Over a year ago, I profiled Zack Kopplin’s now well-known effort to repeal the ill-named 2008 Louisiana Science Education Act. In short, the law permits the introduction of pseudo-scientific materials into classrooms that cast doubt on established theories such as evolution. Throughout his senior year in high school, Kopplin defended science education in Louisiana from […]
Posted inSquandered Heritage
Demolition continues unabated
Yesterday while driving down Earhart Blvd. I came across a demolition which was being performed with no dust mitigation. The structure was a substantial Church bldg and generated a large amount of dust and debris.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Saints bounty mystery: Why such a puny return on such a big risk?
While I let some topical themes marinate, here are some quick thoughts and links to other posts I find interesting: 1) Tulane grad and conservative new media innovator Andrew Breitbart died suddenly last week. Lamar White at Cenlamar was the last person to tweet to him, and recounts their conversation in a post titled “Proudly, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
State school board tentatively approves charter changes
Next school year, the boards of Akili Academy and Harriet Tubman Charter School will combine. Lagniappe Academy is cutting back on its enrollment, and Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans is set to expand. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today approved these changes in and three others during a committee meeting. Their actions […]
Posted inSchools
State school board tentatively approves changes to charters, including merger
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Next school year, the boards of Akili Academy and Harriet Tubman Charter School will combine. Lagniappe Academy is cutting back on its enrollment, and Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans is set to expand. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today approved these changes in and […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board veep quits; school counting on $370G reimbursement; seeks to replace portables
Einstein Charter School’s board of directors announced the resignation of former vice president Roland Doucette as they gathered March 6 for their monthly meeting. Doucette submitted his letter of resignation a day after spirited debate at February’s board meeting. Board President Ramona Perkins acknowledged that his resignation was a big loss, especially in light of […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Would-be bidder miffed as NORA snatches 7th Ward property from the auction block
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Cashier’s check in hand, local developer Peter Gardner showed up at Tuesday’s sheriff’s auction eager to bid on real estate – in particular a raised cottage on Governor Nicholls Street in the Seventh Ward. Dozens of rundown properties are offered to the highest bidder at bi-monthly auctions […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Amid benefits uncertainties, board tells staff: We're not going to leave you in the lurch
Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect the fact that board president Cassandra Bookman did not say the quote previously attributed to her. It has also been amended and corrected to reflect key points about teachers retirement benefits. The Algiers Charter School Association met Tuesday night with a crowd of about 100 parents, teachers, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Low school score does not doom charter extension – but improvements are needed
Correction: An earlier edition of this article was revised to eliminate two errors: Success Prep is up for an extension of its charter, not its renewal. And the added process of evaluation since the Abramson High School scandal will focus on boards as entities of school governance, not the performance of individual board members. At […]