The ARISE Academy board expects a 26 percent increase in 2012-13 revenues to be offset by spending for new staff to instruct additional students, a growing number of them students with special needs. The annual budget hearing was held Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. Board members Jen Walcott, Larry Eustis, Elaine Reyes, Katie Beck and […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Big jump in performance score anticipated as school awaits OK on charter extension
At the board’s first meeting of the new school year, ARISE Academy principal Andrew Shahan reported that he expects an 11 point increase in the school’s performance score when the state releases final figures in several weeks. Currently, the school’s performance score is 67.1, short of the state’s acceptable minimum of 75. ARISE is in […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Draft budget projects trimmed expenses and a surplus despite enrollment gain
The recently released 2012-13 budget for Lagniappe Academies projects a year-end surplus, with expenses dipping even as enrollment rises. With revenues projected at $2.1 and expenses at $2 million, Lagniappe envisions an $87,654 surplus at the end of the coming year. It would allow the school to make up for last year’s deficit and begin […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Crime chief proposing more money for pretrial screening
New Orleans’ criminal justice commissioner said Wednesday he wants to more than triple the city money provided to the Vera Institute for Justice’s pretrial services program at Orleans Parish Prison. The program is designed to help assess the flight risk and danger to the community that an arrestee poses. The organization’s recommendation is forwarded to […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
After misstep, Lycee leads the way to full compliance with state public-notice 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 inGovernment & Politics, Land Use, Squandered Heritage
Demolition of St. Charles Avenue mansion debated and deferred
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 […]