By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Few documents feature an array like this: T-shirts, Dollar General signs, aggressive pan-handlers, artists, alcohol and the aged. But each has a place on tomorrow’s New Orleans City Council agenda. Download the pdf here. A quick look at things up for discussion at tomorrow’s meeting, which starts […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Schools
Cutting suspensions and expulsions called critical to plugging school-to-prison pipeline
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | What’s the cause of high suspension and expulsion rates in New Orleans public schools? At a Tuesday night gathering in Treme, public education stakeholders grappled with that question – and strove to find solutions to a problem widely regarded as feeding the “school-to-prison pipeline.” Led by local […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Einstein Board meeting cancelled
The Einstein board found out ten minutes before their scheduled board meeting that member Ryan Bennet would not be able to make the meeting and therefore the board could not reach a quorum. After consulting their legal counsel the board decided to cancel the meeting. Board President Ramona Perkins said the agenda included action items […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Demolition of St. Charles Avenue landmark denied — for now; Council appeal likely
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Well-heeled Uptowners turned out for Monday’s meeting of the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee, to speak both for and against a plan by liquor tycoon Jeffery Goldring to demolish a 1928 Emile Weil-designed triplex on St. Charles Avenue and replace it with a mausoleum-sized single-family residence. The demolition […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
Review the agenda for the New Orleans College Preparatory Academies Board of Directors Meeting scheduled for Wednesday here. Note that the meeting time is for 4:30pm – 6pm this month, an hour earlier than the normal meeting time as stated on the school’s web site.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Look to Central City area for additional enrollment, board member advises
The board of Edgar P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy Charter School held their second monthly meeting of the academic year on Oct. 3 at 6:05 pm. Five board members were in attendance as the meeting began: Arthur Williams Jr., Ashton Ryan Jr., Dr. Charles Southall III, Clinton Smith, Jr. and Jesse Hills Jr.; Norma Dixon Monroe arrived ten […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Staff resignations filled; small deficit should be plugged by pending grants and donations
Directors of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy met Sept. 29, at 6 p.m., to discuss the state of the school and plan construction of its future home. Board members Col. Terry Ebbert. Maj. Blake LeMaire, Eades Hogue, and Capt. Dave Whiddon were present. Board members James Reiss, Courtney Bagneris, and Capt. Keith Amacker […]
Posted inSchools
School building program gets fraud oversight
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | Contractors tasked with nearly $2 billion worth of school renovation and construction will face a comprehensive fraud monitoring program announced Monday afternoon by the Recovery School District, which oversees the facilities master plan. The monitoring will involve investigators from the city’s Office of Inspector General, the State […]
Posted inOpinion
Protest should focus on Lafayette Square — and 2nd Harvest Food Bank
On Thursday, the Occupy Wall Street protest movement wil come to New Orleans. It’s inspiring to see people gearing up to act locally about national economic-justice issues that can seem far removed from South Louisiana but have a tremendous influence on our well-being. However, the current plan can be greatly improved upon. Indeed, the New Orleans affiliate […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Released after three month delay, city audit reveals 2010 budget shortfall
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | New Orleans began this year operating $28.7 million in the red, an audit of the city’s 2010 books released Thursday shows. The news comes as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Mayor Mitch Landrieu as he attempts to maintain a balanced budget without making significant cuts […]