(New Orleans – July 12, 2021) – The NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) family honors the passing of former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who was a keen supporter of improving public education in New Orleans and across Louisiana.
The state's longest serving governor worked privately to create significant reform within Louisiana's educational system. Under his leadership, he helped create a new Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and included language in the state's constitution to include, the state legislature must "provide for the education of the people of the state and shall establish and maintain a public educational system consisting of all schools".
His gubernatorial terms coincided with Louisiana's transition to standards-based reform and the implementation of LEAP testing in 1986.
"Governor Edwards believed in the importance of education and raising academic achievement for all Louisiana students," said Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Edwards' family and loved ones."
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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 76 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.
For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.