Bermuda’s former Education Commissioner Edmond Heatley has missed out on the schools superintendent post in New Orleans.

Dr Heatley was one of two finalists for the US job, but the Orleans Parish Schools Board failed to approve either of them.

Instead the Board will have to go back to the drawing board on how to proceed.

Dr Heatley stepped down from his role in Bermuda following controversy over his interest in the US role.

The former US Marine assumed the position of Education Commissioner last September but interviewed for the job of Orleans Parish schools superintendent while in post last December.

The US educator was among a handful of finalists for the New Orleans job, but withdrew his name from consideration in March in the midst of a political firestorm here in Bermuda.

However, he resigned as Education Commissioner in Bermuda in April and restated his interest in the New Orleans position.

The decision not to appoint Dr Heatley or the other finalist, Kriner Cash, was made on Tuesday night.

A report on the website NOLA.com yesterday stated: “More than two years later, the Orleans Parish School Board is back where it started in its search for a permanent superintendent. The board failed to approve either of its remaining finalists Tuesday.”

The article continued: “Four members were able to agree on Kriner Cash, the former Memphis superintendent: Cade, Ellison, Marshall and Thomas. Cade and Ellison changed their vote after initially choosing Edmond Heatley, once the top executive in several California districts and Bermuda.

“But Bloom, Woody Koppel and Sarah Usdin stood firm in their refusal to proceed with either.

“The board requires a five-vote super-majority to hire or fire a superintendent. Five yes votes Tuesday would not have hired a candidate but brought him in for contract negotiations and public meetings.”

The report added: “However, concerns had arisen about both men. Heatley, a former military man, applied for the New Orleans job after less than six months in Bermuda; after an uproar, he resigned.”