Board looks for new members, will discuss i3 grant app on Sunday

Einstein Charter School’s board of directors plan to meet again within the week to discuss the i3 grant.

The board is applying for an i3 grant, which could give them the ability to take over a failing school next year.  The grant is due Nov. 5.

Board President Ryan Bennett appointed Kathy Litchfield to the board prior to Tuesday’s meeting. The board now has four members; three shy of the seven required by the bylaws.  Bennett hopes to reach seven members within the month.

Principal Shawn Toranto said the school received an unqualified opinion from its yearly audit.  The only issue noted in the audit, she said, was the timely preparation and approval of board minutes.

The board had approval of minutes from Sept. 4, Sept. 11 and Oct. 16 meetings as items on its agenda Tuesday night.  The board approved minutes from Oct. 16 but held off on voting on the other minutes because of some confusion.  Bennett said the board does not currently have an elected secretary.

Toranto said the school received a “C” grade from the state for its 102.1 school performance score.  She said the school’s score increased 8.1 points from last year, and exceeded the school’s growth target of seven points.

Members Bennett, Litchfield, Laurin Jacobsen and Chuck Gasho were present.  The meeting began at 6:05 p.m. and adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

On Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. the board will meet at CC’s Coffee House at 2800 Esplanade Ave. to review the i3 grant application.

The board will hold a six-hour retreat on Dec. 1.

Marta Jewson

Marta Jewson is an independent reporter based in New Orleans. Marta has covered New Orleans schools for 15 years through the nation's largest education reform experiment and was instrumental in holding schools accountable to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools in the city. She focuses on education, health and climate.

She earned her journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin.