June 16, 2011 – New Orleans, LA – In light of the recent leadership crisis at St. Augustine High School, today, the New Orleans City Council passed a resolution urging the St. Augustine community, including the Josephite Order, to negotiate a mutually agreeable resolution with the ultimate objective of continuing St. Augustine’s self-governance and reuniting the St. Augustine High School community. Resolution 277 was co-authored by Councilmembers Fielkow, Hedge-Morrell and Johnson.
Under the leadership of the Society of Josephites, St. Augustine High School has been, over the past sixty years, a leader in efforts to remove obstacles to, and promote opportunities for, African-Americans in New Orleans and throughout the nation. The success of the school has been achieved through the dedication, sacrifice and hard work of the parents, students, alumni, coaches and instructors of St. Augustine, who in conjunction with the Josephite Order, have formed a unified and devoted community.
As leaders in the community, the City Council passed the resolution so as to express its position in support of the tremendous contributions of St. Augustine High School and its right to self-governance. Such self-governance and decentralized decision making are consistent with the prevailing education policies currently in place in both public and private schools throughout New Orleans.
“For the last several years, New Orleans has embraced a policy that decentralizes education governance as seen through the public charter schools. Allowing St. Augustine to continue its tradition of success by maintaining its self-governance is consistent with that policy. I hope to see St. Augustine’s leadership restored and their graduates continue to achieve success,” said Councilmember Fielkow.
“I have always appreciated the school’s well-honed traditions and the hard work of the Society of Josephites to build and maintain one of the finest high schools in the country. St. Aug’s graduates make important contributions in our community,” said Councilmember Hedge-Morrell. ”I hope that Rev. William Norvel, the Society of Josephites superior general charged with resolving the St. Aug crisis, will understand the importance of local self-governance and reunite the St. Augustine High School Community.”
“No one can question the success that St. Augustine experiences in providing for the educational needs of African American males in the City of New Orleans. For the past sixty years this system has proven successful. It is a strong indication that the St. Augustine leadership is doing something correctly and we believe they should be allowed to continue those efforts.”
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Contact:
Danielle Viguerie
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow
Office: 504-658-1063
daviguerie@nola.gov
Contact:
Joshua Barnett
Office of Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District “D”
Office: 504-658-1040
JBarnett@nola.gov
Contact:
Donna Dugue
Office of Councilmember Jon Johnson, District “E”
Office: 504-658-1054
dmdugue@nola.gov
