NOLA Public Schools are governed by the Orleans Parish School Board. The Orleans Parish School Board is a government body comprised of seven elected officials, each of whom represent a portion of Orleans Parish. The board meets monthly as a full board at its business meetings, and in smaller committees that make recommendations to the full board. Committees include Accountability, Policy, Budget/Finance, Property, and Legal/Legislative. These meetings are free and open to the public. More information about board meetings, board policies, and related documents can be found here.
Board Members
Ethan Ashley
District 2, President
District 2 MapEthan Ashley was born and raised in Compton, California. At the age of 16, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, a law magnet high school in Los Angeles, California. After high school, he continued his education at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Juris...l
Read Bio
Woody Koppel
District 6, Vice President
District 6 MapWoody Koppel, a native New Orleanian, attended Henry Allen, Jean Gordon, De La Salle and the University of the South at Sewanee, Tn., where he earned a B.A. in fine arts. Now a successful businessperson, Koppel was an award-winning teacher at James Lewis Elementary, who travelled as far as the Anna Freud Centre in England...
Read Bio
John A. Brown, Sr.
District 1
District 1 MapJohn Alan Brown, Sr, is a lifelong and proud native of New Orleans. He is a graduate of Walter L. Cohen, Class of 1966. After high school, John left New Orleans to pursue his educational and athletic aspirations at Winston-Salem State University. While at Winston-Salem, he was a member of the football and track programs.
Read Bio
Sarah Newell Usdin
District 3
District 3 MapSarah Newell Usdin is the Founder and past-CEO of New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and developing the people, resources and environment necessary to achieve excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans. NSNO directly launched/expanded charter schools, invested in recruitment/training for...
Read Bio
Leslie Ellison
District 4
District 4 MapThe Honorable Leslie Ellison serves the citizens of Algiers, Faubourg Marigny, Bywater and the French Quarter on the Orleans Parish School Board, District 4. Ms. Ellison was first elected to the Orleans Parish School Board on November 6, 2012, and has held numerous leadership positions since assuming office. A strong visionary and passionate education leader, Ms...
Read Bio
Grisela Alejandro Jackson
District 5
District 5 MapGrisela Alejandro Jackson is a mother, pastor’s wife, and businesswoman with a passion for education and a love for children. As a member of Historic Second Baptist Church, she served as a tutor for many years in the Saturday Morning Tutoring Program, a part of the Education Ministry. After Hurricane Katrina, she led the effort to restart and rebuild Lawrence D.Crocker Elementary School, with support and involvement from members...
Nolan Marshall, Jr.
District 7
District 7 MapMr. Marshall was elected to the Orleans Parish School Board in 2012 representing District 7. He has served on several local non-profit boards and has been a member and officer in many school and community organizations. He presently serves on the board of directors for the Bayou District Foundation, which has the responsibility for the redevelopment of the St. Bernard Housing Development area...
Read BioBoard Committees
Nolan Marshall, Jr., Chair Sarah Newell Usdin John A. Brown, Sr. Leslie Ellison, Chair Woody Koppel Grisela Alejandro Jackson John A. Brown, Sr., Chair Leslie Ellison Woody Koppel Sarah Newell Usdin, Chair Leslie Ellison Woody Koppel, Chair Grisela Alejandro Jackson Nolan Marshall, Jr.
Accountability
Budget/Finance
Legal/Legislative
Policy
Property
Grisela Alejandro Jackson
