News Summary
Public school teachers in New Orleans protested outside City Hall against Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s decision to withdraw from a settlement agreement with the Orleans Parish School Board. The settlement, tied to a lawsuit claiming the city withheld over $130 million in tax revenue, has raised concerns about funding for essential educational programs. With an upcoming court hearing to enforce the settlement, teachers and community leaders are demanding urgent local government support for education amid worries over potential funding cuts.
New Orleans – Public school teachers gathered outside City Hall on Thursday to protest Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s decision to withdraw from a settlement agreement with the Orleans Parish School Board. The settlement, which is linked to a lawsuit filed in 2019, accuses the city of withholding tax revenue from the local school system, amounting to a total of over $130 million.
The annual payment process established in the settlement included a $10 million installment due at the start of this year, which has not been funded. This lack of funding has deeply concerned teachers, parents, and community leaders about the potential implications for the school system moving forward.
Organized by various community representatives, the protest drew support from numerous groups, including church leaders, Step-Up (an organization dedicated to supporting parents), members of the NAACP, and local teachers’ union members. Dave Cash, President of United Teachers of New Orleans, stated that the protest embodies the sentiments of the whole community, not just teachers and parents.
Erin Canfield, a teacher at Bricolage Academy and one of the protest organizers, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, stressing the urgency for local government support for the schools. Canfield asserted that local action is essential to ensure funding for education in New Orleans.
The Orleans Parish School Board responded to the situation by filing a motion in civil court aimed at enforcing the settlement payment from the city. A hearing is set for March 19, where oral arguments regarding the briefs related to the case will take place. This legal action indicates the seriousness with which the school board is treating the issue.
In response to the backlash from the community, the city has attributed its inability to meet the funding obligation to a cash flow problem. City officials maintain that the matter is pending before the court and have expressed a desire to engage in constructive discussions to reach a compromise that serves the interests of the students, the school board, and the city.
Teachers participating in the protest voiced their concerns over the detrimental effects of delayed funding. They underscored the risk of potential cuts to essential programs, such as arts education, field trips, and teacher positions, which could jeopardize the quality of education available in the city’s public schools.
The events that led to the current settlement date back to 2019 when the Orleans Parish School Board filed a lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit claimed that the city had unlawfully withheld funds that were rightfully owed to the school system through property taxes, which would have been utilized to improve educational facilities and resources.
This legal dispute shows the ongoing tension between city officials and education leaders in New Orleans. The settlement agreement was intended to provide a resolution and deliver much-needed support to the schools, but the recent withdrawal by Mayor Cantrell has thrown the future of these funds into uncertainty.
As the situation continues to develop, the upcoming court hearing will be crucial for determining the next steps regarding the funding that is vital for students and teachers alike. The actions taken by the local community reflect a growing unrest and highlight the importance of ensuring adequate financial resources for the educational system in New Orleans.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Orleans University Faces Major Changes Amid Financial Troubles
New Orleans Schools Face $50 Million Budget Crisis
Additional Resources
- WGNO: Teachers protest mayor’s decision to not pay NOLA public schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- NOLA: Students and teachers demand Mayor Cantrell pay settlement
- Google Search: New Orleans school funding
- SF Examiner: SF State funeral march mourns forthcoming lecturer layoffs
- Google Scholar: New Orleans school funding lawsuit
- WGNO: Video of teachers protest
- Google News: New Orleans education
