle school in Baton Rouge where he worked diligently to improve education for inner-city youth leading it to be one of the top performing charter schools in the state of Louisiana. He currently serves as the CAO of CSAL I NC., which is a charter management group operating five charter schools in the state of Louisiana where he guides the instructional programming at each school.
Mr. Cole’s masterful leadership is evidenced on a daily basis as he interacts with students, teachers, parents and stakeholders. He is often found in the classrooms supporting teachers, guiding instruction, and motivating students. In his 21-year career as a school leader, he and his teams have always been successful moving schools forward positively. He successfully guided the instructional practices which helped to earn Madison Preparatory the letter grade of’B’ and a National Blue-Ribbon award for Academic Excellence. CSAL Middle School also earned a letter grade of B under Mr. Cole’s instructional leadership. Both happened in the Fall of 2015. Mr. Cole’s community leadership extends to service on the board of HOPE Community Redevelopment, a board member of The Tyrus Thomas Foundation. He has also served on other boards, including the ABC Board and the board for Jess’s Bra Closet. In addition to these leadership obligations, Mr. Cole served as the President of the Baton Rouge NAACP and was a co-host of a weekly radio show called NAACP Speaks, for five years where he engaged the listening audience in discussions of challenging community issues. In the fall of 2015, Mr. Cole was nominated to serve on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council to represent District Seven in Baton Rouge. He was successfully appointed to serve in the seat of Metro – Councilman for District Seven in Baton Rouge. In the fall of 2016, Mr. Cole was elected by the people of District Seven to serve on the Metro – Council for four years. While serving as Councilman, he has spearheaded city wide initiatives including but not limited to:
Mr. Cole devotes many weekends to spearheading anti-gun and anti-violence rallies in the community, as well as coordinating community volunteer efforts like voter registration and workforce training. Mr. Cole’s life is a striking example of service through action, as each day he shapes and inspires the youth of our community and works to improve the quality of life for all citizens. He is the husband of Cassie Cole and the proud father of daughter, Parker Cole and son, Carter Cole.
Adam Smith was selected by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board as the Deputy Superintendent of Schools effective July 24, 2024.
Smith has served as an employee in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for over 27 years. Among his distinguished positions held within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, he has worked as a teacher, middle and high school principal, director and executive director. In 2015, he was selected to serve as the Associate Superintendent of Academics. In this role, Smith supervised student support departments by providing administrative coaching and oversight to the following instructional programs: English as a Second Language; Exceptional Student Services; Federal Programs; Gifted and Talented Services; Homeless; and Magnet Programs. In the summer of 2017, supervision of the district’s direct run elementary sites was added to his scope of work. During his tenure in this role, over 90% of Mr. Smith’s cohort schools earned an A or B letter grade in the state’s accountability progress scores with over 50% of them earning A letter grades for two consecutive years. In addition to supporting the leaders of the district’s nearly forty elementary sites, Mr. Smith also supervised, mentored and provided effective professional development and organizational support to multiple direct reports and district-level administrators.
In the fall semester of 2020, Mr. Smith was appointed to serve as Interim Superintendent in the midst of an unexpected vacancy. With the support of the Board and community during the pandemic, Mr. Smith collaboratively designed and executed a transition plan to guide the district’s work into fundamental focus areas involving teaching and learning; health and safety; operations and organizational efficiency; and communications and external engagement. In 2021, Mr. Smith returned to the role of Associate Superintendent under the new organizational structure of a permanent leader.
In each of the leadership positions Mr. Smith has held, he has demonstrated a steadfast and firm commitment to the Baton Rouge community’s children. More than ever, his focus remains on meeting the demands of our educational landscape to ensure safe school environments. He also prioritizes a strong commitment to providing equitable access to high-quality public education with resources that provide the foundations from early childhood through college and career readiness. Mr. Smith and his wife have been residents of East Baton Rouge Parish for nearly thirty years. Together, they are the proud parents of four EBR school graduates and the grandparents of six children, two of whom currently attend district elementary schools.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System and all of its entities (including Career and Technical Education Programs) do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability, or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment), and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX Coordinator is Andrew Davis, Director of Risk Management – ADavis6@ebrschools.org, (225) 929-8705. The Section 504 Coordinator is Danielle Staten – DStaten@ebrschools.org, (225) 930-5350.
Bellue graduated from Belaire High School in 1983. He earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Louisiana State University. He began working with LUBA Worker’s Comp in 2007 and became the company’s vice president of governmental relations in 2010.
Bellue’s family includes his wife, Carol, and their two children. They are members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Bellue participates as a volunteer in the Men’s Club, youth sports, the Parish Festival and the Boy Scouts of America.
Bellue graduated from Belaire High School in 1983. He earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Louisiana State University. He began working with LUBA Worker’s Comp in 2007 and became the company’s vice president of governmental relations in 2010.
Bellue’s family includes his wife, Carol, and their two children. They are members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Bellue participates as a volunteer in the Men’s Club, youth sports, the Parish Festival and the Boy Scouts of America.
Dadrius Lanus is an educational advocate fighting to bring liberation to all black and brown communities across East Baton Rouge Parish. Dadrius has made it his mission to reignite the “Poor People’s Campaign” by empowering students, teachers, and community stakeholders to identify and defeat socio-economic barriers that plague impoverished communities. Dadrius is a product of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System where he attended Forest Heights Elementary, Glen Oaks Middle, and Glen Oaks High School. While in college, Dadrius attended Southern University where he received his Bachelors, Masters, and Juris Doctorate Degree graduating with honors at each respective level. In December 2019, with over 60% of the vote, Dadrius became one the youngest members ever elected to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the District 2 Community.
Dadrius Lanus is an educational advocate fighting to bring liberation to all black and brown communities across East Baton Rouge Parish. Dadrius has made it his mission to reignite the “Poor People’s Campaign” by empowering students, teachers, and community stakeholders to identify and defeat socio-economic barriers that plague impoverished communities. Dadrius is a product of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System where he attended Forest Heights Elementary, Glen Oaks Middle, and Glen Oaks High School. While in college, Dadrius attended Southern University where he received his Bachelors, Masters, and Juris Doctorate Degree graduating with honors at each respective level. In December 2019, with over 60% of the vote, Dadrius became one the youngest members ever elected to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the District 2 Community.
Carla C. Powell is a native and lifelong resident of the Scotlandville community. She is a veteran social studies teacher with almost 20 years of teaching experience.
Powell is no stranger to public service, as she’s been a member of the executive boards of the Louisiana Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for Social Studies. She is also a member of the East Baton Rouge branch of the National Association of University Women, the Nu Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Louisiana Association of Educators. Powell is proud to be an active member of the Scotlandville High Alumni Association and the Rhythm Nation and Flo-Motion Dance Communities of Baton Rouge.
Powell earned a Bachelor of Science in social studies education, a Master of Education in administration and supervision, and several graduate hours in public administration, all from Southern University.
Powell is the mother of one son, Darryl, and has many extended family members throughout the Baton Rouge area. She was ordained for ministry in 2017 and utilizes her passion for serving her community to enact positive change and develop productive citizens.
Carla C. Powell is a native and lifelong resident of the Scotlandville community. She is a veteran social studies teacher with almost 20 years of teaching experience.
Powell is no stranger to public service, as she’s been a member of the executive boards of the Louisiana Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for Social Studies. She is also a member of the East Baton Rouge branch of the National Association of University Women, the Nu Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Louisiana Association of Educators. Powell is proud to be an active member of the Scotlandville High Alumni Association and the Rhythm Nation and Flo-Motion Dance Communities of Baton Rouge.
Powell earned a Bachelor of Science in social studies education, a Master of Education in administration and supervision, and several graduate hours in public administration, all from Southern University.
Powell is the mother of one son, Darryl, and has many extended family members throughout the Baton Rouge area. She was ordained for ministry in 2017 and utilizes her passion for serving her community to enact positive change and develop productive citizens.
Shashonnie Steward has played a significant role in the rehabilitation of youth and adult offenders in the 19th Judicial District and surrounding courts as a court monitor/supervisor all while promoting initiatives and actively being a voice for the community. Stewart graduated as class salutatorian from Capitol High School in 1997. A true jaguar at heart, she attended Southern University and A&M College and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. In 2005, she completed her Master of Science in criminal justice and is currently a second-year law student with the esteemed Southern University Law Center. She is the owner of Redstick Rehabilitative & Correctional Services. She has one daughter, Khofie, and a 3-year-old granddaughter, Madelynn.
Clubs/Organizations:
Steward has served as president of the Park Forest East Civic Association and president of the Park Forest East Crime Prevention and Improvement District. She has also served in the Junior League since 2009, where she participated in Everybody Reads, Patient Activity Days, Weekend Backpacks, Ready Hands the Hollydays Committee.
Shashonnie Steward has played a significant role in the rehabilitation of youth and adult offenders in the 19th Judicial District and surrounding courts as a court monitor/supervisor all while promoting initiatives and actively being a voice for the community. Stewart graduated as class salutatorian from Capitol High School in 1997. A true jaguar at heart, she attended Southern University and A&M College and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. In 2005, she completed her Master of Science in criminal justice and is currently a second-year law student with the esteemed Southern University Law Center. She is the owner of Redstick Rehabilitative & Correctional Services. She has one daughter, Khofie, and a 3-year-old granddaughter, Madelynn.
Clubs/Organizations:
Steward has served as president of the Park Forest East Civic Association and president of the Park Forest East Crime Prevention and Improvement District. She has also served in the Junior League since 2009, where she participated in Everybody Reads, Patient Activity Days, Weekend Backpacks, Ready Hands the Hollydays Committee.
Clifford S. Lewis, known to most as “Cliff” or “Coach,” was born in Brewton, Alabama, in 1956. His mother taught in the public school system for 34 years. His father, also an educator, held the role of assistant superintendent of schools for the Brunswick County School District in Southport, North Carolina. His father retired as a command sergeant major after serving in the U.S Army for 20 years as an 82nd airborne paratrooper.
Cliff grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he attended public schools. An outstanding linebacker at Fort Walton Beach High School, Lewis went on to become a standout at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is credited with being the onfield inspiration for the famed “Nasty Bunch” defense. He was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
After graduation from Southern Mississippi, Cliff was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, where he spent four years as an outside linebacker. After his playing days, Cliff enjoyed a 16-year college coaching career. Coaching stops included Georgia Southern, Southern Mississippi and Southern University. In 2003, Lewis was the defensive coordinator for Southern University’s Historical Black College National Championship team.
In 2005, Cliff left the field but not his commitment to developing the hearts and minds of young people. After two years in the private sector, he followed his mother’s advice and moved to education. For the past 15 years, Cliff has worked as a parental engagement coordinator in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
2023 finds Cliff Lewis committed to a greater cause: the families and students of the EBRPSS.
Cliff calls Baton Rouge home, but he still loves the laid-back lifestyle of growing up on the beautiful beaches of northwest Florida. He is married to former EBR Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis. They are the parents of three adult children and 10 grandchildren, who attended and continue to attend public schools in EBR. Cliff and Donna are also the proud great-grandparents of three.
Clifford S. Lewis, known to most as “Cliff” or “Coach,” was born in Brewton, Alabama, in 1956. His mother taught in the public school system for 34 years. His father, also an educator, held the role of assistant superintendent of schools for the Brunswick County School District in Southport, North Carolina. His father retired as a command sergeant major after serving in the U.S Army for 20 years as an 82nd airborne paratrooper.
Cliff grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he attended public schools. An outstanding linebacker at Fort Walton Beach High School, Lewis went on to become a standout at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is credited with being the onfield inspiration for the famed “Nasty Bunch” defense. He was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
After graduation from Southern Mississippi, Cliff was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, where he spent four years as an outside linebacker. After his playing days, Cliff enjoyed a 16-year college coaching career. Coaching stops included Georgia Southern, Southern Mississippi and Southern University. In 2003, Lewis was the defensive coordinator for Southern University’s Historical Black College National Championship team.
In 2005, Cliff left the field but not his commitment to developing the hearts and minds of young people. After two years in the private sector, he followed his mother’s advice and moved to education. For the past 15 years, Cliff has worked as a parental engagement coordinator in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
2023 finds Cliff Lewis committed to a greater cause: the families and students of the EBRPSS.
Cliff calls Baton Rouge home, but he still loves the laid-back lifestyle of growing up on the beautiful beaches of northwest Florida. He is married to former EBR Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis. They are the parents of three adult children and 10 grandchildren, who attended and continue to attend public schools in EBR. Cliff and Donna are also the proud great-grandparents of three.
Nathan Rust is the managing partner at Prestigious Painting. He is passionate about service and gives back through his business with “Paint it Forward” and the “Young Entrepreneur Scholarship.” Nathan and wife Amanda have two children, Elijah and Grace, who both attend EBR Schools.
Nathan founded the Rotary Club of Southeast Baton Rouge with 24 other local leaders in February 2020 and served as club president from 2020-2022. He also serves as the charter organization representative to BSA Pack 15, where his son is a member of the Cub Scouts.
Nathan was elected as the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board representative for District 6 on Nov. 8, 2022. In this new opportunity, Nathan aims to strengthen our school system by ensuring every child in EBR has access to high-quality schools, regardless of where they live or their economic status.
Nathan Rust is the managing partner at Prestigious Painting. He is passionate about service and gives back through his business with “Paint it Forward” and the “Young Entrepreneur Scholarship.” Nathan and wife Amanda have two children, Elijah and Grace, who both attend EBR Schools.
Nathan founded the Rotary Club of Southeast Baton Rouge with 24 other local leaders in February 2020 and served as club president from 2020-2022. He also serves as the charter organization representative to BSA Pack 15, where his son is a member of the Cub Scouts.
Nathan was elected as the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board representative for District 6 on Nov. 8, 2022. In this new opportunity, Nathan aims to strengthen our school system by ensuring every child in EBR has access to high-quality schools, regardless of where they live or their economic status.
Michael “Mike” Gaudet was appointed to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board in January 2017 and elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022. Mike is a native of Raceland and graduated from Central Lafourche High School. He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Mike has been married to Margie John Gaudet (Broadmoor High School and LSU physical therapy) for 47 years. They have two daughters — Dr. Amy Rabalais, MD, and Sara MacDowell, DPT — of Baton Rouge; and a son, Dr. John Gaudet, of Boston. Mike and Margie also greatly enjoy having four grandchildren to light up their life. He retired from a 40-year career with Albemarle Corp. as a division vice president.
Mike has always been heavily involved in education and has served on the boards of St. Luke’s Episcopal Day School, Episcopal High School, Teach For America South Louisiana and THRIVE Charter School. He fervently believes that every child can learn, and it is the mission of the school system to help every child reach their potential.
Mike recognizes that one critical task is providing the necessary resources to students and teachers. He strives to use his management experience to help streamline operations, increase customer service and reduce noninstructional costs to support the classroom efforts.
Michael “Mike” Gaudet was appointed to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board in January 2017 and elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022. Mike is a native of Raceland and graduated from Central Lafourche High School. He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Mike has been married to Margie John Gaudet (Broadmoor High School and LSU physical therapy) for 47 years. They have two daughters — Dr. Amy Rabalais, MD, and Sara MacDowell, DPT — of Baton Rouge; and a son, Dr. John Gaudet, of Boston. Mike and Margie also greatly enjoy having four grandchildren to light up their life. He retired from a 40-year career with Albemarle Corp. as a division vice president.
Mike has always been heavily involved in education and has served on the boards of St. Luke’s Episcopal Day School, Episcopal High School, Teach For America South Louisiana and THRIVE Charter School. He fervently believes that every child can learn, and it is the mission of the school system to help every child reach their potential.
Mike recognizes that one critical task is providing the necessary resources to students and teachers. He strives to use his management experience to help streamline operations, increase customer service and reduce noninstructional costs to support the classroom efforts.
Emily is a lifelong resident of East Baton Rouge Parish, where she has built both her life and career around serving her community. She received her early education at local schools such as Chapel Trafton, now The Dunham School, and Sacred Heart, before graduating from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 2000. Emily then pursued higher education at Louisiana State University, graduating in 2004, and continued her studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. Emily grew up attending First Presbyterian Church and began her career there.
For more than 14 years, Emily has been an integral part of Grace Life Fellowship, serving as Youth Director and now the Family Ministries Director. She desires for families to flourish, and for kids to be loved and well cared for. She wants to be a voice that equips families to know what their options are in the education of their children, and for kids to want to stay in Baton Rouge, grow up well educated, and raise their families here.
Emily’s commitment to both community and educational excellence is evident in her volunteer work. She has been a foster parent and worked with groups like Volunteers in Public Schools, Young Life, and Fostering Hope Louisiana. Currently, she is serving on the Parent Advocacy Committee at BASIS Baton Rouge-Materra.
Emily and her husband, Scott, are proud parents of three daughters: Ella, Amy, and Ann Virginia, all of whom attend a local charter school.
Emily is a lifelong resident of East Baton Rouge Parish, where she has built both her life and career around serving her community. She received her early education at local schools such as Chapel Trafton, now The Dunham School, and Sacred Heart, before graduating from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 2000. Emily then pursued higher education at Louisiana State University, graduating in 2004, and continued her studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. Emily grew up attending First Presbyterian Church and began her career there.
For more than 14 years, Emily has been an integral part of Grace Life Fellowship, serving as Youth Director and now the Family Ministries Director. She desires for families to flourish, and for kids to be loved and well cared for. She wants to be a voice that equips families to know what their options are in the education of their children, and for kids to want to stay in Baton Rouge, grow up well educated, and raise their families here.
Emily’s commitment to both community and educational excellence is evident in her volunteer work. She has been a foster parent and worked with groups like Volunteers in Public Schools, Young Life, and Fostering Hope Louisiana. Currently, she is serving on the Parent Advocacy Committee at BASIS Baton Rouge-Materra.
Emily and her husband, Scott, are proud parents of three daughters: Ella, Amy, and Ann Virginia, all of whom attend a local charter school.
Patrick Martin is an attorney and university administrator who has dedicated his career to public service. Martin developed a passion for improving access to education across the state and the community while serving as a lawyer in the administration of former Gov. Mike Foster. Martin also serves on the board of AMIKids-Baton Rouge, which provides workforce training and other support services to young people at high risk of entering the juvenile justice system.
Martin has an undergraduate (1989) and a law degree (1993) from LSU, where he works as assistant vice president for real estate, public partnerships and compliance. In that role, he is responsible for all real estate and public-private partnerships (P3s) for LSU throughout the state and for educating university stakeholders and others in the Baton Rouge and higher education communities about the potential benefits and risks of real estate and P3 developments.
Martin lives in Baton Rouge with his wife, Wendy, stepson Raymond, and daughter Mia. Mia is a student at BASIS Baton Rouge-Materra, a public charter school.
Patrick Martin is an attorney and university administrator who has dedicated his career to public service. Martin developed a passion for improving access to education across the state and the community while serving as a lawyer in the administration of former Gov. Mike Foster. Martin also serves on the board of AMIKids-Baton Rouge, which provides workforce training and other support services to young people at high risk of entering the juvenile justice system.
Martin has an undergraduate (1989) and a law degree (1993) from LSU, where he works as assistant vice president for real estate, public partnerships and compliance. In that role, he is responsible for all real estate and public-private partnerships (P3s) for LSU throughout the state and for educating university stakeholders and others in the Baton Rouge and higher education communities about the potential benefits and risks of real estate and P3 developments.
Martin lives in Baton Rouge with his wife, Wendy, stepson Raymond, and daughter Mia. Mia is a student at BASIS Baton Rouge-Materra, a public charter school.