A Call for Equity in Public Education Reform: Reflections from Hurricane Katrina

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina reshaped life in New Orleans, Grantmakers In Health and the Greater New Orleans Funders Network convened a panel in June 2025 to reflect on what we’ve learned and what we must carry forward when it comes to public education in our region. From a chaotic aftermath to systemic reform and the compounding impacts of COVID-19, the evolution of New Orleans’ school system offers powerful lessons for funders, educators, and policymakers committed to equity.

Reflection 1: Inequitable Access to Resources

In the wake of Katrina, the public education landscape in New Orleans benefited from large-scale philanthropic investments, but access was often dictated by existing power and social networks. Black-led school leaders and charter operators were systematically overlooked in favor of white-led organizations, deepening historical inequities. While some reforms were born during this time, many were not inclusive in design or implementation. This early phase of recovery underscores the need for equity not only in outcomes, but also in how recovery efforts are resourced and led.

Reflection 2: Equity-Driven Reforms Require Collaboration and Investment

As the system recovered from the storm, collaborative efforts such as differentiated funding formulas, centralized enrollment, and trauma-informed approaches laid the groundwork for more equitable experiences for students and families. Philanthropy played a vital role in enabling these systemic shifts. These reforms demonstrated the value of long-term investment in structural change and importance of keeping equity at the center of reform, particularly in a city still grappling with deep racial and economic divides.

Reflection 3: Today’s Landscape Requires a Shift Toward Sustainability 

Now, New Orleans faces a new set of challenges: a smaller student population, growing absenteeism, educator burnout, and decreasing philanthropic and federal investment. The district must “right-size” to ensure that remaining resources are used effectively. This moment calls for a renewed focus on supporting educators through affordable housing, mental health care, and other long-term retention strategies. Without them, any progress we’ve made is at risk.

Any conversation about reform must also include the rich legacy of Black educational practices in New Orleans, a strength that predates the storm and continues today. As we look ahead to the next 20 years, funders must take an asset-based approach that recognizes and restores these strengths. Rebuilding after disaster cannot be separated from the values of inclusion, justice, and community leadership. It’s not just about what gets done, but how, by whom, and for whom.

The story of New Orleans public education didn’t begin with Katrina, and it shouldn’t be told without centering the communities most impacted.