NEW ORLEANS — At the start of the 2024 school year there will be one less charter school in New Orleans. The Leah Chase school, which is currently the Lafayette Academy will be run directly by the district, according to an announcement by NOLA PS.
Since the district made the announcement earlier this month, WWL Louisiana has been working to get more information. We caught up with Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams at a scheduled presentation to City Council Monday.
Dr. Williams says they are working on the plans to run the school, but says information is still limited.
"Planning has begun from a very high level right now but if this is approved by our board then certainly we have work to do to make sure we have hiring in place and curriculum in place and so forth," Dr. Williams said.
She adds, this is the first time in recent history this has been done. More information should be available after February's NOLA PS school board meeting.
In the meantime, NOLA PS presented updates to their strategic plan to the city council's community development committee.
The plan focuses on four commitments: effective and connected communications; high quality schools; student, staff and community well-being; and operational excellence.
Residents in attendance expressed their frustration, saying the system isn't working for the community.
"It’s like what parents children and community actually want and ask for falls on deaf ears every time and we don’t have a mechanism to hold the schools accountable," one resident said during public comment.
Councilmember Freddie King said he understands the frustration but says Monday's meeting is a step forward.
"My biggest takeaway is that Nola Public Schools they are trying to bridge the gap between kids who need help and finding that help and bringing the community into those conversations," King said.