Intercultural Charter School should learn within two months whether the state school board will allow it to continue operating with the current board, whether the state will take it over or whether it will close, the board learned recently. Board member Alvaro Alcazar explained at the Nov. 17 board meeting that because the board decided […]
Posted inCharter Schools
Fund-raiser joins staff; enrollment growing
A few months into their first year running a new school, board members of Harriet Tubman Charter continue searching for money to finance it. Crescent City Schools hired a staff member focused solely on fund-raising, and she wants board members to bring two names of potential donors each month. “We’re hoping to have 14 new […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
School searching for new site after Uptown campus is leased to another charter school
The board of Milestone/SABIS Academy charter school met recently and expressed frustration at being essentially kicked out of its campus. The Innovators in Milestones board met Nov. 21 and discussed how the St. Francis of Assisi church has leased its Uptown classroom space to another charter school, Lycee Francais. Board member Lorin Crenshaw said the […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
December board meeting agenda released
The agenda for the Hynes Charter Board meeting is reprinted below: Hynes Charter School Corporation Board Meeting Monday, December 5, 2011 5:00 p.m. Edward Hynes Charter School 3774 Gentilly Blvd New Orleans, LA 70122 Agenda 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes Standing Items 1. Opportunity for […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board members stress importance of being an open-admission school, offering pre-K
The board of Audubon Charter cleared up the logistics of the school’s admission process at its Nov. 19 board meeting. The most important order of business at Audubon’s last F.A.M.E board meeting was clearing up the logistics of the school’s admissions process. Admittance to the school was once on a first-come, first-served basis until they […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City won't disclose employee addresses, claiming its records are too scattered
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The City of New Orleans has declined to release the addresses of its employees, saying it has not kept track of whether or not employees want their information kept private. The Lens sought the addresses as part of a public-records request for city payroll information filed on […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Jindal’s jive: Double talk, phony budget cuts
In his Oct. 22 re-election victory speech, Gov. Bobby Jindal repeatedly stressed his desire to make his second term as productive as possible. “I will use every day, every hour of these next four years to make Louisiana the very best that we can be. I don’t believe on resting on our past accomplishments. I […]
Posted inInvestigations, Land Use
Scandal-rocked nonprofit continues to collect rent checks, act as landlord
A city-financed non-profit program that many thought was dissolved in 2008 apparently has continued to quietly operate, perhaps to the benefit of one contractor linked to the scandal.
Posted inSchools
All RSD students will be assigned through central office, ending fractured system
By Jessica Williams and Michael Patrick Welch, The Lens staff writers | Working to fulfill a promise made months ago, the Recovery School District is taking over enrollment for each of its 50 charter schools in New Orleans. That means the officials running the independent schools will no longer have sole discretion in determining which […]
Posted inOpinion
Disenchanted, disengaged — and disenfranchised
By Myron Rogers, The Lens contributing opinion writer | I’m new to Louisiana and its political and bureaucratic processes, but after my first Election Day in New Orleans, I can see why it suffers under such a notorious reputation, even today. I went to vote at Isidore Newman School, around the corner from my home. […]