BESE Debate on School Takeovers (2009)
Louisiana: The State We're In

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2009-01-16
Duration: 00:04:22
Subjects: Education | PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Louisiana. Department of Education | Louisiana. State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | East Baton Rouge Parish (La.). School Board. | Charter schools | School takeovers | Pastorek, Paul | Placide, Charlotte
Contributors:
- Whinham, Charlie Producer
- Woods, Virnado Photographer
- Pastorek, Paul Interviewee
- Placide, Charlotte Interviewee
- Givens, Louella Interviewee
- Roemer, Chas Interviewee
- Whinham, Charlie Host
- Sanford, Shauna Host
Description
This segment from the January 16, 2009, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Charlie Whinham’s report on a heated debate in the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) that resulted in the state taking over ten public schools, two in Shreveport and eight in Baton Rouge. During the debate, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek testifies that the state should take over these chronically failing schools and that they should become independently run charter schools. Charlotte Placide, the Superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Public Schools, argues that the parish has made improvements with the schools and that they should not be taken over. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford