Few would doubt that Louisiana needs both economic development and environmental rejuvenation. At Myrtle Grove, a small river town in Plaquemines Parish, those imperatives make for a critical dilemma: whether to put a priority on rebuilding the coastal land that has been melting into the Gulf of Mexico for decades or capitalize on the state’s […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
New facility renovation nearly complete; after-school program proves popular
Encore Academy’s board of directors met Sept. 25 and toured the school’s new home at 2301 Marengo St., shared with Crocker Elementary. School leader Terri Smith said the academy’s enrollment stands at 191 students, about 15 fewer than projected capacity. The school accommodates pre-kindergarten through third-grade students as well as fifth graders. Smith said teachers […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board eyes space for a new playground and gym; enrollment at capacity
With a finances in good shape and a new playground in prospect, directors of the Morris Jeff Community School declared the year off to a promising start at their monthly meeting Sept. 20. In her financial report, board treasurer Melissa Jagers said August expenses had run $27,352 over budget but were expected to even out […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
New Beginnings board meeting agenda
Agenda is reprinted below, as it was received: Agenda Welcome & Opening Remarks (1 minute) – Dr. Timothy Ryan, Chairman Call for Quorum (2 minutes) – Dr. Timothy Ryan Action Items: Vote to accept the agenda for September 26, 2012 Vote to accept minutes of September 20, 2012 Public Comments (2 minutes per person) Reports […]
Posted inSchools
Orleans schools struggling to turn credits into dollars for rebuilding
In a rare gathering, the committee tasked with overseeing the $2 billion master plan for rebuilding and renovating Orleans Parish schools damaged by Hurricane Katrina met Tuesday night to discuss construction progress. The conversation, which largely covered status updates and funding sources, is one that’s been had before, albeit in different settings. The Orleans Parish […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Feds allowed to join lawsuit against OPP; agreement expected
A federal judge today allowed the U.S. Department of Justice to join a lawsuit against Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, a necessary step toward a likely consent decree that will govern reforms at the sheriff’s prison complex. When the government announced its move Monday, Gusman responded with a news release that said he supports the […]
Posted inSchools
Live blog: Master Plan Oversight Committee for Orleans Parish schools
The Master Plan Oversight Committee, which monitors Orleans Parish’s school facilities master plan, is meeting Tuesday evening for the first time in a year. According to the agenda, committee members will give an update on all revenue sources and expenses, and they’ll provide status updates on buildings completed and in progress. I’ll live-blog the meeting […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Fall break days cancelled due to Isaac; school passes on OneApp
At its meeting September 22, 2012, the F.A.M.E. board of Audubon Charter School approved the Orleans Parish School Board’s Office of Civil Rights Resolution. The OCRR mandates that every OPSB school must formally adopt the OCR’s procedural safeguards and grievance procedures. “It is relative mostly to special ed students,” said principal Janice Dupuy. “It’s information […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board preps for all-encompassing school review; $3.4 million received for improvements
On Sept. 20, the board at Ben Franklin High School received an in-depth look at the upcoming school review process to be conducted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The board discussed enrollment projections, as well as $3.4 million which the school recently received from the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB). Shannon […]