Voters in New Orleans have shaken up a divided school board by dumping incumbents allied against Superintendent Anthony S. Amato. Board President Cheryl Mills and Ellenese Brooks-Simms, who have both been vocal critics of Mr. Amato, were soundly defeated in the Sept. 18 primary election.
The two had publicly challenged Mr. Amato, whom they accused of spearheading state legislation passed in June limiting the board’s authority. They called an unexpected meeting last spring to evaluate the superintendent’s performance, while Mr. Amato was out of town, that was viewed as a move toward ousting the superintendent.
Supporters of the 80,000-student district’s superintendent went to federal court to successfully block the move. (“Power Play Over New Orleans Schools Involved Large Cast,” July 14, 2004)
Another critic of Mr. Amato, Carolyn Green Ford, did not seek re-election, and member Gail Glapion retired.
The changes mean that the seven-member board will have at least four new faces after the Nov. 2 general election.
