The head of the Algiers Charter Schools Association is aiming for big jumps in enrollment at two member schools: L.B. Landry-O. Perry Walker High School and Algiers Technology Academy.
Landry-Walker’s enrollment increased significantly this year when the two formerly separate West Bank high schools merged. Adrian Morgan, chief executive officer of the Algiers Charter School Association, told the board’s Feb. 27 meeting that the school, built for 1,00 students and currently accommodating 1,170, could comfortably handle an enrollment of 1,300.
Morgan also hopes to boost enrollment next year at the technology academy from 241 to 400 students. This year the school’s curriculum was overhauled to focus on graphic design and information technology as well as traditional technologies.
Facilities committee chair John Edwards reported that the Recovery School District has approved $7.86 million in facilities updates for several charter association schools. These include a new parking lot at William J. Fischer Accelerated Academy; lighting, window and roof repairs at McDonogh 32 Literacy Charter School, and new modulars and air conditioning units at Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy. Edwards said RSD was asked on an emergency basis to replace condemned heating units at the technology academy. That work was to be completed before the other projects came up for approval at Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
In other facilities news, board member D’Juan Hernandez said an agreement has been drafted to remove a covenant banning construction on the plot of land intended for the new Martin Behrman Charter School, a few blocks away from the Opelousas Avenue campus now in use.