By an overwhelming margin of 78-20 The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill by Rep. Steve Carter of Baton Rouge that would bring the issue of school board term limits to a vote in each parish. By an overwhelming margin of 78-20 The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill by Rep. Steve Carter of Baton Rouge that would bring the issue of school board term limits to a vote in each parish. If approved, board members would be limited to three consecutive four-year terms. Currently, Jefferson and Lafayette Parishes are the only two districts with self-imposed term limits on its school board members.
Gannett's Mike Hasten reports on how Rep. Rickey Hardy helped lead the charge against an amendment by Baton Rouge state Rep. Rosalind Jones that would have put the vote for term limits in the hands of the school boards themselves, rather than the public. From Gannett:
"Do you think local school board will do that?" Hardy asked Jones during debate.
"Didn't you pass term limits on your board?" she asked.
"Not every school board has a Rickey Hardy," he answered.
"Thank goodness," Jones retorted, sparking laughter.
Jones' amendment was voted down 65-29.