New School Board President & Vice President Elected to Lead OPSB
(New Orleans – January 22, 2026) — During its regular board business meeting, the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) voted to elect Leila Jacobs Eames as President and Olin G. Parker as its Vice President.
"I'd like to thank my fellow board members for their continued support and belief in me. We have a very talented and experienced board, and it's an honor to serve with you," said OPSB President Ms. Eames. "I look forward to working with you and the Superintendent to continue to make our school system stronger and ensure we provide a high-quality education for our city's children."
"I'm proud to be on this board and appreciate the willingness of our board members to collaborate, think independently, and be transparent and open about the direction we're heading in," said OPSB Vice President Olin Parker. "Thank you, colleagues the work you do every day for the children of Orleans Parish."
OPSB President Leila Jacobs Eames District 1: Mrs. Eames was born and raised in New Orleans and is a proud graduate of Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge with a Master's in Administration. She also earned certification in administration from Loyola University and the University of New Orleans. Mrs. Eames is a retiree of New Orleans Public Schools where she worked professionally for more than 33 years. She served as a 5th grade teacher, Title 1 Resource Teacher, Title 1 Coordinator of Instruction, and Associate Superintendent of Federal Programs, where she managed a $50 million annual budget.
Even though she is retired, Mrs. Eames serves as a member of The Pontchartrain Links Chapter where she chairs programming and is a commissioner on the Audubon Board. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She serves food to the needy at Lantern Light and reads books to children in Jefferson, Orleans and St Bernard Public Schools. She is a member of the American Bridge Association and the Autocrat Golf Club. She has served on NOLA Public School Board for the past three years. She is presently the Vice President of this board. Mrs. Eames also served on non-profit boards: Eastover Property Owners Association Board and the Non-Flood Protection Management Levee Board and the Lake Forest Charter School Board. In addition, she served as an educational national consultant providing support and assistance to school districts working with teachers, principals, and associate superintendents.
Mrs. Eames attends St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. She traveled to Ghana and Haiti on mission trips with her Links Chapter to help distribute food, educational materials, and supplies to families and churches.
She is the mother of two children Endya Delpit and Brandon Eames (Brandy), she is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. She was married to the late Louis Lester Eames for 54 years. Mrs. Eames enjoys traveling, reading, playing bridge, playing golf, shopping and attending her oldest grandchild's football games around the country.
OPSB Vice President Olin G. Parker represents District 3: Mr. Parker represents District 3, which includes parts of Gentilly, Lakeview, the Lake Area, Mid-City, and Bayou St. John. Prior to joining the Orleans Parish School Board in 2020, Mr. Parker served in various roles at the Louisiana Department of Education. He is also a former high school math teacher at both charter and traditional district schools in Louisiana.
Mr. Parker has been involved with numerous community organizations as a board member and volunteer. Currently, he serves on the board of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, as a Commissioner for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, and as the Orleans Parish School Board's representative for the Council of Great City Schools. Previously, he served as the chairperson of the Mid-City Neighborhood Organization, as the Senior Warden at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, as a board member of St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and as a youth sports coach of the 18th Ward Sports Club and Carrollton Boosters.
Mr. Parker is the husband of a lifelong educator and current school administrator, and the proud parent of three children, all of whom have attended New Orleans Public Schools since pre-kindergarten.
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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 66 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Fateama S. Fulmore.
For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.
