Pride College Prep’s impending move to eastern New Orleans was a focus of discussion at the board of directors’ monthly meeting, April 10.

In other business, the board welcomed a prospective new member, Linda Launey. Launey will participate in board activities for a month while she decides whether to accept the position. In the meantime, the board is drafting a curriculum for new members to acquaint them with the duties that come with board membership.

The school director’s report noted that student academic performance appears to be on track; upcoming tests will provide a more exact picture of progress or the lack of it. The rate of student suspensions has fallen since the beginning of the year, a positive development.

The coming move to eastern New Orleans will provide the school with needed room but is requiring a stepped-up commitment to community engagement and the hiring of additional staff for a potentially larger student body.

Pride and its board have begun to meet both challenges. Board members have been in touch with community leaders to spread the word that Prep is on the way. Eight potential staff members have been identified.

In other updates, the finance committee reported that positive balance sheets and stable revenues should be in place through the move and that the school is exploring the most affordable way to purchase computers for the new school.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the office annex.