OPSB Announces Informational Meetings On Mahalia Jackson Elementary Closure Recommendation
May 4, 2017
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS ON MAHALIA JACKSON ELEMENTARY CLOSURE RECOMMENDATION
Superintendent Lewis To Address Recommendation To Close District-Operated K-6 School Program, Discuss Support For Families And Community, Allow Attendees to Voice Concerns
NEW ORLEANS – (May 4, 2017) – Today the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) announced it will hold two informational meetings for families and community members to address the recommendation to close the district-operated K-6 school program at Mahalia Jackson Elementary. The meetings are intended to inform families and the community affected by this recommendation of next steps, supports and options for students as well as allow attendees to voice their thoughts and concerns.
A meeting for families will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. and a second meeting for families and community members will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. Both meetings will be held at Mahalia Jackson Elementary, located at 2405 Jackson Avenue. The meetings are open to the public.
Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. is looking forward to meeting with the school community. “OPSB is committed to fostering great school choices for every family while also being financially sustainable and operationally efficient,” said Superintendent Lewis. “This recommendation is not easy, nor is it one we take lightly. The impact to students, families and staff is, and always will be, OPSB’s primary consideration.”
The recommendation to close MJE at the end of the 2017-2018 school year was presented to the School Board on Thursday, April 20. The board moved to defer the decision to allow the school community, families and staff the opportunity to receive additional information and provide the School Board with additional input.
To support the students and families of the Mahalia Jackson community, OPSB is making available the following resources:
- Counselors, social workers and interpreters to provide support to members of the school community.
- Information regarding the proposed closure has been provided to the staff of all EnrollNOLA Family Resource Centers, as well as through OPSB’s Parent Engagement Office.
- OPSB has contracted with EdNavigator to provide individualized counseling to each Mahalia Jackson Elementary School family seeking alternate public school placements during the transition period.
OPSB currently oversees 32 schools, including 25 charters, six network schools and one educational program for students in secure care facilities.