By law, BESE can only appoint a state superintendent of education to serve through its term, which ends January 2008. At that time, Pastorek will have the opportunity to serve on a month-by-month basis until the newly elected board makes its own selection. As an advocate for quality public education, Pastorek served as chairman for the Recovery School District Advisory Committee, a 23- member committee comprised of state-level and community leaders who advised Cecil Picard] on current RSD school activities and the long-term plans for the rebuilding of public schools in Orleans Parish post- hurricane. "Under Cecil's leadership and this board's guidance for the last 11 years, the administrators and teachers in this state have made significant improvements in public education and in the lives of children," Pastorek said. "But we know that there is still much to do. We must work harder and smarter to close the achievement gaps. We must work harder and smarter to raise overall academic achievement."