BESE committee moves to revoke multiple teaching authorizations but defers Marcia Hardy’s case pending AG opinion

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Educator Effectiveness Committee voted to revoke multiple teaching authorizations listed on the agenda, but it excluded the case of Marcia Hardy and deferred action on her recertification for up to six months pending an opinion from the Louisiana attorney general.

What happened: The committee moved to revoke items 4.2 through 4.18 en bloc pursuant to the board’s existing rule set (Bulletin 746, section 1909) and cited revised statute references in the motion. After public comment and discussion, the committee amended the motion to remove item 4.12 (Marcia Hardy) from the en bloc revocation and then voted to defer Ms. Hardy’s case for six months while awaiting further legal guidance.

Public comment and evidence presented: Evangeline (Evangeline) Parish Superintendent Darwin Lazard and Assistant Superintendent Michael Lambos addressed the committee in support of Ms. Hardy, describing her as an experienced teacher with strong evaluations and community support. ‘‘She has been a dedicated teacher in our parish for the past couple years and she’s certainly beloved at her school,’’ Lazard said. Lambos added that Ms. Hardy’s personnel record since the incident ‘‘has been stellar’’ and said she had earned advanced credentials and awards while teaching in multiple districts.

Marcia Hardy spoke briefly, describing her education and long experience teaching elementary grades and asking the committee to consider her record. ‘‘Whatever decision that you have made or you’re going to make today, the only thing that I have would be memories of all the students that I have impacted,’’ Hardy said.

Legal context presented to the committee: Angela Legru, assistant attorney general, told the committee an AG opinion had been requested to interpret Act 392 of the 2023 regular legislative session and related statutory changes and that review was pending. ‘‘As it stands right now, BESE’s policy section 1909 does state that all misdemeanor and felony convictions listed in [the statutory list] shall be referred to as prohibited convictions for which denial, suspension, and revocation is mandated,’’ she said, adding that the pending AG opinion would address statutory interpretation and whether discretionary relief is available.

Committee deliberations and motion outcomes: Committee members discussed options including revocation, deferral and the need for clarity on whether the statute allows discretionary exceptions or requires revocation. A substitute motion was made to revoke in globo for the listed items but accept item 4.12 (Hardy) for separate handling; that motion passed. The committee then voted to defer action on Ms. Hardy for six months to allow time for the attorney general’s opinion and for the board to determine whether rule changes or rule promulgation would be required before any reinstatement or appeal process could occur.

Practical effect: Pending revocation or any later action, Ms. Hardy remains in the classroom through the end of the school year; board members said they were mindful of the classroom disruption that would result from immediate removal. Board counsel and AG staff said rule changes, if needed, would take significant time (rule promulgation timelines were discussed as part of the committee’s deliberations).

What the board will do next: The committee recorded the en bloc revocations for the items other than Ms. Hardy and set a six-month administrative deferment for Ms. Hardy’s case while awaiting the AG opinion and determining whether additional rule-making is required. Board staff signaled they will notify affected parties of next steps once the AG opinion is received.