Crescent Leadership Academy presented its revised and final budget yesterday to board members for approval.
The budget was presented by CJ Bower, and she explained that there were a few minor updates since the preliminary budget was first presented to the board in June.
Bower said that an additional trainer was added to the budget.
“I think that’s going to be really key this year, to make sure that all of our teachers and staff are prepared for the type of kids that we have here,” Bower said.
The school anticipates $88,000 in revenue this year.
Bower said the school is waiting to receive $645,000 in funding from New Schools for New Orleans, and has been told multiple times that it would receive it.
Philip Rebowe of Carrs Riggs & Ingram also attended the meeting. He provided an overview of the audit process, which the firm will conduct.
Principal Chauncey Nash reported that the school is now 100 percent staffed. The first day of school started with 80 students in attendance. Crescent Leadership Academy is expecting an influx of additional students.
Crescent Leadership Academy is in early talks with Southern University of New Orleans for a program called Early Start, where high school juniors and seniors are eligible to take remedial and first-level college courses for high-school and college credit, at no cost.
Eligibility is based on students’ ACT scores. The school hopes to partner with Southern University for ACT prep for its students also. They project that 35 students will participate in the program.
The school appointed a head football coach and will have its first football game on Sept. 26.
Tracy Joseph, Crescent Leadership Academy education director, requested that the school join the Louisiana Charter School Association, which provides professional development, resources and support for charter schools. The board approved this action unanimously.
Board members Helen Berrigan, Jim Letten, Kevin Maney and Allison Albert attended the meeting. Maurice Lightfoot and Marlon Ford listened in by telephone.
