OPSB Lifts 100-Year-Old Ban of Jazz Music & Dance in New Orleans Public Schools

(New Orleans – March 24, 2022) — During tonight's regular Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) meeting, board members unanimously voted to rescind the OPSB's previous action on March 24, 1922, to abolish jazz music and jazz dancing from New Orleans Public Schools.

The 1922 action was not on the agenda when considered and was added during a debate on school finances. The resolution was passed without the benefit of prior policy development, analysis, or debate.

"I'm very glad that we can resend this policy. I want to acknowledge it. It was rooted in racism," said OPSB President Olin Parker. "And I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our students and especially of our band directors, whose legacy continues from 1922 through present day."

"What a significant opportunity this is for us to be able to rescind this policy on what is literally the 100th anniversary, to the day, since it was originally passed," said OPSB member Carlos Zervigon. "I want to thank Dr. Ken Ducote for bringing this to my attention to submit this resolution, and also to thank Connie Phelps, librarian at the Special Collections of the Earl K Long library who unearthed the original minutes for us."

"We're glad that the policy was ignored by our schools, because our schools played a major role in the development of jazz," said OPSB member Katherine Baudouin.

Notwithstanding the original action taken by the board in 1922, throughout the history of jazz, local public school teachers and their students have made the School District prominent in the preservation and development of jazz and other local musical traditions.

Many former public school students have become legends of jazz history, and jazz music in education has been shown to enhance student learning experiences through inspiring creativity and self-expression and by developing focus, self-discipline, communication skills, and teamwork.

For all these reasons, the OPSB voted to correct the previous action of the School Board and encourage jazz music and jazz dance in schools. 

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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 76 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.

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