We want our schools to be welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring environments for our students each day. A key part of that is ensuring that the names of our schools and the people that we honor through naming are reflective of the values of our district. Some of our schools and buildings currently carry names that are associated with the painful legacy of racism and discrimination, and this must change.
We are encouraged to see school communities lead and organize around this important issue. We hear the call for change from our community, and we are prepared to answer with supportive action. The Orleans Parish School Board and NOLA Public Schools are actively reviewing Policy FDC regarding the naming of school facilities. We are currently working with school communities, including current students and alumni, teachers, families, and staff, to identify new options for names that better represent our values. We look forward to offering new names that reflect our District’s values for board consideration at our upcoming board meeting in July.
What we are clear about is that beyond name changes, we must ensure that our practices and policies provide our students with safe, anti-racist, and equitable school settings. We are serious about this work and will continue to engage with our community to identify opportunities for systemic change across the district.
In Service,
Ethan Ashley
Board President
Orleans Parish School Board