MONROE, La. – Louisiana’s top education board made history on Wednesday by electing an all-women leadership team for the first time in its 46-year history.
Educator Ashley Ellis, of Monroe, was elected to serve as secretary-treasurer for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board announced on Dec. 16, 2020.
“As a lifelong educator and current administrator, I am appreciative of my fellow Board members for electing and supporting leaders who have served time in the classroom, are deeply connected to students and educators, and who understand the policies and work we continue to move forward,” said Ellis. “My election to this position shows a desire to continue to elevate the voices and expertise of educators like myself and my colleagues, and for that I am extremely grateful.”
Joining Ellis as 2021 Board officers, are District 3 BESE member Sandy Holloway, who was elected president for the second time, and District 2 member Kira Orange Jones, who was elected vice president.
“I am honored, once again, to serve as BESE president and I am grateful to my fellow Board members for entrusting me to this position,” said Holloway. “It has been a privilege to represent our Board, educators, students and the families of Louisiana over the past year and through one of the most challenging school years our state has ever faced. I am encouraged to serve with two other amazing leaders on this all-women leadership team. I am looking forward to the exciting and valuable work ahead that we can all achieve together to further choice, accountability, and child-centered policies that support our students and families.”
“I am excited to be able to fulfill this exciting leadership role at a time when our students and families need our guidance and support through these unprecedented times,” said Orange Jones. “As one of the senior elected members of the Board, I hope to bring my experience and the trust I have built with my fellow members to double down on our efforts to address persistent gaps and inequities within our current education system. We know that we have work to do in our state if we hope to emerge as a leader in education. I believe in our students, our teachers, and our schools, and we are excited to move this vital work forward.”
BESE sets education policy for the more than 700,000 public school students across Louisiana. Among its responsibilities, the eleven-member board sets the overall education policy agenda for the State, acts as a major charter school authorizer, determines the funding formula, oversees education regulation, and selects and supervises the State Superintendent.
