Six candidates for Louisiana's next state superintendent of education remain from a field of 21 applicants after a round of interviews that focused on early childhood education, charter schools, college access, distance learning and the COVID-19 crisis.

The candidates, interviewed by video in early April, are vying for the position vacated by John White last month after eight years leading the Louisiana Department of Education. Beth Scioneaux is serving as acting state superintendent.

The Superintendent Search Work Group of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education conducted recorded video interviews with each candidate using a standardized list of questions based on the input of education stakeholders across the state, according to BESE.

"We expect they (board members) will deliberate and make a decision at the next BESE meeting, the date of which is still to be determined," said Kevin Calbert, communications manager for the board.

Jessica Baghian of Baton Rouge has been with the Louisiana Department of Education since 2011, moving from policy consultant and advisor to her current position of assistant superintendent of education.

As deputy chief of staff in 2012-14, she co-designed and implemented Louisiana letter grades for school accountability and guided the early childhood team through implementation of Act 3, which built a unified system of early childhood education, according to her resume.

"I have spent my entire career in service of the children in Louisiana, first as a teacher and then as a leader at the Department of Education," Baghian wrote in her application. "I bring to this role the experience, the relationships, the skills and the track record to lead our state forward on day one."

Cade Brumley is superintendent of the Jefferson Parish School System and originally from Converse in northwest Louisiana.

He has led Jefferson schools since 2018 after six years as superintendent of the DeSoto Parish School System, which advanced to an A-rated district under his leadership.

"I have served two decades to secure greater outcomes and opportunities for our state’s students, families, and communities," Brumley wrote in his application. "As a former teacher, coach, principal, and current Superintendent, I understand and appreciate the complexities faced in local schools systems – both traditional public and public charter."

DeSoto Parish School Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley at his office in Mansfield, Louisiana on Friday March 2, 2018.

DeSoto Parish School Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley at his office in Mansfield, Louisiana on Friday March 2, 2018. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith)

Lonnie Luce of Gonzalez has been executive director of Blended & Online School Solutions for the last year and superintendent for Charter Schools USA Louisiana for two years.

He also was superintendent of University View Academy online program from 2016-18 after nearly 10 years as superintendent of St. James Parish schools. He also served 30 years in the Louisiana National Guard Reserves.

"My education, school leadership experiences, and military experiences have prepared me and uniquely qualify me to become the next Louisiana Superintendent of Education," Luce wrote in his application.

Heather Poole of Alexandria has been executive vice chancellor of Central Louisiana Technical Community College and director of CLTCC Foundation since 2015.

Previously she was assistant vice chancellor for enrollment services at Louisiana State University of Alexandria for two years after 15 years in various roles at the Louisiana Board of Regents.

"I believe it is crucial that the Superintendent provides ongoing support to schools and school systems to assist them in the implementation of solutions that will accelerate progress," Poole wrote in her application. "And I believe that means getting out in the field to see, firsthand, the challenges faced by our schools."

Joe Siedlecki has been the association commissioner for school system support, innovation and charters for the Texas Education Agency in Austin since 2016.

Before that he spent nearly 10 years in multiple roles at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and a few years in the White House Office of Management and Budget.

"I created new teams from scratch, restructured existing teams to better serve districts, and implemented new performance management systems," Siedlecki said. "I have also worked across legislative chambers and interest groups to see through transformational policy initiatives."

Paul Vallas of Illinois was a senior consultant with the Bronner Group from 2014-19 and project director for the U.S. Department of Justice from 2016-17.

His connection to Louisiana is he was superintendent of the Recovery School District in New Orleans from 2007-11 after five years as chief executive officer for the School District of Philadelphia.

"I come to the job very familiar with the state of Louisiana and the challenges its schools and school districts are facing," Vallas wrote in his application. "While the state must and will continue its upward trajectory, more must be done to support local school efforts to close the persistent achievement gaps and to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education opportunities."

With the first round of interviews conducted, the Board of Elementary of Education then sought public feedback through an online survey April 14-24 on topics related to the superintendent search. The feedback will be reported according to participant BESE district and as a comprehensive report reflecting the responses statewide.

"At this point Board members are individually receiving and reviewing the final survey data, references and background materials of candidates," Calbert said.

According to BESE, the next superintendent's priorities will include: raising expectations for students; increasing access to quality childhood education; fostering and funding strategies to support persistently struggling schools; teacher training opportunities; and more.

The board is looking for "a dedicated, innovative and experienced leader," according to the job description.

"The next Superintendent must deepen the impact of Louisiana’s improvement efforts over the past two decades, support schools and school systems to implement solutions that will accelerate progress, and continue to raise expectations for performance to ensure the state’s more than 700,000 students are on track to college, career and life of their choosing," reads the description.