The First 100 Days

As Jefferson Parish Public School System’s new Superintendent, Cade Brumley has visited over 20 schools, implemented a new, consistent curriculum across Jefferson Parish and has conducted interviews with teachers and students alike to create a community and data backed plan to make Jefferson Parish schools thrive. All of this in his first 39 days.

Prior to his role as Jefferson Parish School Board’s Superintendent, Brumley was the Superintendent for the Desoto Parish School Board. Under Brumley’s direction, the Desoto school system’s state ranking in academic performance improved from 49 out of 70 systems in 2010, to 9 today. During this time, the graduation rate increased from 70% to around 95%. Additionally, Desoto had the largest ACT score improvement in the state in 2016. 

Since his induction into the JPSB, Brumley has hit the ground running. He has been collecting and absorbing critical data as part of his 100 day entry plan he calls “Love to Learn; Learn to Lead.” This plan outlines the data, statistics and individual testimonials that Brumley needs to make informed and innovative plans to lead Jefferson Parish schools into the future. 

“The work in Jefferson Parish is the most important in the State of Louisiana right now,” expressed Brumley. “That’s why I’m here. We have the largest school system in the state and so much opportunity to improve. So far, from the data I’ve been collecting, patterns are emerging of where the system is succeeding and where growth is needed.” 

Another area of growth that Brumley is passionate about is teacher pay and retention. Currently, about 30% of veteran teachers and 40% of first year teachers are leaving Jefferson Parish; mostly to other school districts with better pay. 

“The rubber meets the road with the classroom teachers,” said Brumley. “So we have to make sure we are recruiting and retaining the best; and pay is a big part of that alongside strong leadership and professional development. To ensure this, the school system must have a clear strategy: it must cultivate talent and it must engage the community for support.”

A clear strategy is exactly why the JPSB sought Brumley’s professionalism. Even before starting at his role as superintendent, he brought to the table a set of five commitments:

• Create a transformation zone to provide extra resources and support to 

the schools with the highest needs.

• Implement a student advisory council that will inform him from the 

student perspective.

• Engage with data collected by an educator’s compensation working group.

• Establish a graduate profile defining the skills and competencies every 

student should hold upon graduation.

• Perform an external review of the system budget to review inefficiencies 

in the use of financial resources.

“Beyond these five commitments, I’m already developing additional plans based on stakeholder feedback,” added Brumley. “I’m really optimistic about the future of the school system and truly believe that the best is yet to come for Jefferson Parish.”

Brumley, a Louisiana native, is married with two sons, teaches Sunday school and is a deacon at Brookwood Church in Shreveport.  •