By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff reporter | Patrons, neighbors and employees of Bacchanal, the ultra-hip Bywater nightspot, turned out in force for this week’s meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Bacchanal, at the corner of Poland Avenue and Chartres Street, an area zoned for light industry, has been in business for over 10 years, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Community clamors for high school; board retreat focuses on two-year plan
Einstein’s Charter School’s board of directors focused on a multi-year plan and bylaw revisions as they met on March 10 for a development retreat. A visit from principal Shawn Toranto kicked off the meeting. She addressed the board about the long-term goal of opening a high school. Toranto is concerned with the lack of high […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
New science electives on tap as competition stiffens for both students and teachers
As the 2012-13 school year approaches, New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High is doing more than ever to recruit incoming freshmen and to retain students already enrolled. At their monthly meeting, March 8, the school’s directors were advised that projected enrollment for next year stands at 361. To date, Sci High has received 57 […]
Posted inGovernment & 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 inOpinion, Schools
An evolving movement: New Orleans student takes on creationism
Over a year ago, I profiled Zack Kopplin’s now well-known effort to repeal the ill-named 2008 Louisiana Science Education Act. In short, the law permits the introduction of pseudo-scientific materials into classrooms that cast doubt on established theories such as evolution. Throughout his senior year in high school, Kopplin defended science education in Louisiana from […]
Posted inSquandered Heritage
Demolition continues unabated
Yesterday while driving down Earhart Blvd. I came across a demolition which was being performed with no dust mitigation. The structure was a substantial Church bldg and generated a large amount of dust and debris.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Saints bounty mystery: Why such a puny return on such a big risk?
While I let some topical themes marinate, here are some quick thoughts and links to other posts I find interesting: 1) Tulane grad and conservative new media innovator Andrew Breitbart died suddenly last week. Lamar White at Cenlamar was the last person to tweet to him, and recounts their conversation in a post titled “Proudly, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
State school board tentatively approves charter changes
Next school year, the boards of Akili Academy and Harriet Tubman Charter School will combine. Lagniappe Academy is cutting back on its enrollment, and Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans is set to expand. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today approved these changes in and three others during a committee meeting. Their actions […]
Posted inSchools
State school board tentatively approves changes to charters, including merger
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Next school year, the boards of Akili Academy and Harriet Tubman Charter School will combine. Lagniappe Academy is cutting back on its enrollment, and Lycée Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans is set to expand. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education today approved these changes in and […]