With charter schools competing more and more vigorously for students, the Edgar P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy is moving forward with a marketing and advertising effort, the school’s board learned at its monthly meeting, Jan. 10. Accountant Sean Berner said funds of an undisclosed amount have been set aside for the enrollment drive. Now […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Land Use
Development atop a city dump? Policy fiasco comes back to haunt Upper 9th Ward
Despite Superfund status, government and private investors continue to dabble in doomed Desire neighborhood.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Hell hath no fury like a great team thirsting for gridiron vengeance
After the LSU Tigers won the “Game of the Century” in overtime back in November, reporters immediately asked coach Les Miles about the possibility of a rematch with Alabama’s Crimson Tide in the BCS championship game. Instead of deflecting the question, or saying, “I’d prefer to play a team we haven’t already beaten,” Miles said, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board approved to open a charter school in Jefferson Parish; new member seated
The International School of Louisiana has been awarded a new Type 1 charter to open what will be one of a very few charter schools in Jefferson Parish, the school’s board learned at its monthly meeting, Jan. 4. A location has yet to be selected, as Jefferson Parish reportedly is in the process of shutting […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Waivers bring $90,000 windfall; reading scores soar; board mulls ways to complete fund drive
Correction: Errors in an earlier version of this article have been removed. St. Claire Aadrian is now correctly described as upper school principal. The comment about “bang for the buck” is now correctly attributed to Anderson Baker. The Success Preparatory Academy Board of Directors are mulling over new ways to help the school raise $38,000 […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Things to consider, from homicide figures to killer sports records
Let’s get down on Friday and briefly consider five different topics in one post. What do you say? 1) The Uptown Messenger is correct. Murder was the single most important story in New Orleans last year. Homicides increased, and led many to question whether Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas is the right person for the job. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council approves earlier Quarter curfew over objections saying it encourages profiling
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | An earlier weekend curfew for youth approved today by the City Council – targeting the French Quarter and Frenchman Street’s entertainment district – sparked two days of contentious hearings in council chambers. Those opposed to the measure say it will encourage racial profiling of young African Americans, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Frustrated homeowner resorts to demolition
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | A family that vainly struggled through more than six years of bureaucracy to get back into their Katrina-damaged home, an effort recently chronicled in The Lens, finally gave up and had the structure torn down. Homeowner Kisa Holmes said she found out last week that the demolition […]
Posted inOpinion
Educator's vision: continuum to college, meaningful work
One in a series of conversations with New Orleans educators Andre Perry describes himself as an education “thought leader”. His work has run the gamut from advocacy for immigrant education rights to university professor to chief executive of a charter management organization in charge of K-12 schools. His commentary on the New Orleans educational landscape […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Earlier French Quarter curfew for youths gets mixed reaction; Council set to vote Thursday
Correction: The start time for the proposed weekend curfew was incorrect in an earlier version of this article. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Some New Orleans City Council members and Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas faced accusations of racism and unequal law enforcement this afternoon over plans to expand a curfew in the […]