Akili Academy has found a new principal, ending a six-month search.
Allison Lowe, a New Orleans native who serves as the school’s fourth- through sixth-grade director of curriculum and instruction, will take the role July 1.
Lowe replaces Julie MacFetters, who left the principal’s position in December to become a second-grade teacher. MacFetters’ resignation came two months* after Akili’s 2013 school performance score was released, showing a decline of more than 10 points from 2012.
Crescent City Schools CEO Kate Mehok served as the school’s interim principal during the search. Crescent City runs Akili, Harriet Tubman Charter School, and Paul Habans Charter School.
Though this is Lowe’s second year with Crescent City Schools, she has more than 11 years of teaching experience, in public schools in Virginia and at the University of New Orleans. This is her first year running a school.
“I am humbled and honored to serve our great scholars and families at Akili Academy,” Lowe said in a statement. “I am looking forward to seeing what our scholars will achieve next year, and in many years to come.”
*Correction: A previous version of this story said Julie MacFetters resigned two weeks after Akili’s performance scores were announced. MacFetters resigned two months after that event. (June 10, 2014)
AKILI: What was Lowe teaching at the University of New Orleans and what are her professional education credentials? I haven’t visited the LDOE website yet, but I sure hope she’s in the data base!
AKILI’s NEW PRINCIPAL – Allison Ann Lowe’s LEVEL 1 LA Teaching Certificate (413224) expired in 2006 (Valid for 3/18/2003 – 3/18/2006). Are my eyes deceiving me or is that over eight years ago? Lowe has been at Akili for at least two years according to the article. Not only am I wondering how Ms. Lowe (2002 B.A., University of New Orleans; certified to teach ENGLISH Grades 6-12) was functioning as a Curriculum Director at the school, but what is more unbelieveable is that it took Kate Mehok, CEO of Crescent City Schools, 6 months to ferret out this gem to “run the school.” Aside from the obvious issues related to charter networks, such as Crescent City Schools, of placing and promoting unqualified individuals into teaching and administrative positions at these charter schools, it is an affront to all individuals who have pursued degrees and worked hard in the field of professional education. Mehok’s “network” has been rewarded (with more schools to run) by a corrupt educational system in a corrupt state, and it is widespread. “Louisiana” should shutter all Colleges of Education at its 4-year accredited universities, because they have been shown to be worthless and not how individuals are entering or being promoted in the field. Louisiana has shot itself in the foot again!