What happens in Louisiana is definitely different from what happens anywhere else.
It is not Louisiana culture, which is definitely unique. It seems to be something about John White, who is not a native. With the support of Governor Jindal and the state board of education controlled by Jindal, John White answers to no one.
When there are no checks or balances, as we have learned again and again, strange things happen.
Read here about the deputy who came and went in five months. I hope we learn more about the back story.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
They had to have had the plan for the destruction of the New Orleans Schools on the table just waiting for something like Katrina to happen. There is no way that within a week of the hurricane that they had a complete plan to put into place. Planned destruction is what it was and is.
the article used a well suited adjective for the Broad reformers in Louisiana…carpetbaggers!