BESE challenger claims education position

Running on the campaign that existing public education officials have failed to make the grade, Lottie Polozola Beebe ousted 19-year incumbent Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Glenny Lee C. Buquet 68,065 to 53,900 and clenched 55.81 percent of the vote during Saturday’s primary election.

Representing 15 parishes, including Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne, Beebe, a Republican from Breaux Bridge said her win over Buquet, a Democrat from Houma, is indication that the public wants major changes in the policies set for public schools and the leadership involved.

“The first order of business for me and my colleagues on the BESE board is to select a state superintendent,” Beebe said. “I believe it is very critical that we select the right person because there is much criticism aimed at the public school system. If we want to correct those concerns then we have to start with someone that has a proven record of success and understanding.”

Beebe said that she opposes Gov. Bobby Jindal’s recommendation of John White. “He lacks the qualifications I’m looking for,” Beebe said. “He has not been in the trenches. I know they are counting the business model, but you have to have a deeper understanding of what [teachers] have to do in education. It shouldn’t be about politics.”

Among her concerns, Beebe said she would like to see the public educated in terms of what BESE is and how it is intended to be used for the betterment of public education.

“During my campaign, people would ask, ‘What is BESE? Is it something new?'” Beebe said. “It was created in 1974 and in 1975 the first meeting was held. I feel that BESE has failed in educating the public as to the role and responsibility. I would like to see the elected BESE board address that.”

Beebe said it is time to seriously look at the problems Louisiana has had in public education and address poor overall scores. “I’ve been to many debates and political forums,” she said. “We all recognize there are problems in education like the apathy, poverty, dysfunction and anger. But we need to tackle those issues to address the problem of school performance.”

The BESE member-elect endorses universal pre-K classes in Louisiana, but is selective when it comes to charter schools. She supports specialized schooling through the existing system, but opposes the establishment of charter schools operated by private business.

“If you want to fix education you need to have the resources in place and not just tout another system,” she said. “We have a responsibility to educate all children and that’s my mission.”