Message from the School Board President: August 8, 2006

School Board members and retired employees will breathe a collective sigh of relief that Governor Kathleen Blanco signed an executive order this week authorizing the $6.5 million health care premium supplement to be deposited in the school district’s bank account.  You may recall that the legislature, under the leadership of State Senator Edwin Murray provided the funding to offer some relief to retired school board employees burdened with expensive health care premiums.

Members of the school district’s Department of Human Resources will meet with a focus group of retirees this week to discuss the process for implementing the premium reduction mechanism.  The proposed plan is to reduce all retiree premiums effective with the September 1, 2006 invoices.  The amount will depend on the number of retirees who ultimately remain in our plan for the upcoming plan year (September 1, 2006 - August 31, 2007).

Employees will be notified on this web site and also by personal letter.  A hot line phone number will be available for questions.  Please watch for the announcement.

You may have heard that the long time school system leader, Darryl Kilbert has accepted the position of Acting School Superintendent.  This news was met with much excitement and enthusiasm by employees and the community.   School Board members welcome him and look forward with promise to his effective leadership as he guides our children to a productive and successful school year.

Also appointed School Chief Financial Officer was Stan Smith, a long time Algiers resident and well - qualified accountant.  Smith will work with Alvarez and Marsal as they transition out of the district in December, and will assume the role full time at that period.

The other good news is that the bell will ring for opening school at 8:30 on Tuesday August 15.  New Orleans School district schools and charters will open that day.  Recovery district schools are scheduled to open September 7.  Algiers charters opened August 7.

A complete list of schools and their principals, as well as contact information is on this web page at NOPS Schools List.    We are anticipating a smooth and exciting opening day and a productive and quality school year.

Bulletin:  The School District is seeking a qualified Spanish language teacher and a Science and a Math coordinator.  Please contact the NOPS Human Resources Department (504) 304-4107 if you will be able to fill either of these positions.