News Summary
The Orleans Parish School Board has signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement with New Orleans regarding fines from school zone traffic cameras. This deal secures 40% of the net revenue for the school board, enhancing funding for local schools based on enrollment figures. The agreement also involves penalties for late payments and aims to facilitate better management of traffic fines to support public education and ensure student safety. This follows the prior inactivation of traffic cameras that led to over $2 million in fines collected without a valid agreement, prompting legal warnings.
New Orleans – The Orleans Parish School Board has officially signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement with the city of New Orleans concerning the collection of fines from school zone traffic cameras. Under this new arrangement, the school board will receive 40 percent of the net revenue generated by these cameras, marking a significant shift in how traffic violations in school zones are managed financially.
This agreement has been established in compliance with Act 103 of the 2024 Louisiana legislative session, which emphasizes the need for collaboration between local government entities regarding traffic enforcement revenues. The funds raised from the traffic fines will be allocated directly to schools based on student enrollment figures current as of February 1 each year. NOLA Public Schools will oversee the process of collecting and distributing these funds centrally, ensuring transparency and efficiency in handling the revenue.
Additionally, the agreement enforces penalties for any late payments the city may owe to the school board, including a 10% late fee on overdue amounts. The city is obligated to provide monthly payments along with detailed revenue reports, allowing the school board to monitor the financial flow and ensure accountability.
Previously, the school zone traffic cameras had remained inactive due to the absence of an agreement with the school board, in alignment with state law. During the period when the cameras were operational without a valid agreement, over $2 million had been collected in fines. This situation prompted a warning from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill to the city, highlighting the potential legal ramifications of collecting fines without a binding contract in place. She advised that malfeasance charges could be pursued if the issue remained unresolved.
The New Orleans City Council had approved a prior revenue-splitting agreement in July; however, this was rejected by the school board due to concerns regarding payment timelines. The newly established agreement has aimed to alleviate those concerns and promote a more reliable distribution of funds to enhance public education and student safety in the city.
School Board President emphasized that this agreement is a positive step in supporting public schools and addressing the safety of students. She reiterated the importance of utilizing these funds to improve educational resources and infrastructure within the school system.
While existing red light cameras have remained active, speeding cameras in school zones will only become functional once the agreement is fully enacted and the necessary adjustments to school zones have been made. This strategic move aims to ensure the effective monitoring of speed limits in areas where children are likely to be present, thereby increasing safety for students and families.
There is ongoing advocacy from various community groups and concerned citizens regarding potential reimbursement for drivers who paid fines while the cameras were active without a valid agreement. Despite the financial implications of fines collected in the past, these discussions continue to develop as the school board and city work towards solidifying their partnership.
In a notable financial context, the school board is also awaiting a separate $10 million settlement payment from the city related to property taxes, an issue that is separate from the school zone traffic camera discussions but highlights ongoing fiscal challenges between the local government entities.
The newly signed agreement signifies a proactive approach by both the Orleans Parish School Board and the city of New Orleans to streamline revenue collection and utilize it effectively to support local educational needs while ensuring the safety of students traveling to and from school.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans School Zone Cameras Tickets
- WWL TV: Orleans School Board Revenue Sharing Agreement
- NOLA: OPSB Signs Off on New School Zone Traffic Camera Agreement
- FOX 8: New Orleans Public Schools Traffic Camera Funds
- Wikipedia: Traffic Camera
- Axios: School Zone Camera Revenue Agreement
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
