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.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
In-school suspensions, health costs reviewed as board welcomes new members and staff
The board of McDonogh City Park Academy welcomed new school staff and new board members at their monthly meeting on Feb. 14. Behavior interventionist Delisia Davis and new special-ed teacher Rebecca Clements are now on duty. In response to behavior problems brought to light by a group of teachers at December’s board meeting, the school […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Fingerprinting, background checks ordered for all staff – board members, too; guard hired
Warren Easton’s board of directors and all school staff must undergo background checks, the board voted at its monthly meeting, Feb. 12. In other business, principal Alexina Medley reported on the fatal shooting of senior Tirrell Jackson during a scuffle at a residence in eastern New Orleans. (The New Orleans Police Department’s report of the […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
A cookbook? A jelly empire? Board members mull over innovative fundraising concepts
Fundraising was the main topic at International High’s school board meeting on Feb. 13. The directors meeting for VIBE, as the board is known, began with the introduction of a glass piggy bank that will now be displayed at every meeting to remind board members to get more financially engaged. “It’s a different kind of […]