A few surprise candidates qualified to run for the Orleans Parish School Board today, the last day to do so. Only one incumbent, Seth Bloom, is getting a free pass; the other six are facing at least one challenger. Some qualified just hours before the deadline. Long-time parent advocate Karran Harper Royal was one, completing […]
Posted inLand Use, Squandered Heritage
Lead-based paint sanding, health concerns to be discussed
It seems everyone with a child in this city has had a wake-up call regarding lead levels. You take your kid for a check-up, they do a lead test and – boom – your world is turned upside down while you try to determine what’s causing the dangerously high numbers. The city requirements for lead-paint […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Franklin students in N.O. East still looking for transportation answers
While not on the formal agenda, transportation issues came to the forefront of the Ben Franklin High School board meeting on August 16. Board members listened to members in attendance from the Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association, known as VAYLA, and addressed their concerns about bus service. VAYLA is representing a number of Ben Franklin […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
After first week of school, KIPP enrollment below expectations
Lower than expected enrollment figures were revealed at the KIPP New Orleans board meeting August 16. They showed that, after the first week of classes, KIPP enrollment is four percent under the budgeted student count. Some board members worried that missing out on expected per-pupil funding from the state may affect the organization’s finances in an already […]
Posted inSchools
Ethics board: Kira Orange Jones can stay on BESE, run TFA
State school board member Kira Orange Jones will continue to serve after the Louisiana Board of Ethics ruled this morning that there’s no conflict of interest with her working as executive director of a nonprofit that contracts with the board. Jones runs the Greater New Orleans office of Teach For America, which frequently enters into […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Miller-McCoy balances budget for 2012-2013 school year
The Miller-McCoy finance committee hosted a public hearing to review their proposed budget for the upcoming school year. The proposed budget shows a net income of $679, just breaking the school out of the red, but leaving little room for error. Major expenses include $2.5 million for salaries, followed by $1 million for purchased professional […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sheriff, council, administration want to change OPP financing
New Orleans officials have been diligently working behind the scenes to end for next year the Orleans Parish Sheriff Office’s longtime per-prisoner budgeting system, and several said publicly this week that they’re optimistic a change is at hand. But before they can work on the 2013 budget, Sheriff Marlin Gusman said he needs more money […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
CEO gets salary bump; board makes policy changes
At their August board meeting, the board that governs Crescent City Schools approved a 20 percent salary hike for their chief executive officer after an hour-long executive session. They also approved revisions to their finance and operations manual and a new conflict of interest policy. On July 1, chief executive officer Kate Mehok assumed responsibility […]
Posted inOpinion, Schools
Spare the rod and spoil the school? OK, then I need spanking lessons
Better paddles have holes that whistle. photo: Wesley Fryer, Flickr creative commons “Justice must always question itself, just as society can exist only by means of the work it does on itself and on its institutions.” — Michel Foucault I need some fatherly advice on how to spank my children. See, the other day my […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Temporary campus lined up for next year; enrollment projected to reach target
The school remains on track to move to a temporary site for the 2013-2014 school year, the Sophie B. Wright Charter School board announced at its monthly meeting, Aug. 15. Pending renovation of the Napoleon Avenue building, the school will occupy portable classrooms at the former James Derham Junior High School in the Hoffman Triangle […]