Students question new superintendent

All eyes and ears were on Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard Thursday as he participated in a 15-hour media event. But the toughest questions didn’t come from reporters – they came from the people who will be affected most by changes made  to city schools.

“What can you do for students who feel displaced or out of place in their own schools?,” asked one student.

“(It has to do with) making the relationships, making it possible for adult-student relationships, and making sure that stays in tact,” Brizard responded during a morning question and answer session at Dr. Freddie Thomas High School.

Eager students lined up to ask their new leader of schools what will be done to improve programs, graduation rates, technology and even cafeteria food. All his responses were broadcasted live over local radio airwaves.

“It really is a way for me to hear what they have to say,” Brizard said. “We've heard the adults, now it's time for the kids to give their side."

Many students expressed concerns about city school teachers like Juanita Cowan, a senior at Freddie Thomas. She says she has had teachers who just haven't been encouraging.

“If they are, they're pushing too much,” she said. “So they're over doing it so kids are like ‘I'm going to give up, and I don't feel comfortable anymore’."

Brizard talked about plan after plan, but just 30 days into the job, he says some changes are taking time.

“Schools don't radically change overnight,” he said.

For those schools that are having troubles, students say they hope their insights will help future city school graduates.

“If i'm asking the questions and seeing how things are going to change, then my younger brother can have the same opportunities that I had,” Cowan said.

Brizard says he will take the students' questions and comments into consideration as he continues on with his 60-to-90 day entry plan.