By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | One of the great philosophical conundrums of our time played out before the Neighborhood Conservation Committee this week: when is a house a billboard (and vice versa.) At issue was the city’s desire to demolish a blighted Ninth Ward shotgun alongside the old concrete bridge that carries […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
The Lens honored for reporting on medication of juvenile inmates across state facilities
By Maggie Calmes, The Lens staff writer | The Lens criminal justice reporter Matt Davis returned last week to his hometown of Croydon, South London – but not before receiving laurels from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Davis received a 2011 Prevention for a Safer Society Award from the organization for his story […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Summer school canceled; alternatives will be arranged; board ponders bylaws, budget
Einstein’s board of directors elected a new vice president and discussed bylaw revisions and a new budget policy at their monthly meeting, April 3. The board nominated and elected member Ryan Bennett as vice president, he was not in attendance. The board also approved minutes of the March meeting. Principal Shawn Toranto and assistant business […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Sheriff finds job for chief judge's wife despite lack of appraisal experience
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman hired the wife of Municipal Court Chief Judge Paul Sens as a real-estate appraiser about the same time the judge hired Gusman’s wife.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Does mob cooperation with the feds happen only in the movies?
Referring to my post on the online rants that cost Sal Perricone his job as a federal prosecutor, a reader asked: “Mr. Moseley of ‘The Lens’: I don’t mean any disrespect, but could you just speak ‘plain English’?” Lo siento, mi amigo. Lo siento. What can I say? I’m not a logical positivist. I’m partial […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Otis to step down as school leader; board elects Montes chairman, Banangada treasurer
Jill Otis, chief executive officer of Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans, will step down at the end of the school year. Her resignation as school leader was approved unanimously by the board of directors as they emerged from an executive session on April 2. The announcement followed a special board meeting on March 26 […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
STEP tests predict LEAP results; Frantz School move to honor civil rights icon Ruby Bridges
At their monthly meeting, on April 2, the board of Benjamin E. Mays Preparatory School discussed projected LEAP test scores and was updated on the planned move into the building formerly occupied by Frantz Elementary. Principal Shanda Gentry informed the board that the school is currently in Cycle 4 of STEP (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation […]
Posted inSchools
Special-ed students in Orleans schools use 'alternate pencils' to acquire writing skills
It’s Friday morning in Kimberly Sanfeliz’s class, and one of her students, a 7-year-old, is signing in. “Where’s the D?” Sanfeliz asks, mentioning the first letter of the little girl’s name as she stands in front of a board emblazoned with a colorful alphabet.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Head of schools offered new term; plans for Jeff campus roll forward; mission statement debated
The board of the International School of Louisiana authorized the acceptance of a three-year, $100,000, no-interest loan at their monthly meeting, March 28. It also decided to approve ISL’s plan to apply for a much-discussed “i3” grant, from the federal program that encourages innovations that foster academic achievement. In other business, head of schools Sean […]