Thousands of New Orleans Teachers Fired After Katrina Were Denied Due Process Says Louisiana Appeals Court

Appeals court says New Orleans teachers were improperly fired

wwltv.com

Posted on January 16, 2014 at 10:43 AM

Updated today at 12:25 PM

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A state appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling that thousands of New Orleans teachers fired after Hurricane Katrina were denied the constitutional right of due process.

   A panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal also adjusted the lower court's damage award, ordering the New Orleans school board to pay two years of back pay and benefits and requiring the state to pay an additional year of back pay and benefits to teachers who meet certain requirements.

   A state judge had awarded more than $1 million to seven lead plaintiffs in the case. 

   In testimony before the appeal court, a board attorney said upholding the initial ruling would mean as many as 7,500 other teachers and staff would be in line to receive nearly $1.5 billion in damage payments.

(Left to right) Juana Lombard, Clarence Roby, Anthony Irpino, Willie Zanders, Suzette Bagneris, Jeremy Pichon, Mark Glago.  Not in picture: Larry Samuel, Walter Willard, Rico Alvendia & Evelyn Battiste (Client Relations Manager)     New Orleans Public Schools Employees Justice (www.nopsejustice.com) The most recent information on the case was posted onJanuary 16, 2014. "Please click here to review the Judgmentfrom the Court of Appeal on January 15, 2014. Please clickhere for our press release." To view the latest information, please click "Current Status and Developments" and "Frequently Asked Questions" on this website.   Please click here to review the Judgment from the Court of Appeal. Please click here to review the Judgment from the trial court.  Please click here to review the "Reasons for Judgment" from the trial court. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view .PDF files. Download it free here)