(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish School Board held its first meeting since completing its superintendent search which generated a lawsuit.
Mary Nash Robinson, the former chief of staff and interim superintendent of Caddo Schools, addressed the hiring process that caused several community groups to a file a lawsuit.
A hearing was held on Tuesday and the judge in the case, Caddo Parish District Court Judge Brady O’Callaghan, said a decision on the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction that would stop the district from hiring Keith Burton, the district’s chief academic officer, would be released on Monday.
The board interviewed Burton, the lone remaining and only white candidate, on Sept. 11.
After praising several members of the board, Robinson started her comments, “And to the host of people who have called and asked why I’ve been so quiet. Again, I’m quiet because I know how this works.”
Robinson went on to address the reason why the lawsuit was filed.
“Surely we hoped that M&J [McPherson & Jacobson] would present a minimum of two and three applicants to be interviewed. That would’ve avoided the dismay that you’ve heard from many,” Robinson said.
The plaintiffs insisted that because the defendants interviewed only one of six superintendent finalists, the lone interviewee for all practical purposes will be the de facto choice for the job. The petitioners say they have right to claim the search firm, M&J, did not follow critical steps in the recruitment process as it relates to a diverse candidate pool.
“If it had been different, would’ve been evidence that the considerations of the public were merited. But again, I know how this works,” Robinson added.
Despite her opening remarks, Robinson rounded out her speech by talking up Burton and saying he was the strongest of the M&J slate of candidates.
“We are not in a bad place. For the lone applicant, he can do the work,” Robinson said.
Robinson also encouraged everyone to move on but continue to hold the superintendent and the members of the board to a high standard.
The board did not respond to her comments. Other speakers throughout the meeting spoke about the lone remaining candidate without any response from board members.
