A Louisiana judge has certified a class action lawsuit that could affect thousands of former employees of the Orleans Parish School Board who were fired after Hurricane Katrina.

Civil District Judge Ethel Simms-Julien's 18-page ruling allows more than 8,500 former principals, teachers, central office administrators, clerical staff, social workers and others to seek monetary damages from the board and state for claims of wrongful termination and breach of contract.

The case began Oct. 28, 2005, when several employees sued to block the board from firing them.

Willie M. Zanders Sr., the plaintiffs' lead attorney, calls the ruling a "very important victory."