LAE to BESE: Tell Pastorek to Resign

By WILL SENTELL Advocate Capitol News Bureau Published: Jul 25, 2009 - Page: 12A Comments (0) Officials of one of Louisiana’s two largest teacher unions Friday called for the resignation of state Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. “It has become apparent to us that Superintendent Pastorek has lost the trust of the education community, which includes school employees and elected boards of education,” LAE President Joyce Haynes said in a prepared statement. “It has also become clear that hiring a person who lacks any professional background in education has resulted in a failed experiment instead of meaningful education,” Haynes said. The group asked Gov. Bobby Jindal to demand Pastorek’s resignation. Pastorek and other superintendents are hired and fired by the 11-member state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Pastorek has held the position since March 2007. Asked for a response, the Governor’s Office issued this statement from Jindal: “The statement from the LAE is not constructive and will do nothing to improve the education system for our children. “We strongly support Paul Pastorek because he puts the students first and believes in reforming our education system.” Pastorek issued a prepared statement that said he was disappointed by the LAE’s call and that he will continue to reach out to the group. “And as long as I feel like I am effectively contributing to better outcomes for students, my plan is to remain in my role as state superintendent of education,” he said. Haynes did not return a call for comment on Friday. In 2007 the LAE endorsed two of Jindal’s Democratic rivals in the race for governor. In 2003 the union backed then gubernatorial contender Kathleen Blanco over Jindal, who is a Republican. Haynes said in her statement that Pastorek has shown he is unwilling to work with educators, legislators and others “to bring about meaningful education reform for the children of Louisiana.” She also criticized the superintendent’s support for failed legislation that would have trimmed the powers of local school boards.

 

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