Board meetings over the past few months have been marked by tension over a central question: who is to succeed the charismatic Barbara MacPhee as head of New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School after she retires. Parents and students have attended the past few meetings awaiting a decision. At the Jan.12 meeting, the […]
Posted inOpinion
Curfew: Stripping kids’ access to the cultural heart of New Orleans
When I lived in Europe, I used to josh my British friends with a plan for Britain’s economic future (which looked dim at the time). I suggested that they tear down every structure built after the Seventeenth Century and restore the conditions—industrial, social, economic—of that earlier age, so that American tourists could be assured an […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Deputy charged after inmate's suicide
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has charged former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Deputy William Thompson with malfeasance in office after the deputy allegedly abandoned his post, allowing an inmate on suicide watch to kill himself. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman issued a warrant for Thompson’s arrest on Aug. 17. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Recreation Commission sets important meeting tonight, but doesn't comply with law
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Update, 7:28 p.m.: Landrieu’s spokesman Ryan Berni says the meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow, January 18, at 5 p.m., after all. To clarify, a meeting of the recreation commission foundation was rescheduled. The executive search committee will meet in the Office of Homeland Security conference room […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting cancelled
According to our CSRC reporter, tonight’s board meeting has been cancelled. No further information available at this time.
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
500-year protection for under $2 billion? Why wait 20 years to start?
Thursday, The Times-Picayune ran a front-page story on the state’s newly-released 50-year strategy to confront south Louisiana’s coastal loss crisis. Like many previous plans, Louisiana’s 2012 Coastal Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast makes a compelling case for restoration while not downplaying the complexity of the challenge. The master plan draft recommends a variety of […]
Posted inOpinion
Last ONE left standing? Sucker punch whacks 'citizen participation'
By Tim Garrett, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Tuesday’s four-hour meeting of the New Orleans Planning Commission amounted to a public showdown between two rival visions for “citizen participation” in the planning process, something that was mandated by a charter amendment in 2010. The audience A crowd big enough to pack the City Council chamber […]
Posted inLand Use
Tulane quest to rezone 'peripheral' properties dominates Master Plan hearing
The Planning Commission as well as the general public logged late hours at City Hall Tuesday night. The occasion was an Amendments to the Master Plan meeting, and while it kicked off smartly at 6 p.m., it didn’t break up until 10. The recently adopted Master Plan has a provision that allows the public to […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board wins charter to take over troubled Cohen High; NOCP performance score back on track
There was good news this month for the board of directors of New Orleans College Preparatory Academies. State education officials have extended the original charter for three years and granted them another to take over Walter L. Cohen High School. “BESE approved our three-year renewal, and approved our charter for Cohen,” executive director Ben Kleban […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Holidays boost enrollment; attendance goal set; Open House and Family Math Night ahead
Two prospective members attended the Jan. 10 monthly meeting of the Pride College Prep board of directors: Sam Joel, director of research for Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and Gabriel Bordenave, the Recovery School District’s portfolio communications director. Pride’s founder and school leader, Michael Richard, announced that with an enrollment of 257, the school is approaching full […]