The board of Milestone SABIS Academy of New Orleans met Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. with an audience of three, including a reporter from The Lens. Topics discussed included planning for a patron party and reception to increase sponsorships. Board member Lorin Crenshaw provided a subcommittee report on facilities and said he was researching developers […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Will strange bedfellows come back to haunt Billy Nungesser?
Outspoken Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser is picking up endorsements from prominent Republicans as he runs for Lieutenant Governor against incumbent Jay Dardenne, who is himself a Republican. The first nod was from U.S. Sen. David Vitter, who called Nungesser a “conservative reformer.” Nungesser responded jubilantly: “Like Senator Vitter, I am a true conservative.” Clearly […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Cab companies spending millions on gray market for sought-after certificates
An underground market in city-issued cab permits has seen more than $8 million change hands since 2009 with barely any revenue going to the city.
Posted inOpinion
Balance gentrification with equity along the St. Claude Avenue corridor
By Michael T. Martin, The Lens contributing opinion writer | With the opening of the Healing Center and the possibility of extending streetcar service all the way to Poland Avenue, it’s time to accord the St. Claude Avenue corridor the attention due to an “up-and-coming” neighborhood that is emerging as a New Orleans success story. […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
French 'interventionist' on tap; Montessori accreditation process continues
The board of directors of the Audubon Charter School — formally, French and Montessori Education Inc. – met Sept. 17, from 10:18 to 11 a.m. Present from the start were board members the Rev. Cornelius Tilton, Carlos Zervigon, Olivier Brochenin, Gloria Bingmon, Timothy Jackson, Yvonne (Teddi) Locke, Miriam Maxwell, Robert D. Sloan, Jacqueline Smith and […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Master teachers, monthly deficits and compliance with 70% MFP requirement stir board debate
The Dryades Y/ James M. Singleton Charter School Board of Directors met Sept. 20, with 10 of 17 members present. Those absent were: John Calhoun, Ron Sholes, Sidney Cates, Lance Eden, Jacque Jackson, Mary Joseph, and Barbara Lacen Keller. A reporter for The Lens was the meeting’s only audience member. In addition, two men, identified on […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
BESE's permission to increase enrollment is sought — but no more mice, please!
The Pride College Prep School Board met on Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Main Office Building. Two board members were absent: K. Lavon Wright and Scott Jacobs. Two teachers and a reporter for The Lens comprised the audience. All teacher and staff positions are currently filled, except for the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Former inmates, others give DOJ an earful
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Community members told the Department of Justice of their concerns about jail conditions under Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman tonight at a Central City forum organized by the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition. The coalition, whose 30 member organizations include the ACLU of Louisiana, the National Lawyers […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Booze Board defers action on 'obscene' 7th Ward saloon; slaps fine on bar near Tulane
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Most of the agenda for today’s lengthy Alcohol Beverage Control Board meeting was postponed or settled beforehand. But one high profile 7th Ward bar, having reached an agreement with the city before the meeting, stuck around to hear the decision entered into the record. The Duck Off […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
The Macedonian candidate … and other tales of guile and folly
1. It’s unfortunate my recent Superman column puzzled so many readers, because I don’t know how to make my warnings any clearer or more dire. Perhaps reading this recent news story might help others comprehend the problem. Apparently, former New Orleanian Bo McCalebb is playing basketball for the national team of … Macedonia. That’s right, […]