225BatonRouge.com

Vote FOR term limits for local elected officials

The group A6 gathered 18,000 signatures on petitions to force the Metro Council to let you vote on altering the plan of government for East Baton Rouge Parish. After nearly three years, the day when you can have your say finally arrives Sept. 30.

We support limiting local elected officials on boards and commissions to eight years, or two terms, in public office, and we encourage you to vote for this amendment.

Passing the amendment will send a message to the Metro Council they better get in line with what Baton Rougeans want, or they will pay for it in the next election.

School board elections fail to inspire

The current elections for school board are a sad and troubling commentary on the public’s lack of interest in our East Baton Rouge Parish school system.

Five school board incumbents had no opposition. And, in the three open seats, only five candidates qualified—one was elected without opposition.

The fact was there simply weren’t enough candidates even when there was no incumbent. Folks were simply not interested. Rather than pat themselves on the back for a job well done, incumbents should realize their challenge is not only saving the local system from despair but re-energizing the public, so more people are engaged and will support the system.

The Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, whose job is to attract new talent and employers to the area, is lucky its focus is regional. It can still sell Zachary (the state’s top system), West Feliciana (No. 3), Livingston (No. 4), Ascension (No. 10) and even West Baton Rouge (No. 29). All are much higher than the East Baton Rouge system, which ranks 56th. And, the city also a number of private schools that have received national distinction.

To be fair, there are some bright spots. Baton Rouge Magnet High School has also been recognized nationally and has the highest number of National Merit Finalists in the city. And, Sherry Brock, principal at Westdale Middle School, was one of three finalists for national principal of the year. Unfortunately, these are the exceptions.

But with the same old leadership running the local school system, it seems little will change, especially with so many voters saying, “Who cares?”