Two years after House Speaker Jim Tucker (R-Algiers) pushed for a moratorium on state subsidies for affordable housing, a board he sits on has awarded $10 million in state-backed approved bond money so a nonprofit can buy an apartment complex Tucker owns.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Audit shows jump in enrollment; access to UNO courses to be reviewed
The Advocates for Academic Excellence in Education Inc., the charter school board governing Benjamin Franklin High School, met Sept. 15. The meeting, in the school library, began at 4 p.m. and ended at 5:40, after a 20-minute executive session. Board members Mark Mayer, Ingrid Labat, Susan Weeks, Carl Indest and Collette Creppell were present. Board […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
September Board meeting agenda released
To view the details of the agenda, click the following link: FAME Board Agenda September 2011
Posted inOpinion
As social media grow, so does appreciation of the First Amendment
By Eric Newton, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Each year, on Constitution Day, students and teachers celebrate the most fundamental laws of our republic. This year, they should celebrate Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and all other social media children of the digital age. Why? Because, it turns out, social media are good for the Constitution. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Giant billboard targets jail per diems; DOJ to attend public meeting on Tuesday
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The Department Of Justice has accepted an invitation to a community forum next week hosted by a reform coalition, which aims to encourage the department to finally take legal action against Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman over jail conditions. Department of Justice attorney Regina Jansen has accepted […]
Posted inSchools
OPSB approves 2012 school spending plan
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 […]