The city should ignore the advice of its inspector general and not merge Municipal Court and Traffic Court because too many city employees would lose their jobs in the interest of government efficiency, the head of Traffic Court said today. The candid remarks from Chief Judge Robert Jones came as New Orleans City Councilwoman Susan […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
State auditor's report reveals more details about misuse of recovery money
A little-noticed January report from the state Legislative Auditor’s Office provides more insight into disgraced City Councilman Jon Johnson’s illegal dealings, to which he pleaded guilty in federal court today. The report shows that a nonprofit run by Johnson wrote checks to Johnson’s sister and a number of people who couldn’t be found to explain […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Budget for 2012-13 anticipates more students – and higher building costs
Robert Moton Charter School’s operating budget is increasing 53 percent, propelled by a rising enrollment and the school’s first full year in a larger building. Spending in the 2012-2013 school year is anticipated to be $2.7 million, compared to last year’s $1.7 million. The school moved in February to a building on Gentilly Boulevard, leased […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Projected 2012-13 budget holds steady, despite doubling of OPSB use fee
Warren Easton Charter School’s proposed budget for the 2012-2013 school year shows little change from last year. Expenditures will rise $113,000, a 1.6 percent increase. Notable differences include a doubling of the projected use fee, for an increase of $79,422. The use fee is determined by the Orleans Parish School Board and covers flood and […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations, Land Use
Councilman connected to nine blighted buildings in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood
Scenes of neglect are ubiquitous in the flood-scarred Lower 9th Ward, but nine buildings in particular have caught the attention of neighbors since the fall because of their connection to a City Councilman.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
School board agrees to put archived meetings online
Archived videos of Orleans Parish School Board meetings will be available on the board’s website, members decided at their Tuesday night meeting, but not without spirited debate. An amended disadvantaged-business policy was also approved, and the board agreed to the deletion of 21 positions from the payroll. In what’s become a customary alliance, board members […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Obama linked to civil rights heroes – in Alabama, not Louisiana
A detail from the Alabama tourism pamphlet links President Obama to heroes of the civil rights era. l While stretching my legs at one of the Alabama “Welcome Centers” along Interstate 10 last summer, I browsed through a formidable collection of pamphlets touting the state’s various tourist destinations. I’d never seen so many travel brochures […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Top 10 academic ranking in key courses complemented by steady growth of AP
With 2011-2012 final grades and advanced-placement data in hand, New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School continues to show steady improvement on an already strong record of student performance, board members learned at their monthly meeting, July 12. Sci High ranked in the top 10 citywide on all four course exams: sixth in English, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Slight drop in overall spending projected, despite jump in some budget categories
Revenues and expenses are expected to hold steady as McDonogh City Park Academy prepares for the 2012-13 school year. The school projects $4,155,180 in available funds and $4,071,986 in expenses for the year – a one percent drop in both categories compared with last year. The projections are based on a student count of 395, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Treme Charter School Assoc. withdraws, citing progress, but not enough of it
On Wednesday afternoon, in a corner of the East New Orleans Public Library, the Treme Charter School Association held their final board meeting, ending a five-year struggle by the community group to upgrade a troubled elementary school. “Looking back we needed more money and more time,” said former board president Rosalyn Smith. “When you go […]