He acknowledges that, historically, the district spent too much time responding to criticism rather than proactively sharing its progress and successes. “We are being much more intentional about telling our story,” Cole explains. “As a result, we see the community viewing the school system very differently.” That shift has strengthened partnerships across business, industry, and government, reinforcing the view that student preparation directly influences workforce stability and regional growth. REALIGNMENT DECISIONS THAT REDIRECT RESOURCES TO STUDENTS One of the most consequential steps the district has taken is its realignment plan, which included the closure of nine underutilized schools. While difficult, the decision was driven by a commitment to direct resources where they would benefit students most. “The goal is always to put students first,” says Pamela Whitley, CEO of the Edgewood Group and consultant to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.“The district had buildings that were not fully populated and in need of significant investment.” Whitley chaired public meetings and worked closely with district leaders to integrate enrollment data, facility conditions, academic performance, and community feedback into the final plan. “We focused on combining students into better facilities where we could create higher quality learning environments,” she explains.“In some cases, we were able to expand educational capacity and strengthen early learning models.” That realignment enabled the district to invest more directly in instruction, including classrooms with two educators at the early grades, helping students build strong foundations from the start. STRENGTHENING THE TEACHER PIPELINE FROM WITHIN As teacher recruitment challenges persist nationwide, the district is taking a flexible and layered approach to staffing. 242 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02
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