On Saturday, September 3rd we welcomed the Williams family, guests, dignitaries, and members of our school community to the renaming of our school building to Dr. Everett J. Williams, Jr.
Our school has deep ties to Dr. Williams. As an area superintendent, he appointed Kathy Riedlinger as principal of the elementary school. He was behind the expansion of the middle school to the courthouse on Carrollton Avenue and was an inspiration to Ms. Riedlinger when she opened the high school after Katrina. Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, we became the first Blue Ribbon School in Orleans Parish and one of the first magnet schools.
Dr. Williams went on to lead the expansion of magnet schools in the city providing quality alternatives for African American students. Benjamin Franklin Elementary and Lake Forest are examples. He said, “Public schools should serve all children and diverse schools prevent minority isolation.”
We are proud of our school and honored to have Dr. Everett J. Williams, Jr. be the new name of the elementary campus.