Review the detailed board agenda for tomorrow’s meeting here.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
Review the schedule for tonight’s meeting here.
Posted inSchools
Not so fast on superintendent, one peeved board member says
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | While Orleans Parish School Board President Thomas Robichaux has made his pick for the system’s interim superintendent clear, at least one board member disagrees and plans on offering other candidates. Thomas Robichaux said Thursday night that he’s going to nominate Stan Smith, the district’s chief financial officer, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board works to address anticipated budget crunch
While anticipating next month’s release of testing scores that will show whether schools are meeting academic performance targets, the board of New Orleans College Preparatory Academies was presented with a new challenge at its monthly meeting, May 8: the network faces a budget deficit which, at current rates, will leave it in the red in […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Obama catches gay marriage trend, but what about Louisiana?
Last week President Barack Obama publicly unveiled his now fully “evolved” belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. Media reports called his announcement a “watershed move.” I disagree. While Obama’s statement might be historic, it merely follows a watershed change in American attitude that occurred over a year ago. It’s important to remember […]
Posted inInside the News Room
A new look, but the same solid reporting from The Lens
Welcome to the redesigned site of The Lens. We hope you like what you see here, and we want to hear your thoughts on the effort — positive or negative. Please email Managing Editor Steve Beatty at sbeatty@TheLensNola.org. We’ll do our best to incorporate your feedback to make this site the best it can be.
Posted inSchools
Union cries foul over firing of custodians at six RSD schools
Former custodians at six of the Recovery School District’s direct-run schools say their former district-contracted employer fired them last week without just cause. Custodians say representatives from ARAMARK, a Philadelphia-based service corporation that RSD contracted with on April 1 for janitorial services, told them on May 1 they didn’t pass the probationary period that’s standard […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Last inmate leaves facility; new pretrial program ends 1st week
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 […]