The Orleans Public Education Network is hosting a series of community discussions on the future of public school governance in New Orleans.

The series intends to ensure the community is heard in the governance conversation, network executive director Deidre Johnson Burel said.

The meetings will be held each Saturday during the month of October, to determine the community’s education values and identify a school governance model that embodies those values, Burel said.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Meeting One: Visioning for the Future of Schools: What’s in The Law?

Saturday, Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mahalia Jackson School, 2405 Jackson Ave.

Meeting Two: The Challenge of Effective Leadership

Saturday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Andrew Wilson Community School, 3617 Gen. Pershing St.

Meeting Three: Building a Model that Works for New Orleans

Saturday, Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Knights of Columbus, 6254 Vicksburg St.

Meeting Four: Community Dialogue and Decision-Making (The Vote)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Christian Unity Baptist Church, 1700 Conti St., and O. Perry Walker High School, 2832 General Meyer Ave.

Transportation, childcare, and lunch will be provided. For more information, contact 504-821-4004.

Jessica Williams stays on top of the city's loosely organized collection of public schools, with a special emphasis on charter schools. In 2011 she was recognized by the Press Club of New Orleans for her...