New Orleans city officials are aggressively pushing back against a “devastating” proposed $15 million cut to inpatient mental health and substance abuse services now being offered at LSU Interim Hospital. The cuts were included in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s recent budget, and they are part of an effort to close a $251 million state budget shortfall […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board greets Junior Achievement, narrows logo options, may expand membership
A visit by representatives of Junior Achievement New Orleans was a highlight of the Feb. 14 meeting of the school’s board of directors, the Friends of King. Junior Achievement is a regional organization that conducts workshops in and out of the classroom, to acquaint students with the economy, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and financial management. Following […]
Posted inSchools
RSD releases report on equal access
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | The Recovery School District released its 2012 Equity Report today in an attempt to provide a one-stop-shop for parents looking for data regarding equal access for students. RSD Superintendent Patrick Dobard said district officials believe the data will better inform parents applying for schools through the new […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
RSD assigns liaisons for continuing contact with network administrators; bequest yields $50G
Directors of ReNEW Charter Schools met with Recovery School District officials, and also received a $50,000 donation at their monthly board meeting, Feb. 9. The board passed a resolution to accept a conditional charitable donation of $50,000 over five years. The donation comes from the estate of a teacher’s parent, and the money will be […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Moving day ahead for several KIPP schools; gala brings $2.2M fundraising goal within reach
The KIPP New Orleans school board met Feb. 9 to discuss school relocations and to prepare for their annual fundraiser luncheon. KIPP New Orleans holds six charters and operates nine schools across New Orleans, from the French Quarter to Central City to Bywater. A planned move puts KIPP within easier reach of students who live […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Enrollment reality requires amended budget; cuts hit school supplies, data manager post
With an enrollment 26 fewer students than expected, the board of Success Preparatory Academy has had to approve a budget amended to reflect cuts to several departments. The original budget was based on 403 students enrolled in the school, Daniel O’Connell, director of finance, told the board at its Feb. 9 meeting. But there were […]
Posted inSchools
Rats, roaches and flies found at some public-school cafeterias, health reports show
The most recent round of health inspections of public-school cafeterias show troubling conditions at some schools, including rat feces, roaches and flies.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Strong application season requires lotteries; hands-on gardening project to begin at zoo
The board of Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans has approved Hema Banangada as its interim treasurer. Banangada replaces outgoing board treasurer Mignhon Tourné, who was absent. The vote followed disagreement over precisely what the bylaws had to say about voting in a new officer during an ex-officer’s unfinished term. Board chairman Andrew Abrams said that […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Push to raise teacher retirement age also raises eyebrows; access to public pensions in doubt
Principal Mardele Early used the Feb. 14 meeting of Lake Forest Elementary’s board of directors to urge close attention to a handout from the governor’s office detailing an agenda of possible school reforms. “You really need to read through it and see some of things that are being proposed by Governor Jindal,” Early said. “It […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Talk about a bit of chutzpah: Asking for overtime after being caught gambling
As I recall, the quintessential example of “chutzpah” is when a kid kills his parents over and over again but keeps expecting different results. Now… that’s always seemed like an insane definition to me. It doesn’t really make that much sense either, when you think about it (which I don’t recommend). So over the years […]