The documents include a draft contract and hundreds of emails showing frequent communications going back years between city officials, a ‘pro bono’ consultant and companies that would eventually win the city bid for the project.
Avis Williams, currently the superintendent of Selma City Schools in Alabama, will take the lead at NOLA Public Schools in mid-July.
Council members and Gordon Plaza residents both criticized the administration for providing few details of its plan while taking public credit for taking action.
The Orleans Parish School Board will vote on its committee’s recommendation at its meeting on Thursday
The four-page letter does not address many of the council’s questions and concerns, but it does provide more information about the plan than was previously available.
The Cantrell administration is now considering beginning the project — originally pitched as a multiyear contract — with a one-year agreement, which would not require council approval.
The City Council still needs to approve the multi-year contract for the contract, but so far, that contract hasn't been presented to the public or Council President Helena Moreno.
The selection of Wellpath for the multimillion-dollar contract came in spite of criticism from incoming Sheriff Susan Hutson, who takes office next month. The committee vote means the Cantrell administration is now free to negotiate a final contract.
The foundation owes nearly $15,000 in back taxes and unpaid fines. But that number may be even larger when taking 2022 taxes into account.
Though the board still needs to finalize a contract, board members said Williams would be the first permanent female superintendent of the district.
