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The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has selected Leslie Brown, a member of the Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs leadership development program, as the district’s next superintendent. Brown is currently chief portfolio services officer for Broward County Public Schools in Florida, the nation’s sixth-largest district. She has spent three decades there, progressing from school leader to senior cabinet member. Brown has extensive experience guiding schools, and especially struggling ones, to better outcomes for students. Since she joined the leadership team, Broward County has reported significant academic achievement gains, including, among others, an increase in the number of A-rated schools, more students scoring proficient in key subject areas, and higher graduation rates.
“Leslie is an extraordinary leader who has made a profound difference for students in Broward County during her 30 years of service to the district,” said Chiefs for Change Board Member and Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie. “She has expanded access to our specialized schools and has implemented strategies to turn around underperforming campuses so that every child can receive a great education at a school that meets their unique needs. With her deep experience, uncompromising commitment to equity, and lifelong passion for serving students, I know Leslie will lead East Baton Rouge Parish through the challenges of COVID-19 and work to build a system that gives all children opportunities to succeed.”
With approximately 41,000 students, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is the second-largest district in Louisiana. Eighty-nine percent of students are people of color, and 81 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Brown was a member of the second cohort of the Future Chiefs program. Through the program, Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders from across the United States, identifies talented, diverse emerging leaders and integrates them into a community of practice. Future Chiefs receive coaching and mentorship from superintendents, commissioners, and education system CEOs and participate in a variety of other relevant learning opportunities.
“Both the people and places in East Baton Rouge have always played an important part in my life as my family has lived in East Baton Rouge for over forty years,” Brown said. “Over the past few months, I have met so many people who care deeply about the children of this parish. Just as I have done throughout my career in Broward County, I will work to ensure that every student here has excellent school options and their own path to a bright future. I look forward to serving this vibrant and diverse community as superintendent.”
To learn more about the Future Chiefs program, click here.
About Chiefs for Change
Chiefs for Change is a nonprofit, bipartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs dedicated to preparing all students for today’s world and tomorrow’s through deeply committed leadership. Chiefs for Change advocates for policies and practices that are making a difference today for students, and builds a pipeline of talented, diverse Future Chiefs ready to lead major school systems.