By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | The Orleans Parish School Board approved a $45 million budget for its six direct-run schools, and another $65 million for 11 charter schools, after a public hearing on Thursday. General fund expenses for the direct-run schools decreased by 9 percent from last year’s budget. Orleans Parish School […]
Posted inOpinion, Schools
Does the Big ‘S’ stand for Shaquille, Superman or … Subversion!!
Last week a scandalous event occurred at Louisiana’s flagship university. Crowds gathered to cheer a subversive person who touts values that are anathema to our national character. Perhaps you think I’m referring to some radical protest at the edge of LSU campus or an extremist diatribe on Free Speech Alley. I wish it were so. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Law enforcement commission fails to honor 24-hour public notice law ahead of meeting
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A state body that approves millions of dollars in criminal justice grants to local agencies, including those in Orleans Parish, failed to post its agenda 24 hours in advance of Thursday’s meeting, a violation of the state open-meetings law. Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s criminal justice czar James Carter […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Land Use
Against long odds, RTA seeks federal funds to extend streetcar line to Poland Avenue
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | With less than a month to go before the deadline for a final round of federal stimulus transit funding, city officials are pushing to extend the proposed Rampart Street/St. Claude Avenue streetcar line all the way to Poland Avenue, on Bywater’s downriver edge. On a visit to […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
New high school building to open in 2015; Craig School takeover application in the works
The Board of Directors of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School for Science and Technology met Tuesday, Sept. 13, at noon. Board members Hilda W. Young, Doris Hicks, Gail Armant, Sandra Monroe, Thelma Ruth and George Rabb were present. Two members were absent: Eartha Johnson and Kenya Rounds Since opening in 2007 in the Lower […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Search for director gains momentum; enrollment may jump to 600; Health Corps OK'd
The board of directors of New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School — a.k.a. Sci High — met at 4:30 p.m., Sept. 8 at the school’s Loyola Avenue campus. The board was joined by six school faculty and administrators. A reporter from The Lens was the only member of audience. After approving the minutes […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
September board meeting agenda released
See the detailed agenda at the following link.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Maintenance contract under review; computer-assisted learning and PBIS program working well
The board of E.P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy held their first meeting of the academic year on September 12 at 6:20 p.m. Four of the seven board members were present: Jesse Hills Jr., Arthur Williams Jr., Ashton Ryan Jr., and board president Pastor Charles J. Southall III. Absentees were Gregory Mason, Kirk Reasonover and […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
French government may accredit school; Tulane vols lauded; French Week and fire drill planned
The Lycée Français School Board met on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of The First Presbyterian Church. One board member, Jean Montes, was absent. Six people were in the audience. Principal Jill Otis announced that two Tulane students are working as volunteers, providing great assistance during lunch breaks. Lycée Français is looking […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
September board meeting reviews enrollment, field trips; loan deferral rejected
Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that the BESE Candidate Forum was co-sponsored by the Charter Board Council, of which ReNEW is a member. A previous version stated that the event was sponsored solely by ReNEW. The ReNEW Charter Schools Board of Directors met Sept. 8 with no members of the public present […]