The agenda for the February meeting of ADVOCACY FOR THE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, INC. is reprinted below: AGENDA 1. Moment of Meditation 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge to the Flag 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Adoption of Minutes from the January 28, 2012 Meeting 6. Principal’s Report 7. Financial Report 8. […]
Posted inSchools
FirstLine charters showing that cafeteria food can be healthful, affordable and educational
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Though school cafeteria cleanliness is an issue that New Orleans school leaders work to address daily, they’ve got another pressing matter on their minds: what’s actually going on the plate. Many school officials say they want to provide students with fresh, healthful meals, but they say it’s […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Increasingly frustrated Council members say city can't afford mental-health cuts at LSU
City officials met Thursday morning to try and solve a nagging $15 million problem: How to restore critical health-care money for LSU Interim Hospital cut from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s mid-year budget adjustment.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Broken records: Sheriff not complying with open-records requests for documents
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has been ignoring a series of public records requests filed with his office by The Lens. Under the state Public Records Act, Gusman is required to turn over the public records immediately, or within three days if they are in active use. But four public records requests dating back to […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Nagin probe warrants soul-searching by voters, media as well
As details emerge about a multi-track federal investigation into former Mayor Ray Nagin’s personal dealings with city contractors, The Times-Picayune recently reminded us that Nagin was viewed as a “colossal disappointment”…
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Reading scores vary; strategic plan needed to monitor teachers; board OKs hiring grant writer
At February’s monthly meeting of Intercultural Charter’s board of directors, six members reported on training they received recently from the Louisiana Charter School Association. Member Larry Boudin called the training informative, particularly as regards the guidance board members should provide to the charter schools they serve. Member Tap Bui said she came away with an […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board looks at re-enrollment numbers, ponders play space and interim campus needs
Morris Jeff Community School’s enrollment increased by six students in January, bringing the total to 257, board members learned at their monthly meeting, Feb. 15. In reporting the enrollment uptick, staff member Sherah Lebouef said that 84 percent of current students have re-enrolled for next year. While only 73 percent of prospective fourth-graders have re-enrolled, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Rusnak warns of coming enrollment crunch; $100G surplus leaves activity funds flush
Principal Timothy Rusnak began the Feb. 16 meeting of Ben Franklin’s board by presenting teacher Christy Reed with a certificate of appreciation. Rusnak praised Reed’s ability “to do anything and everything necessary” to keep the school’s educational environment in tip-top shape. In a report on applications, Rusnak said 265 new students enrolled in the 2010-2011 […]
Posted inOpinion
Learning from NY: Cutting mental health carries hidden costs
City officials are right to decry the cuts to mental health services that could result from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s effort to plug a budget deficit.