BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Superintendent LaMont Cole addresses the need to keep schools safe, hard decisions that have to be made, and future plans at the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge on Tuesday as part of his first 100 days. "It's not easy closing a school when children are learning, but it's even harder for me to walk in a building and feel like the building is not acceptable for my own children," said Cole in regards to the closure of J.K Haynes Elementary that was voted in the last school board meeting. Cole said recruiting educators has been an issue in Baton Rouge but he has a plan to address the problem. "One of the things we're going to ask the state to do is to develop our own teacher development program so that we can recruit people who want to teach, bring them in and then get them certified," he said. He's also had to stand against gun violence, especially after an East Baton Rouge student lost their life at a drive-by shooting in Scotlandville. "What are we going to do so we don't lose another deal in Daniels and the way that we lost him?" he asked. "These are our children and we have a responsibility to take care of them, it starts in our schools." Cole said after Daniels' death, his mission is to work with the community to make a safer Baton Rouge. "What are we going to do to make sure our children feel safe and are safe and can go to school and be educated from birth to 16 years?" he asked the room filled with guests. Although it's been challenging, Cole said he will continue to lead this school system and more work is to come. He said next year a big focus will be releasing a strategic plan that will include future goals and getting feedback from the community. Latest News East Baton Rouge Superintendent LaMont Cole gives insight on his 'first 100 days' Five Below’s ‘cozy season’ merch is selling fast New Orleans Saints have yet to rule Derek Carr out for Sunday Louisiana congressman Clay Higgins writes about Donald Trump's assassination attempt 2025 LSU football schedule released, eight SEC matchups this season