[StBernard] Voters Want Change

[Westley Annis]

Dear Friends -

Louisianians sent a clear message in the elections this fall that they are
fed up with the status quo and failing schools.  Voters want to see more
change in our education system and that's why they elected a team of
reformers to our state education board.  

Our kids only grow up once and we can't just sit back and watch another
generation of our children drift through our school system, leaving them
unprepared for their future.

Folks who support the status quo have said the answer is more money and more
time, but Louisianians rejected that on election night. The bottom line is
that we can't continue to do the same old thing and expect different
results.

Our new team of reformers on the state education board know that we can't
continue to waste the billions of education dollars we invest every year on
the failed programs of the past that continue to give us poor outcomes. We
must invest in programs that get results and that means building on our past
reforms, including letter grades, dropout prevention, and school choice.  

We have already laid a strong foundation, but there's more work to do. We
need to give more choices to parents with kids trapped in failing schools,
reward good teachers and mentor poor performing teachers that want to
improve, and hold schools accountable for failing to educate our kids. 

Over the next several weeks, I'm going to visit schools around the state and
meet with parents, educators, legislators and policy leaders to see how best
to incorporate their ideas into a reform plan for the next legislative
session that will give our children the education they deserve.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving gives us
an opportunity to spend time with family and recharge before the new year
comes. Most importantly though, it's a time to reflect on where we have
been, where we are going, and the many blessings in our lives. 

Today, we are welcoming home the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion back
from Afghanistan.  It's great to have these Guardsmen home for Thanksgiving
and we should also keep the brave men and women of the military who are away
from their families this Thanksgiving in our thoughts and prayers. Supriya
and I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from our family to
yours. 

Sincerely,
 
Governor Bobby Jindal