InspireNOLA Charter Schools is pleased that NOLA Public Schools has listened to the community and is acting to change their policy regarding the naming of public school buildings in New Orleans.
Schools have a responsibility to shape the minds of bright young people and position them to achieve aspirations for their future. Public schools have a unique mandate to ensure that their curriculums, programming, and cultural competence reflect that of the people and communities they serve. Currently, there are several schools in this city named after slaveholder John McDonogh, including McDonogh 42. New Orleans residents have voiced their opposition against John McDonogh for the past 70 years, and it is time for a change.
We recognize that this proposed policy change by NOLA Public Schools is the first step in allowing schools to explore renaming facilities, and we applaud NOLA Public Schools for their proposed policy statement against “the naming of facilities for persons who did not believe in equal rights for all.”
We thank you, NOLA Public Schools, for taking the first step toward change.