The International School of Louisiana has been awarded a new Type 1 charter to open what will be one of a very few charter schools in Jefferson Parish, the school’s board learned at its monthly meeting, Jan. 4.

A location has yet to be selected, as Jefferson Parish reportedly is in the process of shutting down several of schools, one of which will be assigned to ISL, the board learned. A Jan. 25 meeting of the ISL board will feature a presentation about the new school, which is scheduled to open in August.

Two other ISL charter applications — one for a Type 5 (Recovery School District) charter and another a Type 3 (Jefferson Parish) charter — were not recommended for approval. ISL’s application for a Type 1 charter in Orleans Parish has yet to be decided upon.

Board president Andrew Yon reported on a recent meeting by the Charter Board Council, which he described as an “informal group of board presidents that meets to discuss charter issues in the city.”  The meeting, also attended by Recovery School District superintendent John White and ISL board-member Barbara Griffin, focused on BESE’s recent round of Type 5 charter decisions during which ISL’s application was turned down.

Yon said BESE had accepted all of the recommendations for Type 5 charters made by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. “They did not question or reject any. It felt like an abdication of BESE’s responsibilities to a third party,” Yon said. “It doesn’t seem appropriate.”

The meeting marked the beginning of David Bordson-Bozzo’s three-year term on the board. As evidence of his dedication, he was complimented for having attended many meetings prior to being elected.

Others present at the meeting included board vice president Matt Amoss, treasurer Charlie Hadley, secretary Barbara Griffin, head of schools/CEO Sean Wilson, plus Duane Drucker, John Wettermark, Mike Lappa, David Napoleon, Stephanie Davis and Dominique Wilson.