By Tom Gogola, The Lens staff writer | It was the eve of National Lemonade Day in the state of Louisiana – and the day that the notorious Orleans Parish Prison House of Detention was emptied of its last prisoners. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman invited reporters to the corner of Perdido and South Dupre […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations, Land Use
Katrina Cottages: Years late and $1 million over budget in the 9th Ward
An emergency housing program finally reaches the market at a cost half again as high as budgeted.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Why the hurry, Congressman? A legal payoff lay ahead
Lee Zurik’s Fox 8 report on allegedly fraudulent oil leases owned by Gov. Huey Long’s “Win or Lose” corporation, worth hundreds of millions in royalties over the years, and passed down to Long’s friends and descendants, is a fascinating investigation. Remember that Long, the Kingfish, rose to fame campaigning against Big Oil. But once in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Public Defender, sheriff resolve lawsuit over attorney visits
By Tom Gogola, The Lens staff writer | The Orleans Parish Public Defender’s Office and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office resolved a lawsuit Thursday with a deal designed to end persistent complaints about a lack of attorney-client privacy at the Orleans Parish Prison. Following a private meeting with lawyers Thursday morning, Civil District Court Judge […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Will repairs be finished in time? Receivables near half-million mark; bylaws revamped
Members of the Einstein Charter School board of directors approved new bylaws at their monthly meeting, May 1. The board had been revising the bylaws throughout the school year. Member Laurin Jacobsen reviewed changes with the board prior to the vote: Terms will last two years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Members may […]
Posted inSquandered Heritage
A blog reborn: The 'heritage' that gave rise to The Lens
Newcomers to this site may not be aware that before there was The Lens there was a blog called Squandered Heritage. With help from a wee band of fellow zealots, I devoted Squandered Heritage to the task of chronicling the parlous state of the built environment in New Orleans post-Katrina, with particular attention to the city’s priceless residential architecture.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Enrollment jumps and wait-list grows; MacFetters credits 'One App' and hard work
Akili Academy is at full capacity with a waiting list of students seeking admission to the school, board members learned at their monthly meeting, April 30. Akili principal Julie MacFetters credited the Recovery School District’s newly centralized “One App” process with providing the quick feedback on projected enrollment. The school averages about 60 students per […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Operating costs after move to Frantz site remain a mystery, slowing budget projections
Directors of the Benjamin Mays Preparatory School say they’re in the dark when it comes to anticipating operating costs they’ll face next semester after taking over the building formerly occupied by Frantz Elementary. That revelation was part of the discussion of next year’s budget during the board’s monthly meeting, April 30. Operating costs, including heating […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Monthly board meeting canceled because majority of members fail to show up
Only three of eight members showed up for the Treme Charter School Association’s monthly board meeting, April 28. After waiting about an hour for other members to appear, the board, which runs McDonogh 42 Elementary Charter School cancelled the meeting for lack of a quorum. A message was sent to members last week in an […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Optional retirement program approved for teachers and staff; Karr and Harte remain in fold
Trustees of the Algiers Charter School Association have approved the Hartman Group as provider of the optional 403(b) retirement program for school employees. The approval, at the board’s monthly meeting, April 26, followed a state attorney general’s opinion earlier in the week that the Louisiana Constitution precludes charter schools from leaving the Teachers’ Retirement System […]