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Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics

Landrieu saying little about two no-bid contracts given to Gusman worth $1 million

By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | For the second time in a year, Mayor Mitch Landrieu has used an intergovernmental agreement to funnel city money to Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman without seeking bids on the work or showing why Gusman’s services provide the best value to taxpayers. The two contracts likely will […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Pool swimmable by early January; Title 1 and MFP problems ironed out, but deficit lingers

The Dryades Y/ James M. Singleton Charter School board of directors met Oct. 18, with 11 of 17 members present. Absentees were Kendricks Brass, John Calhoun, Sidney Cates, Priscilla Edwards, Jacque Jackson, and Mary Joseph. School staff members in attendance were Avis Brock, Douglas Evans, Catrina Reed, Rhenette Tobias, and Mossy Turner. A reporter for The Lens was the only […]

Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion

Dardenne, Nungesser race for lt. governor gets down and dirty

Jay Dardenne: incumbent. Photo by Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. Billy Nungesser: challenger. Photo by Gage Skidmore. Three weeks ago I thought I’d be the only one to plumb the lurid depths of the lieutenant governor’s race between Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and incumbent Jay Dardenne. But, happily, pundits of all stripes have jumped […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Board weighs charter transition options; transfer to FirstLine gains favor, pending community input

NOLA 180, the board that governs Langston Hughes Academy Charter School, met Oct. 10 to discuss that administrative transition made necessary by the pending expiration of the school’s charter. Board co-president Dow Edwards identified two possible responses: One is to let the charter expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30. The other, […]

Posted inCharter Schools, Schools

Action plan attacks low school performance score; volunteer reading tutors want to help

At its monthly board meeting, Oct. 14, Success Preparatory Board members continued to discuss aggressive strategies to improve the school performance score — 54.2 — recently assigned by the state Department of Education. Any score below 60 is equivalent to an “F” in the state’s revamped grading system. Scores are based on student testing, attendance […]