The Orleans Parish school district is closing five schools this spring. In the first part in a series on school closures, The Lens talks to experts, advocates and parents about how a decision to close a school is made, and how it should be made.
The district has installed filters in 30 schools, fewer than half of the city's public schools. That’s three sites shy of its December goal.
Once again, Harney nonprofit board is flagged for poor financial management and bookkeeping. By the time the audit was released, however, the school was no longer under charter management.
Orleans school district officials say that Harney, which the district took over from a charter operator, faces a $430,000 deficit. Federal funds allocated to its former charter board could close most of the gap. But the district can't collect them.
Central City charter school allotted $1.2 million in budget adjustment. Ellison, who had previously been expected to be nominated for president, faced a backlash from civil rights groups over her statements on anti-discrimination policies that include LGBT protections.
The district is also seeking federal funds from the charter school group.
The Orleans Parish school district took over the charter school during winter break.
Twenty-seven Harney employees are returning as district staff. The district plans to close the school this spring.
