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With an 8-3 vote from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education earlier today, former DeSoto Parish schools Superintendent Cade Brumley has been officially named as the new Superintendent of Education for the State of Louisiana. Brumley, Jessica Baghian and Lonnie Luce were nominated by the board and were finalists for the position.

“As a Louisiana native, I am extremely honored to be selected by a student-friendly BESE,” said Dr. Brumley. “Louisiana may not be the largest state in the union but we have a big table for collaboration. I look forward to bringing people together to collectively move our state forward. We are primed for continued improvement, drawing on successes of the past and the promise for our future. I will fight for our children, families, and communities each day - they deserve our best.”

Brumley, a Sabine Parish native, left DeSoto Parish in 2018 to take a job leading Jefferson Parish schools. Brumley was in that position for just under 2 years. Longtime Superintendent of Education for the State, John White, announced he was leaving the post back in January. A nationwide search for his successor began immediately.

Brumley's educational views and plans have been well regarded across the state. Under Brumley's leadership, DeSoto Parish was one of the top performing school districts in the state. During his two years leading Jefferson Parish schools, the school district saw marked improvements.

According to the DeSoto school's website, here are a list of Brumley's accomplishments:

  • DeSoto labeled an "A” District by the Louisiana Department of Education.
  • DeSoto has vaulted to 9th in academic performance out of 70 districts.
  • All schools are “academically acceptable” (no failing schools).
  • DeSoto’s proficiency rates exceed state average for 1st time in history.
  • Significant decrease in suspensions.
  • Reduction in drop-out rates.
  • Graduation Rates are 96%, up 20 points in last 3 years.
  • Identification of Gifted and Talented Students has more than doubled.
  • Named "District of Distinction" from the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.
  • National Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll (2016 & 2017).
  • Largest ACT growth in State of Louisiana.
  • Top 10 District for improving Special Education academic outcomes.
  • Top 10 for improving academic outcomes for minority students.

You can get a feel for Brumley's plan as an educational leader in this video. Brumley joined Caddo Superintendent Lamar Goree and then Bossier Superintendent Scott Smith to discuss education, how they lead young people and what they do to make their message resonate with not only students but the community.

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