New Orleans Public Schools | Our Job is Building the Future
Message from the School Board President: November 15, 2006
It has been two years since our current Orleans Parish School Board took office, but we are still labeled by the Times Picayune for the sins of previous boards and administrations and criticized at every turn in the road. It is quite discouraging to be working so hard to help rebuild a school system and to be continually knocked down.
The Orleans Parish School Board has many success stories. We have opened schools and those schools are running smoothly. We are getting our financial house in order – we have hired a new Chief Financial Officer, a new head of IT, and filled a number of other positions with top flight people. And we have a new Acting Superintendent who is doing a terrific job.
In the aftermath of Katrina, the school administration moved six times because the main office had been destroyed. Records had to be recovered, computer systems had to be restored, teachers had to be hired or their records transferred to other districts so they could work. Three members of the Board lost their homes and businesses, as did the Superintendent and most of the workers who showed up to help restart the system.
The seventeen schools that the state left in our control were the first to open, are fully staffed, all have had books and serve hot lunches. Our teachers have had hundreds of hours of professional development; they have been paid on time.
After years of financial chaos, fraud and waste, our system is very near receiving a clean audit, has the support of the state in our operations and most importantly is educating 10,000 children. We are collaborating with the Recovery District and the state in laying the foundation of a better school system.
The Times Picayune can help by supporting our accomplishments and joining in our efforts. It takes a city to build a quality school system, and it takes positive leaders to make it happen.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Landrieu
President
