[CharterSchools] Statement from School Board Member Woody Koppel

[charterschools at LACharter.org]

Statement from Orleans Parish School Board Member Woody Koppel:             I am so grateful the voters of Orleans Parish have elected me as their School Board representative three times, but it is time for a new voice to represent District 6. I am bolstered by the fact that there is new leadership emerging in the district. I believe voters trusted me because I had been a public school teacher; I had experience in the school system from several different perspectives. I trust they will evaluate the candidates this Fall and choose someone who matches this experience. This is not a time for on-the-job training in public education policy.Rest assured, my public service is not over. My family has always had deep roots in fighting for the future of our city. This commitment is needed now more than ever, and as a business owner, homeowner, husband and father, there is no way I'd ever give up on our city. My talents in public finance, education and government reform remain dedicated to our community and I look forward to new ways to grow New Orleans.            I leave this position knowing our school system is on a firm, fiscal footing. It will serve us well in these uncertain times. On the board, I led the effort to cut the system’s debt in half and find a dedicated funding stream to improve and maintain schools. We now have the highest bond rating in the State, which alone has saved us over $25 million.            I am proud of our schools and the high bar we have set for educating all our children. Yes, we have more to do but we have moved forward.             But the best thing I did in my job is empower teachers to teach and school leaders to lead. I worked to keep politics and policy fights out of the classroom and just let teachers do their job. It has been hard work to push for equity and accountability across the board for schools, leaders, teachers and students. Thanks to solid progress in differentiated funding, the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, and the hard work to improve graduation rates, I leave the Board in good shape to make even greater progress in these areas.


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