By Folwell Dunbar, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Over the years I have had an opportunity to conduct quality reviews of numerous charter schools here in Louisiana and throughout the country. Working with teams of national and local experts, we look at everything from leadership and assessment practices to technology integration and community engagement. […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Academic performance soars; school budget on track despite move; LPO/band concert slated
The school’s latest academic performance data show major improvements, highlighted by a school-wide reading mastery rate of 81 percent or above. Kindergarten has made extraordinary progress, with students ranked as “emerging readers” jumping from 58 to 82 percent. The data were reported by principal Michelle Douglas at the monthly meeting of the school’s board of […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
Review the agenda for the March 1 meeting here.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
City seeks to demolish cemetery cottages, replace them with concrete block structures
Correction: Based on misinformation provided by City Hall, an earlier version of this article stated incorrectly that FEMA’s March 1 meeting on the West Bank is open to the public. It is for consultants only. By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | The latest skirmish in the preservation wars: whether to demolish century-old sexton’s […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Audit looks good; fundraising strategies mulled; new faculty being interviewed
Formal review of the school’s 2011 audit topped the agenda as the board of Akili Academy gathered Feb. 27 for its monthly meeting. The audit showed that Akili passed muster in all facets of its financial bookkeeping. The board’s committee on institutional advancement reported that it met earlier in the month to review new fundraising […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board briefed on new RSD application process; musical instruments arriving by the truckload
At their monthly meeting, Feb. 25, Crocker’s board was briefed on the Recovery School District’s newly centralized application process, as well as the school’s equity report. Titled “One App”, the new application form seeks to ensure a more equitable distribution of students among schools, while still maximizing parental choice. While both Crocker and the RSD […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
East New Orleans homeowners roll out the welcome mat; enrollment drive planned
Following recent increases, Pride College Prep’s enrollment has settled at 254 after the withdrawal of three students, school leader Michael Richard reported at the board’s monthly meeting, Feb. 14. Richard also discussed a recent visit with the Kenilworth Park homeowners at which he talked up the school’s pending move into the eastern New Orleans neighborhood. […]
Posted inSchools
State school board votes to divert public money to private-school voucher program
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | The state school board on Monday backed Gov. Bobby’s Jindal’s push for a statewide voucher program. Pending approval from the legislature, the voucher program will tap the pool of money the state doles out to districts on a per-student basis. Dubbed the Minimum Foundation Program, that pool […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Panel to tout, encourage whistleblowers
By Tom Gogola, The Lens staff writer | From Erin Brockovich to WikiLeaks, whistleblowers play a critical role in forcing transparency and accountability on corporate and public-sector shenanigans. New Orleans has had more than its share of shenanigans worthy of whistleblowing in recent years, from police brutality after Hurricane Katrina to unpacking the slippery utterances […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
The NOMMA board agenda is reprinted below: New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy Board Meeting February 28¸ 2012 6:00 PM Open Meeting Meeting Agenda 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of minutes 3. Reports and Recommendations A. Finance – Budget Update 4. Old Business A. Building Contract Update B. Budget Policy 5. New Business A. Grievance […]