On December 10, 2008, Civil District Court Judge Ethel Simms-Julien certified a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 8,500 public school employees terminated after the State of Louisiana took control of over 100 New Orleans Public Schools after Hurricane Katrina. In a 20-page ruling issued November 12, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the trial court.  The 3-judge panel was composed of Judge Edwin A. Lombard, Judge Terri F. Love, and Judge Paul A. Bonin. 

New Orleans music is known throughout the world as part of our unique heritage and local culture. But our musicians, along with our educators have suffered from direct attacks on education budgets and on the professionalism of teachers and other school staff who we rely on to help our children succeed.

Several nationally known local musicians are speaking out to voice their support for our teachers and other school personnel. Musician Charmaine Neville, Deacon John Moore, President of the American Federation of Musicians, and founders of the Rebirth Brass Band Phil and Keith Frazier are adding their images and words to UTNO’s citywide ad campaign titled “We Are With UTNO.”

These large ads are on display in several bus shelter locations around the city: Charmaine Neville: North Broad and Esplanade; Deacon John: S. Carrolton and S. Claiborne and also in the shelter at MacArthur and General DeGualle on the Westbank; and the Rebirth: Elysian Fields and Filmore. (Read their words of support...)