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Charter School Board

Advocates for Arts-Based Education

Lusher Charter School

National labor board rules that two charter schools in New Orleans can be unionized

International High School and Lusher Charter School argued labor-relations law didn’t apply to them.

By Marta Jewson    February 1, 2017    

Lusher board ousts member who was accused of violating policy on union

Divisions over this spring's union drive resurfaced in Saturday's meeting.

By Marta Jewson    August 20, 2016    

Orleans superintendent is reviewing Lens stories on Lusher board’s actions

Three stories last week raised questions about how school leaders conducted public business.

By Sarah Gamard    August 10, 2016    

How Lusher’s school board shut out the public in dealing with teachers’ union drive

State law says the public is entitled to observe how government bodies make decisions. But Lusher board members privately discussed how to respond to the union, using a boardwide email group. And they set up several private meetings that appear to have circumvented the Open Meetings Law.

By Marta Jewson    August 4, 2016    

Lusher Charter School drags feet on public-records requests

Three months later, we haven't received emails from CEO Kathy Riedlinger.

By Marta Jewson    August 4, 2016    

Emails reveal board’s struggle to guide Lusher Charter during unionization effort

They show deep divisions over the union and questions about CEO Kathy Riedlinger’s leadership.

By Marta Jewson    August 4, 2016    

Teachers union files labor complaint against Lusher and International High

Organizers say handful of teachers involved in union activities weren't asked to return.

By Marta Jewson    July 22, 2016    

Lusher teachers reject union

The tally: 54 votes by teachers for the union, 77 against.

By Marta Jewson    May 17, 2016    

Ballots to be counted this evening in Lusher teachers’ union vote

We'll be outside, but won't live-blog it.

By Marta Jewson    May 17, 2016    

Labor board says Lusher teachers will vote next week on joining union

Elections will be held at both campuses on May 17.

By Marta Jewson    May 10, 2016    

Lusher board passes resolution to stay neutral toward teachers union effort

Members say they want faculty members to decide the issue through a vote.

By Marta Jewson    April 28, 2016    

Lusher asks Attorney General if it must release the name of its admissions test

CEO Kathy Riedlinger says some parents could gain access to the test if they know its name.

By Marta Jewson    June 22, 2015    23 comments

Equity, transparency undercut by holdouts against OneApp school admissions process

It's time to level the playing field and provide a uniform application process for all OPSB charters.

Opinion    By Jacob Landry    June 9, 2015    121 comments

Recovery School District charters inching past historic top-performers in New Orleans

Schools run by the Orleans Parish School Board have been the top performers on standardized tests. That continued this year, but several charters in the Recovery School District inched past them. The challenge: Replicating what's working.

By Jessica Williams    June 6, 2014    4 comments

State releases elementary and middle-school standardized test scores

How did your school do?

By Jessica Williams    May 27, 2014    10 comments

$26,000 vanishes from charter group’s student activities fund; NOPD on the case

New Foundations board replenishes the account; student activities will not be impaired.

By Jessica Williams    May 13, 2014    1 comment

Longtime middle-school principal stepping down but will stay on at Lusher

Next year's budget available for public review, ahead of May 14 hearing at Lusher's Fortier campus.

By Michael Patrick Welch    May 1, 2014    

After buying only two houses on block, Lusher seeks permission to tear them down

Space would let elementary campus move in temporary classrooms, which gives the charter school flexibility as main campus repairs get underway. The portable buildings also will allow the school to increase enrollment.

By Karen Gadbois    April 28, 2014    17 comments

Lusher looks to modular classrooms until repairs are complete on both campuses

“It’s become a tradition: the many people that are very happy, and the many more that are unhappy when it comes to the lottery.” — Kathy Reidlinger.

By Michael Patrick Welch    April 2, 2014    

Live blog: Lusher holds lotteries to select students for 2014-15 school year

Selections for middle and high school will be made Wednesday; lower school picks will be made Friday.

By Jessica Williams    March 18, 2014    12 comments

Lusher board tries taking new PARCC practice test — and isn’t all that pleased

Story contains a link that allows readers to sample test questions.

By Michael Patrick Welch    February 21, 2014    2 comments

Audio: For some students at New Orleans’ best schools, just getting there is a challenge

Of the seven A schools in the city, just one buses its students. That means some students fortunate enough to get into one of the best schools must take hours-long rides on public transportation, making them and their parents uneasy.

By Della Hasselle    November 15, 2013    13 comments

Lusher plans to give bonuses to certified teachers

Size of the bonus is not known yet and will depend on the money the school gets from the state based on enrollment.

By Mallory Lindsly    November 13, 2013    

State formula may provide more money to school

Lusher charter school CEO says increase could be $200 per student.

By Kari Dequine Harden    October 14, 2013    

Cost of busing students in New Orleans rises as parents exercise school choice

It will cost $30 million to bring students to and from public schools this year, compared to $18 million the year before Katrina. The increase appears to be a consequence of citywide enrollment and the shift from a centrally-run school system. A few schools are working together to negotiate busing contracts.

By Della Hasselle and Marta Jewson    September 12, 2013    29 comments

Lusher buys two adjacent properties

School's enrollment is at capacity, with a waiting list.

By Kari Dequine Harden    September 9, 2013    3 comments

Check here for Orleans public schools’ opening days

School starting dates vary throughout the month of August.

By Jessica Williams    August 1, 2013    1 comment

Lusher expects to dip into reserves to cover expenses in 2013-14 school year

But a Louisiana Supreme Court decision on school vouchers funding means the school could take a smaller hit than first expected.

By Heather Miller    June 6, 2013    

Lusher expects $260 more per student following court’s decision on voucher funding

The extra money means the school will not have to dip as far into its reserves as originally planned for next school year.

By Heather Miller    June 6, 2013    

Lusher plans public hearing on $15.8 million budget at 6 p.m. tonight

The board is expected to vote on the proposal Saturday.

By Heather Miller    May 22, 2013    

Lusher adds five people to its governing board, expanding to 13

Also, the school's draft $16 million budget for 2014. Lusher will dip into its substantial reserves to cover a $641,000 deficit, which LeCesne attributed to both rising costs and sinking revenues

By Robert Morris    April 22, 2013    

NOPD says feds now looking into 2011 embezzlement from Lusher Charter School

So far Lauren Hightower has not been charged with any crime, though she admitted taking money from the school.

By Tom Gogola    April 17, 2013    1 comment

Forgery charge looms for ex-Lusher accountant, NOPD says

Because the money was returned, police are pursuing forgery rather than theft charges.

By Tom Gogola    March 20, 2013    1 comment

Lusher grapples with new football rules, grants same-sex benefits

As the rest of the city focused on the Super Bowl this past weekend, officials at Lusher Charter School had their minds on high school football – and potential injuries that their students could face next school year. Recent division changes made by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association pose a “danger” for students at Lusher and other schools in the city, board president Blaine LeCesne told school officials during a meeting Saturday.

By Della Hasselle    February 5, 2013    

Police report adds details surrounding theft at Lusher

A New Orleans police report regarding embezzlement at Lusher Charter School provides more details regarding the theft of $25,000 last school year, including the name of the employee involved. Accounting office employee Lauren Hightower, 30, forged the signature of Lusher Chief Executive Officer Kathy Riedlinger and others on six checks, according to the report released Friday to The Lens.

By Jessica Williams    December 21, 2012    

RSD: Landry and its F grade will dissolve in merger with Walker

For months, officials have described the planned merger between West Bank rivals O. Perry Walker and L.B. Landry high schools as a “unification.”

The new school could have an ecumenical new name: “Landry Walker High School,” planners said.

By Heather Miller    December 21, 2012    

Audit: Lusher employee embezzled $25,000 from school

An employee in the accounting department at Lusher Charter School embezzled $25,000 last school year by forging five checks she wrote to herself from the school’s bank account, according to an audit report obtained by The Lens. The audit report doesn’t identify the “high ranking employee in the Business Office,” who was ultimately fired.

By Jessica Williams    December 19, 2012    

Audubon leaders still worry Lusher will grab Allen building

Audubon Charter School officials on Saturday were still feeling the sting. Two days earlier, an Orleans Parish School Board committee discussed whether to give the Henry W. Allen School building to Lusher Charter School.

By Michael Patrick Welch    December 18, 2012    

Lusher anti-bullying effort wins $10,000 award from Brees

Lusher Charter School CEO Kathy Riedlinger and High School Principal Wiley Ates announced Saturday that Lusher students’ “I Am” campaign idea had won $10,000 in the Drew Brees “Trust Your Crazy Ideas” competition, beating out St. Augustine High School, New Orleans College Prep Charter School, and Isidore Newman School.

By Michael Patrick Welch    December 11, 2012    

Lusher tops among state's K-12 schools; OneApp admissions option rejected

Lusher has the highest performance score—170.7— in the state, among schools that run from kindergarten through grade 12, school leader Kathy Riedlinger advised the charter’s board of directors at their monthly meeting Oct. 12.

By Michael Patrick Welch    November 13, 2012    

Fifty windows blown out by Isaac; search continues for kindergarten space

Hurricane Issac topped the agenda at Lusher’s monthly board meeting, Sept. 8.

By Michael Patrick Welch    September 11, 2012    

Board approves one-time faculty salary boost; leaders discuss enrollment with RSD

Lusher Charter School’s board of directors renewed the contract of the school’s chief executive officer and gave her and the school’s faculty a one-time pay bump at its monthly board meeting Saturday. Board members also discussed plans to refurbish school buildings, and work with the Recovery School District to tailor its centralized enrollment process to Lusher’s admission requirements.

By Yomi Akinyemi    July 30, 2012    

Lusher Charter School's budget meeting reveals $11 million surplus

The Lusher Charter School’s board announced at its annual budget meeting that ongoing building maintenance and raises for faculty and administrators will result in an increase in expenses in next year’s budget, effective July 1. The 2012-2013 budget hearing held Wednesday, June 6 at 10 a.m.

By Yomi Akinyemi    June 7, 2012    

Lusher projects 3 percent budget bump

The board that runs Lusher Charter School’s three campuses, announced 3 percent budget increase from last year in its first draft of its 2012-2013 budget, which goes into effect July 1. The board, Advocates for Arts Based Education, will hold a public hearing on the budget Wednesday, June 5 at 10 a.m.

By Yomi Akinyemi    June 5, 2012    

Budget available for review

A public hearing on the school’s new budget will be held Wednesday

Review the numbers for Lusher’s 2012-13 budget here. For comparison, see the current year’s budget here.

By Charter Schools Editor    May 31, 2012    

Some of Jindal's ed agenda already in place; conflict-of-interest rule change urged

Lusher’s board of directors began their monthly meeting, March 3, with discussion of Governor Bobby Jindal’s education agenda and how the proposed legislation would affect Lusher. One Jindal proposal is to put more weight on SAT and ACT scores and other college preparation work to determine a high school’s School Performance Score (SPS).

By Michael Patrick Welch    March 6, 2012    

Playground, lunch terrace and safety plans dominate board's agenda

Work hard, play hard. At its monthly meeting on Jan.

By Travis Andrews    January 31, 2012    

Common Core to replace LEAP-based curriculum after three-year phase-in

A curriculum change is imminent. At its monthly meeting on Dec.

By Travis Andrews    December 13, 2011    

Tulane partnership formalized; school takes wait-and-see stance toward citywide app

Advocates for Arts Based Education Corp. the board governing Lusher Charter School, met Nov.

By Travis Andrews    November 8, 2011    

Board meeting agenda released

The notice for Saturday’s Lusher Board meeting is reprinted below:

The Board of Directors of Advocates for Arts Based Education Corporation will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., in Room 207, at 5624 Freret Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Below is the Agenda For the Meeting.

By Charter Schools Editor    November 3, 2011    

School rated top in the state; board seats Lusher alumna Andrea Armstrong

Advocates for Arts Based Education Corp. the board governing Lusher Charter School, met Oct.

By Travis Andrews    October 13, 2011    

Board meeting moved to Wednesday evening

The Lusher Charter school board meeting for October has been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.

By Charter Schools Editor    October 7, 2011    

Board moves meeting to 6pm Wednesday, Oct. 12

The Lusher Charter School Board meeting for October has been moved to Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 6pm. It had been previously scheduled for Saturday 10am.

By Charter Schools Editor    October 7, 2011    

Lusher holds budget and enrollment projection steady, as board reviews year ahead

The board of directors of Advocates for Arts Based Education Corporation, the charter management organization that runs Lusher, began at 10 a.m. Sept.

By Travis Andrews    September 12, 2011    

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