On the final day of the second special session last week it went largely overlooked that Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law HB 887, despite appeals from the teachers unions to veto it.

It’s an independent move from a governor who has always been so closely linked to the groups.

The bill from Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, paves the way for a new charter called THRIVE Academy that will operate autonomously in Baton Rouge with oversight from the Legislature.

It passed the House and Senate during the regular session with overwhelming support.

Les Landon, spokesperson for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees, said opponents may have waited too late to lobby the bill.

“We believe it’s bad policy and will be monitoring it,” Landon said. “But we can’t fault the governor for signing something that had so much support.”