(New Orleans – January 14, 2025) — The Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) held a swearing-in ceremony Thursday evening, at McDonogh 35 High School, marking the official induction of its newly elected members. The school board members included five members who had served previously and were re-elected uncontested, as well as two newly elected board members representing OPSB School Districts 2 and 4. All of them will serve our school community for the next four years.
The event was hosted by Interim Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore, who welcomed a diverse group of community leaders, elected officials, and school leaders committed to advancing educational opportunities in New Orleans.
"It is both an honor and a privilege to continue serving as the Orleans Parish School Board President for another year. I am eager to build on our existing initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our school board," said OPSB President, Katie Baudouin. "I am genuinely excited about this dynamic and diverse group of board members, and I look forward to working together to achieve our school system's vision of ensuring all children receive a high-quality education. Thank you all for your continued support as we embark on this new term."
"I'm passionate about public school education, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to find a new superintendent to help continue to move this school system forward," said OPSB Vice President, Leila Jacobs Eames. "I'm interested in continuing to keep equity top of mind, working with schools to keep them safe, ensuring schools remain academically and financially sound, as well as in a state of good repair."
Below is a brief bio on each of the school board members.
District 1 - Leila Jacobs Eames was sworn in, bringing her extensive 33-year career in education and public service to the board. She originally joined the board in the Spring of 2022.
Mrs. Eames was born and raised in New Orleans and is a product of the school system 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.
Although retired, Mrs. Eames remains active in public service, which includes membership in The Pontchartrain Links Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and as a commissioner on the Audubon Board. She is the mother of two children, Endya Delpit and Brandon Eames. 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.
District 2 - Gabriela Biro took her oath, representing her background as an activist and her commitment to progressive causes in education. She is newly elected, and this is her first time serving on the board.
Mrs. Biro is a mother, wife, cosmetologist, and lifelong activist. The child of first- and third-generation immigrants with educators on both sides of her family, Gabriela developed a strong sense of civic pride and a deep belief in the importance of public education. Her political consciousness was shaped by her mother's union involvement as a Chief Shop Steward and her participation in grassroots protest movements of the 2000s-10s.
Despite being a gifted student, her disadvantaged background discouraged her from initially pursuing higher education. Instead, she pursued a trade in one of her passions, studying and later practicing cosmetology. She soon recognized that her experiences reflected those of many young people navigating a rapidly changing education system and workforce.
She has committed to progressive causes in New Orleans, where she has joined various grassroots organizations focused on marginalized communities, animal welfare, reproductive justice, and environmental restoration. Gabriela has been particularly active with the New Orleans DSA chapter and in mutual aid efforts.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Gabriela returned to school at Delgado Community College and learned that she had previously undiagnosed learning disabilities, giving her a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers in education. While focusing on child psychology, she decided to pivot and start a family of her own. As someone who had been let down by the system and as a new parent, Gabriela's experiences fueled her commitment to public education for future generations.
Gabriela's leadership is driven by her child-centered philosophy, with a focus on ensuring that every student—especially the most vulnerable—has access to the opportunities necessary for success in today's world.
District 3 - Olin Parker joined the board in January 2021. He represents District 3, which includes parts of Gentilly, Lakeview, the Lake Area, Mid-City, and Bayou St. John. His district includes McDonogh 35 High School, where he has attended sporting events, back-to-school giveaways, choir and band performances, alumni association meetings, and wrestling practices.
Board Member Parker has dedicated his entire career to education. Prior to joining the Orleans Parish School Board in 2020, Mr. Parker served as a high school math teacher and a state government official in various roles at the Louisiana Department of Education.
In addition to his service on the School Board, Mr. Parker serves on the Executive Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, as a Commissioner for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, and as OPSB's representative for the Council of Great City Schools.
Board Member Parker is blessed to have the support of his wife Rachael as well as his three wonderful children, Dorothy Rose, Griffith, and Georgia.
District 4 - KaTrina Chantelle Griffin was sworn in, focusing on community mediation and educational equity.
The newly elected School Board Member for District 4, who will be serving on the board for the first time, is a passionate advocate for her beloved city of New Orleans, committed to driving positive change, particularly for marginalized communities. Her journey has been shaped by her deep desire to give back to the community that has supported her, and her dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
A certified mediator, KaTrina works tirelessly to improve relationships between communities and law enforcement through organizations such as the ReEntry Mediation Institute Louisiana (REMILA) and the New Orleans Community-Police Mediation Program. She understands that fostering dialogue is the first step toward systemic change.
KaTrina brings over 25 years of experience in banking, business and education. She holds an MBA, a Graduate Certification in Accounting, and a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in Psychology. Her extensive background in nonprofit development and financial management ensures she will be a strong advocate for our schools.
Her son, Iniko Jr., and her daughter, Karlee are by far her greatest accomplishments. Ms. Griffin is committed to addressing truancy, advocating for equity in education, and improving teacher retention and compensation.
District 5 - Katie Baudouin was inducted, with her background in policy and government service. She's served on the board since January 2021.
Mrs. Baudouin has spent her career working in state and local government and for nonprofit organizations. She started her career at the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Louisiana Alliance of Nonprofits) where she helped to advance progressive policies aimed at improving quality of life for all Louisiana families.
She also worked at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (Louisiana Department of Health), where she worked to improve health outcomes and expand Medicaid and LaCHIP eligibility and enrollment. And as a policy analyst at the National Academy for State Health Policy, where she worked with states as they planned for Medicaid expansion.
Baudouin served for more than three years as staff to two New Orleans City Councilmembers Stacy Head and Joe Giarrusso, where she drafted legislation, assisted on land use matters, worked on budget priorities, and ensured that public money was being spent wisely.
Baudouin earned a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University.
District 6 - Carlos Zervigon took the oath, known for his contributions to rebuilding schools post-Katrina and his personal experience with learning disabilities. Similar to Mrs. Baudouin and Mr. Parker, he has been serving as a school board member since January 2021.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Carlos is a proud graduate of the New Orleans Public Schools, graduating from Eleanor McMain Secondary School in 1984. He went on to study History, Studio Art and Education at Tulane University where he earned a BA in History, a BFA in Glass Sculpture, as well as his Teacher Certification for Secondary Social Studies. Carlos also holds a Masters in History Teaching from the University of New Orleans. He and his wife Elizabeth (Ben Franklin '84) raised their six children in New Orleans, all of whom attended New Orleans Public Schools.
Out of a sense of loyalty to the system that gave him his education and a sense of urgency that the system must improve, Carlos joined the New Orleans Public Schools teaching corps, including teaching social studies at Ben Franklin High School from 1993-2000. Having struggled with severe learning disabilities, Carlos is keenly aware of the need to meet each child's unique learning needs. While teaching at Ben Franklin, Carlos served as the Learning Disabilities Contact Teacher, giving students under his care the support he had never received.
Rebuilding public schools after Hurricane Katrina, Carlos was elected to be the Founding Board Chair to reopen Audubon Montessori / L'Ecole Franco-Américaine as Audubon Charter School. Carlos later served on the board of Ben Franklin High School, servings as its President from 2018 to 2020.
District 7 - Nolan Marshall was sworn in once again, continuing his long-standing service to the community through education and photography.
Mr. Marshall was elected to the Orleans Parish School Board in 2012 representing District 7. He has served on several local non-profit boards and has been a member and officer in many school and community organizations. He presently serves on the board of directors for the Bayou District Foundation, which has the responsibility for the redevelopment of the St. Bernard Housing Development area.
Nolan Marshall, Jr. is a native New Orleanian, educated at Macarty Elementary in the Lower Ninth Ward (now Martin Luther King Elementary), St. Augustine High School, Loyola University and the University of New Orleans. Known in the community mainly as a photographer, Nolan operated the business his father started in 1948, Marshall Studios, from 1972 to 2013.
He is the father of two daughters and one son, five granddaughters and four grandsons. All have been educated in traditional public schools as well as private, parochial and/or charter schools.
To learn more about the OPSB, visit: https://nolapublicschools.com/about/board
Post-Swearing In Business:
Following the ceremony, a special board business meeting was held to decide the following:
Board President and Vice President Election: Ballots were cast for the positions of President and Vice President. After a nomination process and multiple rounds of voting when necessary, [Insert name] was elected President, and [Insert name] was elected Vice President, both receiving the necessary four votes for election.
2025 Committee Appointments: The Board President recommended committee appointments which were subsequently approved by the board. The appointments are as follows:
- Accountability Committee: Leila Jacob Eames, KaTrina Chantelle Griffin, and Carlos Zervigon
- Budget & Finance Committee: Olin Parker, Leila Jacob Eames, and Gabriela Biro
- Legal & Legislative Committee: Carlos Zervigon, Olin Parker, and Nolan Marshall
- Policy Committee: Carlos Zervigon, KaTrina Chantelle Griffin, and Olin Parker
This event not only highlighted the new leadership of OPSB but also underscored the community's ongoing commitment to educational advancement and equity. The Orleans Parish School Board looks forward to the contributions of its new members in shaping the future of education in New Orleans.
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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 67 public schools and is led by Interim 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.