Orleans Parish School Board

This State of the District Address by Nola Public Schools outlines the district's strategic direction through its 'Anola PS Evolve' plan, focusing on 'our plan, our performance, our portfolio, our people, and our path forward'. Key priorities include enhancing early childhood education through improved application processes and audit accuracy, and strengthening K12 enrollment. Significant progress has been made in supporting students with disabilities, achieving parity with state averages, and expanding services for English learners. The plan also emphasizes maintaining high-quality facilities through multi-million dollar capital improvement projects and fostering student leadership and engagement with a goal for 75% of students to access opportunities aligning with a 'portrait of a graduate' by June 2028. The district celebrates its B-rating, with numerous schools showing performance growth and letter grade improvements, while also working to boost employee engagement. The overarching vision is to lead the nation in academic growth and establish Nola Public Schools as the premier choice for education in New Orleans.

The Board engaged in a strategic discussion regarding the feasibility and sustainability of the district's portfolio, with a focus on the Leah Chase school. Key topics included the importance of maintaining consistent decision-making, ensuring equitable portfolio management, and addressing enrollment trends. The discussion highlighted the need for better branding and communication regarding the school's status as a direct-run institution, alongside exploring strategies to improve enrollment and long-term viability.

The board held a special business meeting to facilitate a discussion regarding the Leah Chase School and broader educational matters in New Orleans. The session included the appointment of a facilitator to guide the board through these topics. Additionally, standard meeting protocols were established, including public comment rules and the formal adoption of the meeting agenda.

The committee meeting addressed financial updates, including November financial statements and audit progress. Key discussion topics included enrollment counts, future per-pupil funding projections, the district-level funding allocation formula, plans for financial education sessions for school leaders, and the upcoming procurement vendor fair. The committee also moved to approve a change order for the BAS and valve replacement project at Joseph A. Craig School.

The board convened to discuss and take action on a settlement proposal regarding the Orleans Parish School Board versus the City of New Orleans litigation. Following an executive session to review legal updates, the board held a public comment session where community members and school representatives expressed concerns regarding the impact of administrative fees on school funding and classroom resources. Ultimately, the board approved a motion to reject the city's initial settlement proposal and authorize further settlement authority as recommended by legal counsel.