March 24, 2022
Henderson Lewis, Jr.’s, Bold Leadership in New Orleans
Henderson Lewis, Jr., will step down from his position as superintendent of NOLA Public Schools at the end of the 2021–2022 school year.

Chiefs for Change joins NOLA Public Schools in honoring Superintendent Henderson Lewis, Jr., for his service to the community. The following letter from our CEO, Mike Magee, will be presented to Dr. Lewis at the Orleans Parish School Board meeting on March 24, 2022.

Dear NOLA Public Schools Community,

As Henderson Lewis, Jr.’s, tenure as superintendent of NOLA Public Schools nears a close, the nation’s eyes are on his work and the transformational change that he has led over the past seven years. Dr. Lewis didn’t just help to produce results that will benefit the lives of thousands of students and change the trajectory of a generation of children in New Orleans, he provided steady, innovative, inclusive leadership that is admired by educators across the country.

As one of the youngest and longest tenured superintendents ever in New Orleans, Dr. Lewis delivered lasting policy change. From overseeing the 2018 unification of New Orleans’ public schools with the state’s schools, to adding robust school options and models, to ensuring efficiency and accountability, he made striving for academic excellence core to public education in New Orleans.

Dr. Lewis also brought people together — and thanks to his leadership during the pandemic, New Orleans was a national model for how to reopen schools. He took smart steps — from making Covid tests widely available to securing and requiring vaccines for students ages five and up — at a time when the entire city was counting on him.

Amid all of the unforeseen challenges, Dr. Lewis kept equity as the cornerstone of his agenda, advancing the conversation both locally and nationally. He has always believed that children should see themselves in their classrooms and their schools, and he led the School Renaming Initiative, which resulted in the renaming of 21 school buildings in 2021. He also oversaw the overhaul of the common application process, ensuring students from all families — regardless of their race or socioeconomic status — have access to a high-quality education.

Dr. Lewis leaves New Orleans in a far stronger position than when he began this work. The community has a bright future, one that is committed to lifting up every student and giving them a fair shot at an excellent education and opportunities to reach their full potential. We are all indebted to Dr. Lewis for his exceptional leadership and service. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Mike Magee