A request to demolish the faded St. Charles mansion at the southwest corner of Valence Street was heard before the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee this week. And the result, after much debate pro and con: limbo. The demolition is sought by Jack Ryan, who has an option to purchase the property and wants to build […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
After misstep, Lycee leads the way to full compliance with state law
Back in June, as the Lycee Francais Charter School board prepared to take a vote on the school’s 2012-13 school budget, a reporter from The Lens told board members that they had not given proper public notice that the vote was pending, a violation of state law. The board members promptly took action, and today […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Adding 9th graders + move to Gretna = healthy fund balance for coming year
Milestone/SABIS will enjoy a healthy end-of-year fund balance, thanks to the addition of ninth-graders and the school’s move from Uptown New Orleans to Gretna, the board announced at its annual budget hearing. Next year’s budget is $4.7 million, a 30 percent increase from last year. The 2012-2013 budget hearing, held August 20, was attended by […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Budget hearing and board meeting agendas released
View the budget hearing agenda here, and the meeting agenda here.
Posted inOpinion
A former New Orleanian glances back across the pond from London
Outside the bubble, the perception of New Orleans continues to improve. Returning to South London in April after 18 months as a criminal justice reporter at The Lens, I was reluctant to pass snap judgment on New Orleans. Apart from the good friends I made, I loved Mardi Gras as much as any sane human […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Budget and board meeting agendas released
The August 23 budget meeting and board meeting agenda has been reprinted on this .pdf.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Neighbors' suit stymies renovation work, but return to B'way campus still on track
Not enough members showed up to comprise a quorum at Audubon Charter School’s monthly board meeting, Aug. 18. The result was a relatively short and uneventful meeting at which it was not possible even to formally accept the minutes from the July meeting. One topic of discussion was a civil complaint that has halted renovation […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Retreat sparks discussion of school goals, board members' roles
At an August 18 board retreat, members of the board that governs Crescent City Schools discussed long-term goals and end of the year reports for the two schools they run, and defined their own roles and responsibilities. Board members also heard from Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools executive director Caroline Roemer Shirley, who discussed […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Justice Dept. says getting groups involved will slow consent decree
Four organizations seeking greater involvement in the implementation of the recently signed federal consent decree regarding the New Orleans Police Department took their case to U.S. District Court today. In a courtroom packed with criminal-justice advocates, the Police Association of New Orleans, the Fraternal Order of Police, Community United for Change and the Office of […]
Posted inEnvironment
If you suspect illegal lead-paint sanding, who ya gonna call?
Deputy Mayor Michelle Thomas and acting Director of the Department of Safety and Permits Pura Bascos addressed a City Council committee to discuss the permitting process for the removal of lead paint, but they didn’t have all the answers. Although a city ordinance was passed in 2001 detailing the proper procedure for the removal of […]