Budget projections have held up and each of the five schools in the expanding FirstLine network are operating with a surplus of roughly $30,000, finance committee chairman Stephen Rosenthal told fellow board members at their monthly meeting, April 24. The strong balances have been realized despite unpredictable drops in attendance and related revenue, especially at […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
School looks to profit from Fest parking; smooth start to revamped application process
Five members of the Langston Hughes Academy board gathered on April 24 but in the absence of several members, including finance committee member Paul Pechon, did not formally convene a monthly meeting. The school’s chief financial officer, Adrian Morgan, delivered a brief management report highlighting positive early returns from the first phase of the centralized […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Head to take at-large seat immediately — even though it costs her a shot at 2 full terms
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Defying political speculation, Stacy Head told The Lens Wednesday she plans to take office as one of the City Council’s two at-large members before May 7, meaning she would not be eligible for two full terms after this partial term is over. “I think it is important […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board discusses celebrations of ethnicity, questions quality of cafeteria food
Directors of Intercultural Charter School were advised at their April meeting that individual financial disclosure forms must be delivered to the Louisiana Board of Ethics by May 15. Board member Tap Bui reported on attending a luncheon at which John White, the state’s superintendent of education, discussed his newly inaugurated Louisiana Believes program. Developed as […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
KIPP discusses contract extension, school enrollment
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer, and Kelsey Foster, charter school reporter | One of the schools under the KIPP New Orleans brand is up for a contract extension this year. The school’s performance history, including a less-than-favorable 2011 financial review, was up for discussion at a recent board meeting.The state education department has […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Planning chief storms out of closed session called to evaluate her performance
Yolanda Rodriguez, long-time executive director of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, stormed out of a closed executive session 20 minutes after it began Tuesday afternoon. Commission members did not elaborate on Rodriguez’ evident annoyance, and she could not be reached for comment. A day earlier, commission chairman Craig Mitchell had informed Rodriguez via email […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Building plan approved despite questions about number of classrooms; charter renewal looms
The board of Miller-McCoy Academy met on April 23 to discuss next month’s charter renewal process. The board expects their financial statements, facilities and state test scores to be evaluated before an extension of the charter is approved. The facilities and finance committees both expressed confidence in their ability to meet Recovery School District standards, but no […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board agrees to share new building with Encore elementary; week of intense testing ends
The board of Crocker Arts and Technology School voted unanimously at their monthly meeting, April 21, to allow Encore Academy to share Crocker’s new space at 2301 Marengo St. for the next two years, a decision backed by the Recovery School District but left to the board’s discretion. Encore was on hand to present the […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
LEAP test ordeal is over – but did students rush through the exams? Enrollment is a worry
Directors of McDonogh City Park Academy welcomed two new board members during their monthly meeting, April 17: Brittany Major and Monica Candal. Major recently moved back to New Orleans from Atlanta and works with the city in economic development. Candal works with Stand for Children, a non-profit, and describes herself as passionate about parental involvement […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Slew of rising eighth graders applying for admission; room for only about 5 percent
With 95 percent of the school’s first graduating class accepted by a four-year college, Sci Academy is seeing increased interest among prospective ninth-grade enrollees, the school’ board of directors learned at its April board meeting. As of April 1, 377 current eighth-graders listed Sci Academy on their high school applications, a 14 percent rise from […]