The board of directors who run Martin Luther King School of Science and Technology, as well as the Joseph Craig Elementary, approve budgets for the 2012-13 school year at their meeting July 19. Discussion began with the budget for Craig, which the Friends of King School board begins operating in the coming year. Board members […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Day after critical report from IG, criticized judge takes time off
It was a bustling morning in Judge Paul Sens’ courtroom at the New Orleans Municipal Court building on Broad Street. A batch of inmates in orange jumpsuits was present, as were lawyers, court clerks and security officers. But it was Judge Mark Shea sitting on the bench where Sens should have been. A New Orleans […]
Posted inOpinion
Busting Jon Johnson shows early promise of a new kind of news
Councilman Jon Johnson’s indictment and abrupt resignation last week caught political observers off guard, but the gist of his wrongdoing was disclosed by my former colleagues at The Lens more than a year ago. The Times-Picayune, which recently announced savage newsroom cuts as part of a transition away from daily print publication, only managed to […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Randall takes over as school's new leader; reduced outsourcing promises big savings
A two-month search has ended with the selection of Pamela Randall as Intercultural’s new leader. The board introduced her at its monthly meeting, July 19. Randall takes the reins from Dayphne Burnett whose contract was not renewed following a series of controversial decisions. Board members said they were particularly irked by her dismissal of the […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
King budget for 2012-13 nears $8 million; Craig expects to spend $3.7 million
The Friends of King School Board released its budget for the 2012-13 school year at Martin Luther King Science and Technology Charter. It also released a budget for Joseph A. Craig Elementary, which the board will begin running in the coming year. Based on an anticipated enrollment of 685 students, the school expects to receive […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
Review the July board meeting agenda here.
Posted inCriminal Justice
IG says Muni Court hired judge's relatives, building "dynasty"
Family members of Municipal Court Judge Paul Sens have earned more than $1.2 million working at the court since 2010, according to a public letter released today by New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux. Quatrevaux reported that 18 Sens family members have worked at the court since 2000, including seven present employees working in a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
NOPD has federal oversight; sheriff next? Holder won't say
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder offered a curiously nonresponsive answer to the question that was on many people’s mind Tuesday afternoon: Now that the New Orleans Police Department’s consent decree with the federal government has been finalized, is the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office next? Holder was joined by city officials, federal agents and police brass […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Hiring procedures: way too complicated or a valid safeguard against bad apples?
The board’s governance committee met July 19 to discuss the policy manual for the all three International School of Louisiana campuses. The committee focused in particular on hiring procedures, some of which were condemned as overly bureaucratic. Among other stipulations, applicants must undergo “a minimum of two rounds of interviews with more than one current […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Councilwoman surprised by new jail talk; could house another 600
City Councilwoman Susan Guidry told The Lens recently that a major new jailhouse under discussion between the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Landrieu Administration was news – unwelcome news – to her. The “Phase III Concept” jail plan would add yet another FEMA-funded lockup to the Orleans Parish Prison campus, with between 600 and […]