Caddo Parish School Board Interviews New Superintendent Candidate
In Shreveport, excitement and curiosity filled the air on Wednesday, September 11, as the Caddo Parish School Board held a special meeting to interview the sole candidate for the position of superintendent, Keith Burton. This pivotal moment comes after former superintendent, Dr. T. Lamar Goree, announced he would be transitioning to lead the Duncanville Independent School District starting in the 2024-2025 school year, creating a wave of changes in the local educational landscape.
The Search Process
The journey to find Burton began when the school board engaged McPherson & Jacobson LLC, a search firm, which presented six finalists for consideration. The lineup included notable educators like Justin Hunter, Nia Campbell, Fateama Fulmore, Thomas Rogers, and Cheryl Proctor. However, after a thorough evaluation process, the board decided to focus solely on Keith Burton. In a vote on August 27, the board backed Burton as the top candidate with a score of 58, significantly ahead of his fellow competitors: Hunter received 4, Campbell 20, Fulmore 21, Rogers 26, and Proctor 32.
Community Engagement
“I’m just taken back by the process here.” Former city councilman Willie Bradford highlighted the importance of transparency after the board’s investment of $75,000 in the search, demanding respect for public opinions. City Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor added, “reconsider this process.” With emotions running high, a request to postpone the interview was brought to the table but ultimately failed in a tie.
Interview Time
The meeting took a short recess, then reassembled for what many were waiting for: Burton’s interview. At around 11 a.m., he joined the board at the horseshoe, ready to tackle a series of questions that delved deep into what he envisions for the school district.
Burton’s Vision
Among the questions posed to him were topics such as funding allocations in schools facing disparities and his connection to Caddo Parish. Burton passionately responded, stating, “I’m the epitome of someone that has skin in the game,” emphasizing his 33 years of experience in the Caddo Parish school system.
Burton’s journey began 11 years ago when he was appointed by Dr. Goree to serve as the Chief Academic Officer. Before that, he wore multiple hats as a teacher and principal. In his role as Chief Academic Officer, he made transformative changes including elevating supervisors to specialists to foster a more supportive environment for teachers. He noted, “If we from central office are going into schools and supporting teachers, we don’t need someone else telling the teacher what they’re doing wrong.”
Innovative Approaches
Burton expressed his dedication to innovation and expressed a willingness to challenge conventional practices in the district. “I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo,” he emphasized, highlighting his track record of bringing fresh ideas to the school district. One of his proudest achievements holds the distinction of introducing the first teaching academy in the region.
As the meeting concluded, Burton assured the board members and the community that he would lead with courage. “I will be courageous,” he stated, leaving an impression of a leader ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Caddo Parish schools.
The community is invited to watch the full interview process, revealing more about Burton’s vision and plans for the future of education in the area, on the Caddo Parish Public Schools YouTube channel.
