NOLA Public Schools details $700 million budget picture, flags 2028 millage renewals

Dr. Fatima Fulmore, superintendent of NOLA Public Schools, and Chief Financial Officer Naisha Vil presented a community overview of the district’s budget and strategic priorities at an April finance meeting, saying the district manages roughly $700 million in annual resources and will ask voters in 2028 to renew expiring millages.

“These meetings are to engage the community on our budgeting process,” Dr. Fulmore said, introducing the district’s strategic plan and four commitments that guide spending. She emphasized transparency and long-term planning as the district prepares its FY2627 proposal.

Vil, the district’s CFO, described the revenue mix and three primary funding drivers: local revenues (sales and property/ad valorem taxes), state support through the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), and federal grants. “Local revenues represent about 60 or more percent of our funding sources each year,” Vil said, and the district uses those totals when projecting MFP receipts.

The presenters gave the following allocation figures for FY2627: about $450 million in local revenues, $218.4 million in state revenue and $25.9 million in federal funds (including Title I and IDEA). Vil also said the district borrows roughly $50 million annually to support cash flow.

Fulmore outlined the district’s four commitments—effective and connected communications; high-quality schools; operational excellence; and student, staff and community well-being—and five guiding principles including equity, achievement, transparency, efficiency and transformation. On funding priorities, she said the district directs the majority of dollars to instruction and charters: “Over 82% of our funding solely goes to high-quality schools,” Fulmore said, and she noted that figure represents a very large share of the district’s total funding when systemwide allocations are considered.

The district also described targeted investments outside the classroom. Fulmore said last year the district spent more than $23 million on student, family and staff health and wellness programs. She said the district budgets about $50 million a year for facility upgrades and maintains dashboards to inform stewardship of buildings and other assets.

Looking ahead, Fulmore warned that roughly 12.32 mills of education funding are set to expire and will require voter renewal in 2028; she said that amount represents about $68.3 million in funding. The district emphasized the need for outreach and clear communications about the millage question as part of its budget engagement.

On timing, the presenters said the district begins budget forecasting in January, meets with school leaders and community partners from February through April to build priorities, finalizes work in April and expects to post a proposed budget for public review after May 20. The district said the proposed budget book and related materials will be available on the district website and in printed form at the district reception.

The meeting closed after presenters invited questions and directed attendees to the district’s online materials and contacts for follow-up.