Federal Judge Ends Long-Running Special Education Consent Decree in New Orleans Schools

The 11-year court oversight tied to a class-action lawsuit has concluded, but the district says its commitment to students with disabilities continues.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:50pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of students with disabilities learning in a classroom, with blurred shapes and vibrant splashes of color creating a sense of movement and community.The end of a long-running consent decree signals a new chapter for supporting students with disabilities in New Orleans public schools.New Orleans Today

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey has issued an order ending the consent judgment that required sweeping reforms to ensure students with disabilities received services guaranteed under federal law in New Orleans public charter schools. The consent decree stemmed from the 2010 case P.B. v. Brumley, which was brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of about 4,500 students.

Why it matters

The consent decree led to broad, system-wide changes in how schools identify and support students with disabilities, including expanded staff training, stronger complaint investigation processes, and additional resources for families. The end of court supervision marks a milestone, but the district says its commitment to students with disabilities will continue.

The details

The consent judgment, finalized in 2015, required the Orleans Parish School Board and the Louisiana Department of Education to implement changes across the district's charter schools. In his ruling, Judge Zainey found that the school system and state education officials achieved 'substantial compliance' with all requirements and maintained those standards for eight consecutive years, well beyond the two years required to end federal oversight.

  • The 2010 case P.B. v. Brumley was brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
  • The consent judgment was finalized in 2015.
  • Judge Zainey issued the order ending the consent decree on March 31, 2026.

The players

Jay C. Zainey

U.S. District Judge who issued the order ending the consent decree.

Fateama S. Fulmore

Superintendent of the Orleans Parish School Board.

Leila Eames

President of the Orleans Parish School Board.

Southern Poverty Law Center

Civil rights organization that brought the 2010 case P.B. v. Brumley on behalf of about 4,500 students.

Louisiana Department of Education

State education agency that was named as a defendant in the 2010 case.

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What they’re saying

“Our commitment to students with disabilities is not just about compliance. It's about doing right by our children. Our work is ongoing and will continue to improve.”

— Fateama S. Fulmore, Superintendent, Orleans Parish School Board

“The oversight may be over, but the mission is unchanged. Students with disabilities deserve a system that sees them, serves them and fights for them.”

— Leila Eames, President, Orleans Parish School Board

The takeaway

The end of the long-running consent decree marks a significant milestone for the New Orleans public school system, which has undergone extensive reforms to improve services and support for students with disabilities. While the court oversight has concluded, the district remains committed to continuing its work to ensure all students with disabilities receive the education and resources they deserve.