GOP candidates for a seat on the state BESE board debate education issues

May 11, 2026 - 22:03

Two Republican candidates vying for a seat on Louisiana's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education squared off in a debate this week, offering sharply different visions for the state's public schools. The forum, held in Baton Rouge, focused on key issues including school accountability, funding formulas, and the role of charter schools.

Candidate Mark Johnson, a former teacher, argued for a return to stricter accountability measures, saying that recent changes have made it harder to identify failing schools. He also pushed for more local control over curriculum decisions, criticizing what he called "one-size-fits-all mandates from the state." Johnson emphasized the need to boost vocational training programs to prepare students for the workforce.

His opponent, Laura Simmons, a businesswoman and parent of two public school students, took a different approach. She called for increased funding for early childhood education and expanded school choice options, including vouchers. Simmons argued that competition among schools drives improvement and that parents should have the final say on where their children are educated. She also voiced support for the current accountability system, saying it provides necessary transparency.

Both candidates agreed on the need to address teacher shortages and improve pay, but disagreed on how to fund those raises. The BESE seat covers a district that includes parts of East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. The primary election is scheduled for next month.