By: Prentiss Smith • Contributing Columnist

The recent appointment of Keith Burton as the new Superintendent of Caddo Parish Schools has been the subject of much debate and controversy---some of it justified, much of it not. The process departed from what many expected, raising questions about the school board's methods and decisions.

And while the process might have been flawed, what's most pressing is the condition of our schools—too many of them are labeled D and F schools. That, more than anything else, demands our attention.

The previous Superintendent left a significant amount of unfinished business, and while the selection of a new leader is crucial, the real issue at hand is the future of Caddo Parish schools. The needs of our children, teachers, and schools must come first.

No matter how contentious the process was, the goal should be to lift our district from mediocrity and address the glaring disparities in academic performance. That's a challenge Mr. Burton now faces head-on, and I don’t envy him for the task he has ahead.

There’s no doubt that Mr. Burton's selection surprised some, especially given the fact that he was chosen over candidates who appeared, on paper, to be more qualified. In the final stretch of the selection process, it became apparent that Burton, the only local finalist, was favored not because of an advanced degree or an outside perspective, but because he was from here.

And maybe that’s not such a bad thing, at least from my perspective, and obviously members of the school board felt that way as well.

As someone who previously argued that the board shouldn’t spend thousands of dollars on national headhunters, it seems they eventually realized that the answer may have been closer to home all along. Caddo Parish needed someone who understands the system from within—someone rooted in the local education culture. Keith Burton was just that person.

A lifelong educator, Mr. Burton brings a wealth of experience from his decades-long career in the district. He’s been a principal at various schools, including Caddo Middle Magnet, where he enjoyed notable success. He knows the ins and outs of our schools, and what he may lack in degrees or outside accolades, he more than makes up for with hands-on experience and dedication.

But Mr. Burton’s qualifications run deeper than just his work history. Education runs in his family. His wife is an educator, and all three of their children have followed in their parents' footsteps. His mother was a teacher, and his grandmother drove a school bus. Education isn’t just a job for Keith Burton; it’s a calling that’s in his blood.

I’ve had the privilege of interacting with Keith Burton, and I can vouch for his character. He’s been nothing but accessible to me, and to anyone who has needed his time. I know he cares deeply about all our children, regardless of their background.

As local business leader Roy Griggs noted, Burton is committed to every student, regardless of race or circumstance. He’s dedicated to ensuring they can succeed, which is the true measure of an effective superintendent.

So, while the process might not have unfolded the way many expected, and while it’s easy to get bogged down in discussions about qualifications and procedures, the bigger picture is what matters most.

Caddo Parish needs leadership that’s committed to turning around our schools and ensuring our students are prepared for the future.

In Keith Burton, we might have found just that. Now, we must rally behind him as he tackles the real work ahead: improving our schools, raising academic standards, and finishing the unfinished business of giving every child in Caddo Parish the education they deserve.

We all must remember that in the end, it is about the children—period, full stop. And that’s my take. smithpren@aol.com