L aMont Cole is leading a bold new chapter for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Since becoming superintendent in July 2024, he has brought a sense of momentum and purpose to the district, championing changes that place stu- dents and educators at the heart of every decision. Under his leadership, the district is already seeing historic academic gains. East Baton Rouge Schools reached its highest District Perfor- mance Score ever at 72.4, with 88% of direct-run schools improving their scores. Notably, 96% of schools earned an A, B, or C in progress, reflecting strong growth across the system. For the first time in district history, the Strength of Diploma score also earned an A. These mile- stones signal a school system on the rise and a community benefiting from focused, strategic leadership. At the center of his vision is a comprehensive realignment plan that is reshaping how the district serves families. Rather than simply consolidating campuses, Superintendent Cole has used this moment to strengthen academic pathways, focus resources where they can make the greatest impact, and create a more intentional structure for long- term success. The result is a district that is better positioned to grow, innovate, and meet the needs of its students. His vision for high schools is equally ambitious. With the approval of a $40 million bond, the district is modernizing facilities, refreshing classrooms, and enhancing the overall learning experience. These updates are designed to match the aspirations of students and prepare them for a rapidly evolving world. Superintendent Cole is also evaluating the impact of sleep on learning. By piloting new start times at selected campuses, he is exploring re- search-based schedules that support stronger academic performance, improved attendance, and healthier routines for students. He has kept educators at the forefront as well. Securing a district-wide stipend was an important step in his ongoing effort to strengthen teacher pay and recognize the educators and support staff who make student achieve- ment possible. His team is actively exploring options to implement a permanent pay increase. This momentum is clearly reflected in the district’s accelerating aca- demic growth. The record-high performance score, the sweeping im- provements across direct-run schools, and the first-ever A in Strength of Diploma all point to a system changing in real time. This evidence shows that the strategies put in place are not only taking hold but ele- vating what students can achieve across East Baton Rouge Parish. With a steady hand and an optimistic outlook, LaMont Cole is guiding East Baton Rouge Schools into a future defined by opportunity, prog- ress, and pride.
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Faces & Places ® | Winter 2026 21
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