By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas faced tough questioning this afternoon from a skeptical City Council about how his well-publicized reforms are addressing the city’s homicide rate. The chief came armed with a sheaf of statistics to support his efforts, but council members were not receptive just two days […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Councilwoman blasts Landrieu for not changing the way sheriff gets paid
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Councilwoman Susan Guidry criticized Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration Tuesday for failing to change the way it pays for inmates housed at the city’s jail. Guidry’s displeasure came out as the council continued its review of Landrieu’s proposed 2012 budget. The hearing Tuesday reviewed the budgets of the […]
Posted inOpinion
Making 'Complete Streets' a policy makes complete sense
By Matthew Rufo, The Lens contributing opinion writer | In recent years, New Orleanians have witnessed a transformation of their streets from motor vehicle speedways to multimodal havens for a variety of users. Since 2004, the city’s bike lanes, paths and shared lanes have grown to over 40 miles. New sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
No, Buddy, the sweater is just plain nerdy looking. Man up, dude
On Oct. 24 Presidential aspirant and former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer tweeted, “My campaign manager wants to spoof the Herman Cain ad. Yay or nay?” Buddy, Buddy, Buddy… you don’t announce a spoof – least of all do you want to be caught polling about whether to do it. The surest way to drain the […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
New homes sought for biz office and The Net alternative school; board releases bonuses
Board members Alison Hartman, Charleen Blache, Stephen Rosenthal, Dana Peterson, Gregory St. Etienne, Lawrence Kullman, Darleene Peters, Brian Egana, Chief Operating Officer Adrian Morgan, and Chief Executive Officer Jay Altman were present Oct. 25 at the monthly meeting of the FirstLine School Board. The board governs Arthur Ashe Charter School, Joseph S. Clark Prep High School, John […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Parents can sound off about charter transition Nov. 9; school over enrollment, under budget
NOLA 180, the charter school board that governs Langston Hughes Academy, a FirstLine school, met on Oct. 25. Board members present were Paul Pechon, D’Juan Hernandez, Kristina Kent, Kathleen Padia, George Freeman, Chief Operating Officer Adrian Morgan and Chief Executive Officer Jay Altman. The board announced that a community meeting has been scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 9, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Audit goes smoothly and ahead of schedule; student needs to be addressed individually
The Treme Charter School Association, the governing board of McDonogh 42 Elementary Charter School, met Oct. 27. The meeting, in the school auditorium, began at 5:39 p.m. and ended at 6:33 p.m. The meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. and originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22. Board members Madonna Green, Roslyn Smith, Hester Cottles and […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Pension debate triggers outcry at board meeting; performance scores run the gamut
Directors of the Algiers Charter Schools Association gathered Oct. 27 for a monthly meeting that drew a capacity crowd of over 200. The board called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. and confirmed they had a quorum. The first item of business was a successful motion to proceed directly to discussion of the Teachers […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
With 20 percent ignoring costs, council pushes city to collect delinquent trash fees
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s top lieutenant faced pressure from the City Council Monday after stepping in to defend one of his department heads for only collecting 80 percent of the city’s trash fees. Chief Administrative Officer Andy Kopplin stepped in to protect Chief Financial Officer Norman Foster after […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Teachers get added incentive to improve student test scores: merit-based bonuses
The Capital One-New Beginnings Charter School Network is planning to pay teacher bonuses based on student improvement this year, its governing board learned recently. The network’s board of directors heard a report on the plan at its Oct. 25 meeting. Students were tested at the beginning of the year, setting a base score for their […]