Louisiana Chief Justice John Weimer Swears in BESE Leadership, Commends Collaboration on Truancy Prevention - Press Release

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Louisiana Chief Justice John Weimer Swears in BESE Leadership, Commends Collaboration on Truancy Prevention 
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<div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;background-color:#428bca;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#428bca" height="21" valign="middle" width="100%"><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2026 Press Releases</span></strong> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table style="width:100%;text-align:center;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="82" style="text-align:left;width:71px;">CONTACT:&nbsp;</td><td width="253" style="text-align:left;width:1039px;">Kevin Litten<br />504-310-2592</td></tr></tbody></table><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;border-spacing:3px;background-color:#f7ebc6;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="38%" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:#212073;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>January 28, 2026</strong></span></td><td width="62%"><p align="right"><span style="color:#212073;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></span> </p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>LOUISIANA CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN WEIMER SWEARS IN BESE LEADERSHIP, COMMENDS COLLABORATION ON TRUANCY PREVENTION </strong></p><p><strong>New Orelans, La. - </strong>On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer swore in Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) President Simone Champagne, Vice President Kevin Berken, Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Sharon Latten-Clark and new BESE 1st District member Joseph Cao.</p><p>In his <a href="https://youtu.be/-2aG2XjSjkI?t=447" target="_blank">remarks</a> before the swearing-in, Chief Justice Weimer commended BESE for its work to prevent and reduce truancy in Louisiana, especially through BESE&rsquo;s Truancy Study Group and the <a href="/Press_Release?p=2025-10">2025 Solutions Summit</a> held in September in Alexandria, Louisiana. That work has resulted in &ldquo;ongoing coordination and consistent messaging&rdquo; with Louisiana&rsquo;s highest court that will continue into 2026.</p><p>&ldquo;Truancy prevention is about supporting children, strengthening families, and improving outcomes across systems,&rdquo; Chief Justice Weimer said. &ldquo;The Judiciary remains committed to collaborative efforts that emphasize prevention, accountability, and shared responsibility. When education leaders, the courts, and policymakers work together for Louisiana's children, Louisiana families benefit. Let us continue our collaboration.&rdquo;</p><p>In addition to BESE&rsquo;s Truancy Study Group, Chief Justice Weimer led the formation of the judiciary&rsquo;s Truancy Task Force, which participated in a cross-leadership team formed with the Louisiana Supreme Court Families in Need of Service Assistance Program (FINS-AP), members of the state Judiciary, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), and the Louisiana Children&rsquo;s Cabinet. The Truancy Task Force spearheaded by FINS-AP also planned the 2025 Solutions Summit, which drew over 400 participants from nearly every parish in the state.</p><p>After the Summit, elected officials and Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley co-signed a statewide letter encouraging participation in Children and Youth Planning Boards to turn shared ideas into community-driven solutions. In addition to Dr. Brumley, the letter was signed by Governor Jeff Landry; BESE President Ronnie Morris; Senate President Cameron Henry; House Speaker Phillip DeVillier; Attorney General Liz Murrill, and Chief Justice Weimer.</p><p>In October, Chief Justice Weimer appointed retired juvenile Judge David N. Matlock to assist with the statewide truancy initiative. In this role, Matlock is serving as a liaison between the Judiciary, LDOE, and the Louisiana Children&rsquo;s Cabinet. Judge Matlock created the first truancy abatement court in Shreveport and has been touring the state to assess needs and develop a plan to increase the number of Families In Need of Services Intake Officers, who are instrumental in addressing truancy issues.</p><p>Chief Justice Weimer also continues to promote the &ldquo;Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom&rdquo; initiative, which connects K-12 students with judges in their communities to improve their understanding of the law and the judiciary. Over 10,000 students have participated in this program.&nbsp; During their interactions with students and discussions about the judicial branch of government, state judges stress the importance of school attendance.</p><p><strong>For more information visit <a href="/">lasc.org</a> or contact Louisiana Supreme Court Public Information Specialist, Community Relations, Kevin Litten at <a href="mailto:klitten@lasc.org">klitten@lasc.org</a>.</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>-30-</strong></p><link rel="stylesheet" href="/press_room/press_releases/2025/images/2025-11_picgrid.css" /><div class="picgrid"><div><p><img src="/press_room/press_releases/2026/images/2026-02_BESE.jpg" alt="From left, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Sharon Latten-Clark, Vice President Kevin Berken and President Simone Champagne pose with Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John L. Weimer during their swearing-in on January 14, 2026, in Baton Rouge." /><br />From left, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Sharon Latten-Clark, Vice President Kevin Berken and&nbsp; President Simone Champagne pose with Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John L. Weimer during their swearing-in on January 14, 2026, in Baton Rouge. </p></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p>
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