Gathering Wednesday in Baton Rouge, each of Louisiana’s four former governors fell into a familiar role. Kathleen Blanco was the earnest public servant, describing how she grappled with recovery in Katrina’s aftermath while facing a hostile Republican administration in Washington. Mike Foster played the ordinary Joe. What he most misses from his time in office, […]
Posted inInside the News Room
The Lens receives nonprofit designation after 26-month wait
The Lens received its official nonprofit designation from the Internal Revenue Service on Tuesday, ending a 26-month wait. The designation opens up more funding opportunities for The Lens; some foundations choose to grant money only to official 501(c)(3) organizations. It also streamlines the process for individual donations, which are tax-deductible. “This IRS declaration marks a new […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Behrman and Walker firmly oppose continued RSD oversight
Money and control are key concerns of Algiers Charter School Association officials facing the decision to switch three of the organization’s schools to Orleans Parish School Board governance, board members said Tuesday night. The charter operator has a Jan. 7 deadline to decide whether to allow high-performing schools Dwight Eisenhower Academy, Martin Behrman Charter School, […]
Posted inOpinion
9th Ward goat farmer's gripe: butting heads with powers that be
Since this article was first posted, the third paragraph from the last has been updated to reflect a connection between Goats of Progress and a fund backing Propeller. Bless my sweet wife for being so unlike me. I would have raised hell. They changed the rules at the last minute, and she was robbed. And […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Success Prep leaders celebrate one year charter extension
Despite a recent enrollment dip, Success Preparatory Academy last week celebrated a one-year charter extension granted by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. During a Dec. 4 meeting of Success Prep’s board, officials anticipated the renewal and praised state officials’ for recommending the campus stay open for at least one more year. Enrollment […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
PSC votes Thursday on reduced rate for prison calls
Photo by Eve Abrams A vote today will decide whether prisoners’ families will pay an estimated 35 percent less for calls placed from Louisiana lockups. Current rates are 15 times the cost of a normal phone service in Louisiana. The five-member Public Service Commission is slated to vote on the issue during their monthly 9 […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Group unveils Walker-Landry merger plan details
A committee tasked with crafting the fall 2013 merger of two Algiers neighborhood high schools faced heated opposition from both school communities again Saturday during a public forum held to lay out a unification plan for O. Perry Walker and L.B. Landry high schools. Saturday’s forum at Behrman Elementary School was one of several community […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Speakers at public hearing favor charters' return to elected board
Money and control are key concerns of Algiers Charter School Association officials facing the decision to switch three of the organization’s schools to Orleans Parish School Board governance, board members said Tuesday night. The charter operator has a Jan. 7 deadline to decide whether to allow high-performing schools Dwight Eisenhower Academy, Martin Behrman Charter School, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Lusher anti-bullying effort wins $10,000 award from Brees
Lusher Charter School CEO Kathy Riedlinger and High School Principal Wiley Ates announced Saturday that Lusher students’ “I Am” campaign idea had won $10,000 in the Drew Brees “Trust Your Crazy Ideas” competition, beating out St. Augustine High School, New Orleans College Prep Charter School, and Isidore Newman School. Riedlinger shared the news during the […]
Posted inSchools
Lycée Francais board bars press from meeting with parents
Board members at the embattled Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans Charter School Monday closed the doors to “anybody who is not connected with the family” of the school as they met for two hours with parents in what they insisted was not a public meeting. The closed-door session involving three board members and about […]