Orleans Parish School Board

The traditional governance authority of public schools in New Orleans, the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) is represented by 7 districts, each of which has an elected board member who serves a 4 year term.  During the November 2005 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature, under Act 35, the state expanded its definition of a “failing” school and Louisiana's authority over such institutions  which forced OPSB to render authority of most its pubic schools.  Interestingly, these changes were only applied in Louisiana districts with more than 30 schools where 50 percent or more of its student population was enrolled in these "failing" schools, and Orleans Parish was the single district to meet this critieria.  After the legislation, the traditional district board was left with control of only 17 of the approximate 130 schools operating pre-Katrina.  All 17 schools are operating today. 

OPSB Superintendent is Darryl Kilbert.  Orleans Parish School Board elected representatives are Reverend Torrin Sanders, Board President, District 7; Heidi Lovett Daniels, Board Vice President, District 1; Cynthia Cade, Board Member, District 2; Jimmy Fahrenholtz, Board  Member, District 3; Lourdes Moran, Board Member, District 4; Phyllis Landrieu, Board Member, District 5; and Una Anderson, Board Member, District 6.  

 

Recovery School District

Under Act 35 of the November 2005 legislation, the state transferred governance of the remaining 112 schools that were operating pre-Katrina to the Recovery School District (RSD).  Additionally, the RSD was charged with opening and operating any new schools in New Orleans.  All existing 112 pre-Katrina and any new schools are to remain under RSD governance for an initial period of five years.  At the end of this period (2010), RSD schools will be transferred back to OPSB or the state will extend RSD’s control for another five years (2015).  Today, RSD has 60 operating schools.

RSD Superintendent is Paul Vallas.  RSD's phone number is (504) 373-6200.

 

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Before the November 2005 legislation which expanded the RSD, the LA Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) already governed 2 schools in New Orleans.  BESE still oversees those, both of which are charter schools.