BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer for the Advocate

Mar 12, 2024

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has hired a “special master” to ride herd over the East Baton Rouge Parish’s special education division after receiving a series of detailed complaints from parents outlining recurring problems.

It appears to be the first time the state has taken the unusual step.

The person Brumley has tapped for the job is Roxane West, a veteran north Louisiana educator who has previously worked with the state to mentor aspiring special ed leaders.

Among other jobs, West served as director of the special ed department in DeSoto Parish after Brumley served as that parish’s superintendent. Brumley said the two met only after he was picked in May 2020 to lead the Louisiana Department of Education.

“Roxane is highly credentialed, very capable and well respected,” Brumley said. “Her job will be to support EBR while working to improve their practices.”

Brumley said he’s not aware of his agency ever appointing a special master before to compel compliance with state and federal special education laws, but he said the situation in East Baton Rouge is serious enough to justify the move.

Meredith Jordan, executive director of diverse learners for the state, said the complaints from parents are from the current school year and suggest “systemic” issues. Hiring a special master will allow the state to go beyond its normal regulatory approach.

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