Making good so far in trying to correct the three pillars of Mitch Landrieu’s campaign for Mayor, the Mayor-elect announced the co-chairs of his education task force.   

In his campaign, Landrieu focused upon crime, jobs and education.  With today’s announcement Landrieu has named the co-chairs for those task forces.   

Landrieu named Andre Perry, an associate dean at the University of New Orleans and president of a local charter school network.  As co-chair, Landrieu named Sophie B. Wright Charter School Principal Sharon Clark.   

Though Landrieu will not have direct control over the school system, he said he will use the bully pulpit of the Mayor’s Office to improve education. 

“As Mayor, I will be a champion for education. I’ll fight for investments from Washington and Baton Rouge, so that every child has the opportunity to learn in a world-class facility. Maintaining the momentum that we’ve made in education in the last few years is critical. Every school needs to give kids an opportunity to learn. These schools must be accountable and set high standards,” said Landrieu.  

The Education Task Force will work over the transition period to identify strong partnerships and collaborations between city government, nonprofits, schools, students, teachers and parents to produce positive opportunities that create successful and productive youth. 

In addition, the group will suggest ways to address the educational achievement and resource gaps affecting young people. They will identify tools such as afterschool programs, classroom resources, and methods of truancy reduction that have an impact on students beyond the classroom. 

“We have two of the most respected and innovative education experts in the country right here in New Orleans, and I’m delighted to announce that Dr. Andre Perry and Ms. Sharon Clark have agreed to co-chair the Education Task Force,” said Landrieu.  

“There have been a number of progressive education models across the city, and now, under the leadership of Mayor-elect Landrieu, it is the time to take those best practices to every one of our schools,” said Andre Perry, Ph.D., associate dean of the University of New Orleans College of Education and Human Development and CEO of the Capital One-UNO Charter Network and co-chair of the Education Task Force. “I’m honored to have been chosen to participate in this endeavor. I’m confident that the highly-capable group assembled to take on this task is up to the challenge.” 

“I would like to commend Mayor-elect Landrieu for making education one of his top priorities. It truly takes a visionary leader to see that the way to move this city forward is by preparing tomorrow’s leaders,” said Sharon Clark, principal of Sophie B. Wright Middle School and co-chair of the Education Task Force. “I’m grateful to be part of this effort and to be surrounded by so many accomplished and capable colleagues.”           

The Education Task Force is comprised of the following individuals:  

Co-chairs:

Andre M. Perry, Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Development/CEO, Capital One-UNO Charter Network, University of New Orleans 

Sharon Clark, Principal, Sophie B. Wright Charter School 

Members: 

·        Jay Altman, CEO, Second Line Schools

·        Carol Asher, Board Director, Renew Charter Management Organization

·        Brod Bagert, Poet, Former New Orleans City Council Member

·        Brett Bonin, Member, Orleans Parish School Board – District 3

·        Hal Brown, Chairman, New Orleans College Preparatory

·        Larry Carter, President, United Teachers of New Orleans

·        Pat Cooper, CEO, Early Childhood & Family Learning Foundation

·        Aminisha Ferdinand, Teacher, KIDsmART

·        Tiffany Hardrick, Principal, Miller McCoy Academy

·        Freddy Kullman, Teacher, KIPP Believe College Prep

·        Phyllis Landrieu, Co-Founder and Development Consultant, Early Childhood & Family Learning Foundation

·        Diana Lewis, Civic Activist and Community Leader

·        Fr. Neal McDermott, Archdiocese of New Orleans

·        Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, Executive Director, Project GRAD New Orleans

·        Michael Molina, Storyteller

·        Kira Orange Jones, Executive Director, Teach for America – Greater New Orleans

·        Kathy Riedlinger, Principal and CEO, Lusher Charter School

·        Caroline Roemer, Executive Director, The LA Public Charter School Association

·        Toya Barnes-Teamer, Vice President for Student Success, Dillard University

·        Sarah Usdin, President and Founder, New Leaders for New Schools  

In a press conference segment focusing upon more general issues, Landrieu responded to a question whether Landrieu and Nagin have met personally and whether the Nagin administration has responded to Landrieu’s call for the current administration to not engage in certain activities such as letting contracts this late in his administration.  Landrieu said that thus far, Nagin has not returned a letter on the matter. 

Landrieu did say the Nagin administration was cooperating with the transition team.