News Summary
The Orleans Parish School Board will auction seven properties, including the historic L.E. Rabouin Memorial School, on April 30, 2025, amidst a $50 million budget deficit. The previous auction had disappointing results, raising less than $1 million, raising hopes for improved financial recovery this time. The historic school has an appraised value of $6.5 million and is eyed for redevelopment. Legal stipulations require properties to be auctioned at a minimum value, and efforts are being made to address community needs in the future use of these spaces.
New Orleans – The Orleans Parish School Board is set to auction off seven properties, including the historic former L.E. Rabouin Memorial School located at 727 Carondelet St., on April 30, 2025. The decision to move forward with this auction arises amid an ongoing financial crisis, as the school board grapples with a significant $50 million budget deficit. There is hope that these sales will help alleviate some of the fiscal strain currently faced by the board.
A recent auction resulted in disappointing outcomes, with only one of the six previously offered properties finding a buyer, ultimately generating less than $1 million in revenue. This was particularly concerning given that the properties had the potential to generate as much as $11 million, funds which could potentially aid in addressing the pressing budget shortfall.
The sole sold property during the last auction was the former Jean Gordon Elementary School in Gentilly, which was purchased for its minimum asking price of $977,500. This property was acquired by Blue New Orleans, LLC, which has not yet disclosed its plans for the site. The auction was met with dissatisfaction by school board officials, but they noted there was considerable interest in the remaining properties, suggesting a possibility of more successful sales in the future.
The upcoming auction features the former L.E. Rabouin Memorial School, an 88-year-old building with an appraised value of $6.5 million and a minimum bid set at $5 million. The location in the Warehouse District is considered suitable for redevelopment projects such as a hotel or apartment complex. The building includes features like off-street parking and a courtyard, along with historic significance, having been featured in Bruce Springsteen’s “Human Touch” music video.
Due to legal stipulations, the school board is required to auction surplus properties at a minimum of 85% of their appraised value. Properties that remain unsold will be put up for auction again in late June at 80% of their appraised values. One notable property, the former Arthur Ashe Elementary School, was pulled from the auction after interest was expressed by a local charter school, the Willow School. The acquisition of this property is part of the charter school’s efforts to address space challenges as it plans to expand its operations.
In the backdrop of these auctions, the Gentilly area has been undergoing redevelopment into single-family neighborhoods in the years following Hurricane Katrina, indicating a potential for growth and interest in such properties. The Orleans Parish School Board currently possesses around 13 unused school buildings as well as more than 122 acres of vacant land, many of which have been underutilized since the hurricane.
As part of their long-term strategy, the school district is contemplating changes to its policy surrounding surplus properties, aiming to incorporate greater community input regarding the future use of these spaces. The board’s Chief Operating Officer has highlighted the importance of beneficial community uses for these surplus properties, prioritizing community needs over merely maximizing profits from sales.
With the next auction on the horizon, officials are hopeful that renewed interest in the properties will lead to greater financial recovery for the Orleans Parish School Board, ultimately benefiting the education system and the local community in New Orleans.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: New Orleans School Board Properties Auction
- Wikipedia: General Information
- NOLA: Cash-Strapped New Orleans School Board Auction
- Google Search: New Orleans School Board Properties Auction
- The Advocate: Orleans School Board Auction
- Google Scholar: Louisiana School Property Auctions
- WGNO: Settlement Hearing Between OPSB and New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- NOLA: Uses for Empty Schools in NOLA
- Google News: New Orleans School Board
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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.
