INVESTING IN EDUCATION & OUR FUTURE

A strong city starts with strong schools and supported families.

While the mayor doesn’t directly control schools, the mayor must be a champion for students, families, and educators—breaking down the barriers that keep children from succeeding.


As a proud product of our public schools, I know the power of education to transform lives. But too many of our kids aren’t supported outside the classroom, making it harder for schools to do their job. My administration will prioritize students and families, ensuring every child has the resources, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive.

How we'll get it done:

  • Protect School Funding

    • Stop the city from siphoning money from schools—ensuring all education funding goes where it belongs: to students.
    • Honor our commitment to repay debts to schools, so every child has access to the resources they deserve.
    • Collaborate with the City Council to ensure Harrah’s funding continues to be directed toward critical investments in our education system.

  • Give Every Student a Strong Start

    • Expand our pilot universal basic income project into a fully coordinated strategy that invests in our youth with life skills, financial literacy, and a guaranteed income. 
    • In partnership with the city’s early childhood providers, expand and enhance universal Pre-K to ensure all 3- and 4-year-olds have access to high-quality early learning options and facilities.
    • Support and partner with the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to ensure every New Orleanian reads at grade level by third grade.

  • Create Pathways from School to High-Wage Careers

    • Fast-track Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduates into city jobs through partnerships with the New Orleans Job Corps and Delgado to help fill chronically understaffed civil service positions.

  • Support Educators & Make New Orleans a City Where Teachers Thrive

    • Incentivize landlords to offer discounted housing for teachers, reducing housing costs for our educators.
    • Work with businesses to provide discounts and benefits for teachers to show them the value they bring to our community.
    • Create a student loan relief and homeownership assistance program for educators in high-needs schools.

  • Close the Digital Divide

    Continue to provide free WiFi hotspots and technology access for students in need so every child can succeed in a digital world.

  • Ensure Schools & Law Enforcement Work Together for Student Success

    In partnership with NOLA-PS and NOPD, implement joint training for law enforcement and school staff on adolescent mental health and crisis intervention to reduce unsafe police interactions.

  • Give Students a Voice in City Decisions

    Enhance the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, ensuring young people have a seat at the table in shaping city decisions and policies.

  • MEASURING IMPACT

    Student Achievement & Early Learning

    • Increase in Pre-K enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds, ensuring universal early education access.
    • Percentage of third graders reading at grade level, tracking progress of the citywide literacy initiative.

    Career Pathways & Workforce Development

    • Growth in paid internships and summer jobs, ensuring more youth are engaged in year-round employment.
    • Increase in CTE graduates placed into city jobs and high-wage careers, showing success in job pipelines.

    Supporting Our Educators

    • Increase in educators benefiting from housing incentives, reducing financial burdens for teachers.
    • Number of teachers receiving student loan forgiveness or homeownership support, strengthening educator retention.
    • Participation in teacher discount programs, ensuring businesses are recognizing and supporting educators.

    Closing the Digital Divide

    • Percentage of students with reliable internet access, ensuring technology is not a barrier to success.
    • Number of students receiving free WiFi hotspots and digital resources, tracking the city’s investment in tech equity.
    • Student & Community Engagement
    • Number of youth participating in the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, ensuring student voices shape city policies.
    • Attendance at school-community safety and crisis intervention training, improving collaboration between schools and law enforcement.