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Charter School Board

InspireNOLA

Edna Karr High School

Andrew H. Wilson Charter School

Alice M. Harte Charter School

Ahead of unification, Orleans school district formalizes warning system for charters

The first warning went to Alice Harte Charter School for initially denying admission to a student.

By Marta Jewson    July 12, 2017    

Live blog: New Orleans schools chief meeting with parents in Broadmoor

Town-hall meeting is designed to let parents bring concerns straight to the superintendent.

By Marta Jewson    November 9, 2015    

Historic switch today to School Board highlights changes in New Orleans schools

MLK charter is the first eligible school to choose Orleans Parish School Board oversight.

By Marta Jewson    July 1, 2015    13 comments

Wilson Charter seeks community development director; LEAP scores prove disappointing

Departure of four teachers seen as a big improvement on former attrition rate of more than 50 percent in one year.

By Kristen Himmelberg    June 3, 2014    4 comments

Karr High and Harte Elementary name new principals; project year-end budget surpluses

Public hearing on next year's budgets set for 5 p.m. June 30.

By Kelsey Foster    June 3, 2014    

State releases elementary and middle-school standardized test scores

How did your school do?

By Jessica Williams    May 27, 2014    10 comments

Plagiarism on standardized tests three times higher in New Orleans schools than rest of Louisiana

New Orleans schools continue to have a higher rate of plagiarism on standardized tests than the rest of the state. Two factors could be at play: There could be a greater pressure to succeed, and there are more low-scorers in big cities.

By Jessica Williams    May 21, 2014    1 comment

Wilson board launches recruitment drive, urges hiring community development director

Cook-off Finale scheduled for next Monday evening. The event, which has been likened to TV's "Top Chef," is sponsored by Wilson's parents association.

By Kristen Himmelberg    May 13, 2014    

InspireNOLA group to add two executive directors as it bids for third school

Both Karr and Harte can expect $500,000 surpluses as OPSB coughs up deferred tax revenues owed to the schools.

By Kelsey Foster    April 2, 2014    1 comment

Successful gala pushes fundraising for ‘Wilson to Washington’ trip near its goal

Suspension rate drops sharply thanks to use of restorative circles to address misbehavior.

By Kristen Himmelberg    February 28, 2014    1 comment

InspireNOLA ponders taking on administrative duties performed by Algiers charter group

Switch would require hiring four to six staffers at a cost that could top $500,000 with benefits, directors say.

By Kelsey Foster    February 26, 2014    1 comment

Wilson School directors shell out $400,000 to sever all ties with for-profit manager

Irregularities in the school’s bookkeeping fed dissatisfaction with EdisonLearning, but the settlement agreement casts no blame.

By Kristen Himmelberg    February 14, 2014    4 comments

Broadmoor Charter Schools Board releases meeting agenda

Tonight's BCSB meeting begins at 6:30pm.

By Charter Schools Editor    February 4, 2014    

Board renews contracts with Karr, Harte school leaders; enrollments rising

One new school is already over capacity and the other is nearing it.

By Kelsey Foster    January 30, 2014    

Algiers charter group holding public hearing about return to school board oversight

ACSA will hold a hearing Tuesday evening and take a vote two days later.

By Kelsey Foster    December 6, 2013    

Andrew Wilson school sees improved financial picture

Board gets news of $2,500 grant from Lupin Foundation.

By Art Bueno    November 21, 2013    

Karr, Harte enrollment is higher than expected

Increased enrollment means more money for the two schools.

By Kelsey Foster    November 19, 2013    

Karr rebuilding plans move forward

Construction to replace Algiers school must begin by June 30.

By Kelsey Foster    October 29, 2013    

Wilson having problems with OneApp approach

School says OneApp is sending them students who are unprepared.

By Art Bueno    October 23, 2013    2 comments

Wilson school to upgrade energy system

Principal reports that bulk of fourth and eighth graders are reading below their grade level.

By Kelsey Foster    September 25, 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

Karr, Harte schools have more students than they predicted

Enrollment increase will mean more money from state in per-pupil funding.

By Thomas Thoren    August 27, 2013    

Broadmoor board approves 2013-14 school budget

Andrew Wilson charter expects 608 students.

By Stephen Babcock    August 1, 2013    

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

Two Algiers schools see enrollment above projections

Harte and Karr, now run by InspireNOLA, experiencing budget surpluses as well.

By Kelsey Foster    July 30, 2013    

State documents detail standardized test cheating, irregularities at New Orleans schools

In three recent testing years, 33 public schools have been flagged for problems and possible cheating on standardized tests — 12 more than once. A testing expert says these irregularities indicate cheating by teachers and administrators, who have a lot riding on their students' performance.

By Jessica Williams    July 16, 2013    28 comments

New board of directors readies to take over two Algiers charter schools

Harte and Karr will now be run by InspireNOLA instead of the Algiers Charter Schools Association

By Kelsey Foster    June 25, 2013    1 comment

Wilson charter holds summer remediation following release of test scores

It's going to take more work to meet new Common Core standards, leader says.

By Hannah Iannazzo    June 10, 2013    

Leaders say testing gains will qualify F-rated McDonogh #32 and Fischer for charter renewals

Both schools needed to see at least a 10 point increase to their school performance score.

By Kelsey Foster    June 5, 2013    

Wilson charter to funnel all media requests through principal or board president

Policy states that “without exception” all requests from media and local, state and federal agencies will be required to go through the principal or his designee.

By Hannah Iannazzo    May 8, 2013    

Algiers leaders try to bridge divide between Walker and Landry students prior to merger

Students and community members have expressed fears about turf wars between some students from the two campuses.

By Kelsey Foster    May 6, 2013    1 comment

Wilson Charter School taps new board member for Broadmoor school

James Baker, an experienced project manager, was selected for his ties to Broadmoor and education.

By Hannah Iannazzo    April 16, 2013    

Wilson Charter, EdisonLearning blaming one another for $400,000 shortfall

Auditors have cited the school for problems every year in the school’s five-year history.

By Jessica Williams    March 29, 2013    2 comments

Walker and Landry merger opponents air frustrations before BESE members

BESE members Kira Orange Jones and Lottie Beebe indicated they were just becoming familiar with the depth of the anti-merger outcry.

By Kelsey Foster    March 14, 2013    6 comments

Suspensions spike in January at Andrew Wilson Charter, administration reports

Administrators suspended 20 students in January, up from six in December.

By Della Hasselle    March 1, 2013    1 comment

Wilson board members praise Cantrell, discuss fundraising

At its January monthly meeting, the Andrew Wilson Charter School board heaped praise on its former president, LaToya Cantrell, saying her leadership was instrumental in the creation and establishment of the school in the Broadmoor community.

By Yomi Akinyemi    January 24, 2013    

Algiers charter board rejects schools’ return to OPSB

The Algiers Charter Schools Association voted 5-2 Thursday night to keep three schools under Recovery School District jurisdiction, despite months of pleas from many in those school communities to let them go. Improved student test scores at O. Perry Walker High School, Martin Berhman Elementary and Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary made the schools eligible return to Orleans Parish School Board oversight rather than being part of the Recovery School District.

By Rebecca Catalanello    January 3, 2013    1 comment

Will board say yes or no to Orleans Parish School Board control?

The Algiers Charter Schools Association board is poised to vote tomorrow on whether or not to recommend three schools return to Orleans Parish School Board control. Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy, Martin Behrman Elementary School and O. Perry Walker Senior High School are each eligible to leave the Recovery School District due to their students’ improved performance on the state’s standardized tests.

By Rebecca Catalanello    January 2, 2013    

Details of Walker-Landry merger don't alleviate critics' concerns

More than 100 L.B. Landry and O. Perry Walker students, alumni, and parents met with representatives of the Algiers Charter School Association again Wednesday night to discuss a potential plan for a merger of the two West Bank high schools.

By Kelsey Foster    December 13, 2012    

Behrman and Walker firmly oppose continued RSD oversight

Money and control are key concerns of Algiers Charter School Association officials facing the decision to switch three of the organization’s schools to Orleans Parish School Board governance, board members said Tuesday night. The charter operator has a Jan.

By Jessica Williams    December 12, 2012    

Group unveils Walker-Landry merger plan details

A committee tasked with crafting the fall 2013 merger of two Algiers neighborhood high schools faced heated opposition from both school communities again Saturday during a public forum held to lay out a unification plan for O. Perry Walker and L.B. Landry high schools.

By Heather Miller    December 11, 2012    

Walker community to ACSA board: Let us go and leave us alone

Let us go and leave us alone. That was the message employees and parents from O.

By Rebecca Catalanello    December 7, 2012    

Performance scores near target; health care grant would help students

A modest increase in Andrew Wilson’s 2011- 2012 school performance score was the main focus at the monthly board meeting, Oct 22.Last year’s school performance score was 77.9, a gain of 7.6 points from last year, just short of the 10 point growth target set by school administrators. Principal Logan Crowe and Assistant Principal Ronicka Briscoe told the board that while the school just narrowly missed its benchmark, internal assessments reveal an upward trend in reading and math comprehension.

By Yomi Akinyemi    October 29, 2012    

Algiers Charter Schools board meeting cancelled

By Della Hasselle, Lens Charter School Reporter |

The Algiers Charter School Association cancelled a board meeting scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25th at 6 p.m., hours before the meeting was supposed to occur.

By Charter Schools Editor    October 29, 2012    

Fundraiser for after-school programs may be cancelled and replaced by concert event

At its September monthly meeting, the Andrew Wilson board discussed various revenue streams and fundraising endeavors to pay for its after-school programs.

Board member Nancy Marshall said the scheduled fundraiser on October 23 might be cancelled because some donors and participants cited time constraints due to involvement in upcoming local and national elections on November 6. Consequently, the board brainstormed several fundraising alternatives.

By Yomi Akinyemi    September 30, 2012    

ACSA interim CEO pledges improved communication

Algiers Charter Schools Association interim CEO Adrian Morgan presented a plan for improved communication, collaboration, and coordination at the association’s board meeting Thursday night at Algiers Technology Academy. Morgan, who has been on the job for only 14 days, pointed to meetings with community groups, parents, and staff as a key to overcoming the strained relationships the charter organization has faced in recent months.

By Kelsey Foster    August 24, 2012    

Association board reviews school budgets; final numbers hinge on enrollment

The Algiers Charter Schools Association met Monday night in the O. Perry Walker library to publicly review finances for the 2012-2013 school year. Finance director Charlie Mackles led a short presentation on each school’s proposed budget.

By Kelsey Foster    August 14, 2012    

Spending cuts to counter drop in revenues; slight budget surplus projected

Despite $5.7 million less in federal funding, the Algiers Charter School Association forecasts a budget surplus for the 2012-13 school year, in contrast to its $1.3 million budget deficit in 2011-12. Most of the decline in federal revenues stems from diminished Title 1 funding and an expired Teacher Incentive Grant.

By Kelsey Foster    August 12, 2012    

Algiers Charter Schools Association releases prospective 2012-13 budgets

View the budget numbers in this .pdf spreadsheet.

By Charter Schools Editor    August 10, 2012    

Association schools face slide in revenues as budgets are released for public review

Revenues decrease in the coming year for the Algiers Charter School Association, due mainly to expiration of a Teacher Incentive Grant and reduction in the size of Title 1 money.  

That’s the salient news from the budget for the upcoming school year released Thursday night.

By Kelsey Foster    July 31, 2012    

Board seeks increased parent participation, enhanced after-school programs

At its first meeting of the school year, the board of Andrew Wilson Charter briefed the public on a June retreat in which members brainstormed ways to encourage parent involvement and enhance after-school programs.

School officials also gave an update on recent staff hires, current budget figures, and enrollment. The school is expanding its after-school programs to give students a more balanced, all-around learning experience, members said.

By Yomi Akinyemi    July 26, 2012    

Board meeting agenda released

Review the agenda for the board’s July meeting here.

By Charter Schools Editor    July 23, 2012    

Concerned about personnel issues, protesters mass at closed board meeting

As the Algiers Charter School Association board met behind closed doors Thursday night, a crowd of parents, teachers, and students gathered to protest controversial staffing changes. Some in the crowd at the school association’s central office were  protesting the fate of O. Perry Walker principal Mary Laurie, who faces  transfer to the failing Algiers Technical Academy.

By Kelsey Foster    July 16, 2012    

ACSA puts controversial personnel moves on hold after crowd chants: “Raza must go”

More than 300 members of the Algiers community gathered at the McDonogh 32 Literacy Charter School to speak out against recent firings and the transfer of successful principals to failing schools within the charter organization. A call and response chant of “Raza must go” and “erase the board” came following the end of an unofficial public comment section and disrupted the regularly scheduled Algiers Charter School Association board meeting Thursday, June 28.

By Kelsey Foster    July 2, 2012    

Orleans Parish School Board raises concerns over terminated employees in Algiers Charter Schools system

The first round of cuts has surfaced from the Algiers Charter School Association’s bid to improve student performance by terminating and moving around principals, and so far, it’s not only principals who’ve been targeted. At least one termination, at Edna Karr High School, is in violation of the Orleans Parish School Board’s contract with the charter school group, School Board officials say.

By Jessica Williams    June 15, 2012    

Andrew Wilson Charter School's budget expected to increase 9.7 percent

At the June 4 annual budget hearing, Andrew Wilson Charter School Principal Logan Crowe and Director of Operations Darius Munchak projected a nearly 10 percent increase for the 2012-2013 budget over last year’s actual expenditures. The school spent about $4.7 million last year and expects to spend less than $5.2 million in this upcoming school year.

By Mary Catherine Cassidy    June 11, 2012    

2012-13 budget released

Review the budget narrative here and the budget numbers here.

By Charter Schools Editor    June 8, 2012    

Students to take more practice tests; school joins Eastbank Collaborative

At its May meeting, the board of Andrew Wilson Charter School discussed academic and possible policy changes for next year, and finalized the school’s affiliation with the local charter school support association, the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools. School officials also discussed open teaching positions and hiring standards, as well as enrollment numbers.

By Mary Catherine Cassidy    June 7, 2012    

Interim CEO and academic officer named – to mixed response; enrollment rises

Algiers Charter Schools Association’s board has approved Stuart Gay, the association’s chief financial officer, to serve as interim chief executive officer of the charter management organization, succeeding Andrea Thomas-Reynolds who did not seek to renew her contract. The board’s action, at its May 23 monthly meeting, was greeted with applause from the audience.

By Kelsey Foster    May 29, 2012    

Board meeting agenda released

The board governing Andrew H. Wilson charter will hold their monthly meeting tomorrow. Review their agenda here.

By Charter Schools Editor    May 21, 2012    

Optional retirement program approved for teachers and staff; Karr and Harte remain in fold

Trustees of the Algiers Charter School Association have approved the Hartman Group as provider of the optional 403(b) retirement program for school employees. The approval, at the board’s monthly meeting, April 26,  followed a state attorney general’s opinion earlier in the week that the Louisiana Constitution precludes charter schools from leaving the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana.

By Kelsey Foster    May 1, 2012    

Board to meet with PTO as school year winds down; academics at par; budget balanced

Directors of the Andrew H. Wilson Charter School will meet with the school’s parent-teacher organization at an open assembly in May, and parents are encouraged to fill out an evaluation form being circulated by the school. The PTO meeting was one of several end-of-the-school-year topics discussed at the board’s monthly meeting, April 17.

By Scott Gloden    April 18, 2012    

Board meeting agenda released

Review the detailed agenda for the April 17 meeting.

By Charter Schools Editor    April 16, 2012    

EdisonLearning dismissed; mission statement under review; summer arts camp seeks funds

Starting with the next school year Andrew H. Wilson Charter School will handle all educational services in-house rather than use EdisonLearning Inc., the for-profit company that has performed that role for the past five years. The shift has been under discussion by the board since it was first proposed in December by principal Logan Crowe.

By Jenny Peterson    April 10, 2012    

New formula keeps more dollars in schools; ACSA to manage Karr, Harte through next year

The Algiers Charter School Association board met March 22 to discuss a new formula for capping the administrative fee it retains from state funds awarded to the schools it manages. Under the previous formula, the association’s central office could retain up to 8.65 percent of a school’s Minimum Foundation Program allocation (the per-student amount allotted by the state) plus the school’s “special revenues,” such as teacher incentive funds and the like.

By Kelsey Foster    March 27, 2012    

Board meeting agenda released

The agenda of the board meeting at Andrew Wilson Charter School is pasted below:

 

BCSB MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

Andrew H. Wilson Charter School (cafeteria)

March 27, 2012 6:30 p.m. 6:30 -6:35 pm (start on time)—Call to Order, Roll Call and Board President Welcome (5 min.)

6:35 -6:37 pm—Approve board minutes (2 min.)

6:37-6:45 pm—Board Officers’ Reports (8 min)

?        Chair

?        Vice Chair

?        Finance Chair

6:50-6:58 pm—Committee Updates

?        Board Governance (2 min)

?        Academic Excellence (2 min)

?        Finance (2 min)

?        Fundraising (2 min)

6:58-7:38 pm—Discussion Time and Board Action Items (40 min)

?       Board Governance (10 min)

a. Discussion-

– Draft employee handbook/process for creating final handbook

b. Motion: Accept proposed board responsibility contract

Motion: Adopt proposed principal monthly report

Public Comment

Board Vote

?        Finance (10 min)

a. Discussion-

– Audit findings (to be discussed in detail during operations report)

– Budget report/Profit and Loss

b. Motion: Louisiana State Government budget policy

Motion: Louisiana State Procurement policy

Motion: Accept HR Generalist position description

Public Comment

Board Vote

?        Academic Excellence (10 min)

a. Discussion-

– Principal Evaluation

– Val-Ed (Darius Munchak)

b. Motion: Louisiana State Government budget policy

Motion: Accept proposed revised educational plan

 Public Comment

Board Vote

?        Fundraising (10 min)

7:38-8:03 pm—Edison and School Administrative Reports (40 minutes)

?        Edison Report (10 min)

?        School leader (10 min)

?        Operations (20 min)

8:03-8:10 pm—Announce next board meeting and committee meetings

8:10 pm —Meeting adjourned

8:10 pm – CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

By Charter Schools Editor    March 27, 2012    

Amid benefits uncertainties, board tells staff: We're not going to leave you in the lurch

Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect the fact that board president Cassandra Bookman did not say the quote previously attributed to her. It has also been amended and corrected to reflect key points about teachers retirement benefits. 

The Algiers Charter School Association met Tuesday night with a crowd of about 100 parents, teachers, and community members to discuss the transition to new management of both Alice M. Harte Elementary and Edna Karr High School.

By Kelsey Foster    March 8, 2012    

Increased language study and more teacher feedback urged on school's academic blueprint

Hiring an ESL teacher for bilingual students and beefing up Spanish and math curricula are among ideas in a future-oriented blueprint for the Andrew H. Wilson Charter School. “We are anticipating a growing number of students who have English as a second language,” principal Logan Crowe told members of the Broadmoor Charter School Board, Wilson’s governing body, at their monthly meeting, Feb.

By Jenny Peterson    March 6, 2012    

Board no-shows make for a voteless meeting; academic benchmark scores called 'alarming'

Enforcement and possible amendment of the organization’s rules dominated discussion at the monthly meeting of the board that governs Andrew H. Wilson Charter  School, but no votes could be taken because not enough members showed up for the Jan. 24 session.

By Jenny Peterson    January 26, 2012    

With Edison contract up in the air, board discusses options for next year

The board of Andrew H. Wilson Charter School has put off a decision on whether to end its arrangement with a for-profit management company, leaving unanswered many questions about next year. At their monthly meeting on Dec.

By Jenny Peterson    December 21, 2011    

Teachers fight layoffs as board targets deficits

Just outside the gates of the navy base that was formerly a pillar of the Algiers neighborhood, teachers wonder what their future might be in a rapidly changing school system. The Algiers Charter School Association, which now runs eight schools in the community, is looking to cut 30 positions to keep a balanced budget and could end participation in the state retirement system, starting next fall.

By Alex Belser    December 14, 2011    

Edison contract extended only through June, as board weighs alternatives to for-profit provider

Andrew H. Wilson Charter School’s contract with Edison Learning Systems has been extended only to the end of the current school year, leaving open the possibility that at their next meeting board members will vote to permanently sever the five-year relationship with the for-profit service provider. The half-year extension of a modified contract with Edison was the key development at the Nov.

By Jenny Peterson    December 1, 2011    

Pension debate triggers outcry at board meeting; performance scores run the gamut

Directors of the Algiers Charter Schools Association gathered Oct. 27 for a monthly meeting that drew a capacity crowd of over 200.

By Marta Jewson    November 1, 2011    

Edison Learning, Inc., facing competition for management next year

After four years of being the main educational consulting service of Andrew H. Wilson Charter School, Edison Learning, Inc. may be replaced.

By Jenny Peterson    October 27, 2011    

Algiers Charter School Board releases agenda

Click the following link to review the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting at Martin Behrman Academy: ACSA Regular Board Agenda 10-27-2011A

By Charter Schools Editor    October 26, 2011    

Board meeting agenda released

Review the Broadmoor Charter School Board meeting agenda here.

By Charter Schools Editor    October 24, 2011    

Algiers Charter School Meeting agenda released

Review it at the following link: ACSA Board Agenda 9-29-2011final.

By Charter Schools Editor    September 29, 2011    

Enrollment is up, but preliminary scores trigger massive remedial effort in reading

Directors of Andrew H. Wilson Charter School got a grim report on student performance at their Sept. 27 meeting.

By Jenny Peterson    September 29, 2011    

Meeting agenda

The agenda for the Broadmoor Charter School Board meeting held on September 27 is reprinted below:

 

BCSB MONTHLY MEETING

Andrew H. Wilson Charter School (cafeteria)
September 27, 2011 6:30 p.m. 6:30 -6:35 pm (start on time)—Call to Order, Roll Call and Board President Welcome (5 min.), time keeper: David Winkler-Schmit

6:35 -6:37 pm—Approve board minutes (2 min.)

6:37-6:45 pm—Board Officers’ Reports (8 min)

Chair
Vice Chair
Finance Chair

6:50-6:58 pm—Committee Updates (Committee reports should be sent to the board liaison, Emily Wolff, by the Wed.

By Charter Schools Editor    September 29, 2011    

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