[CharterSchools] OPSB SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS INSPIRE NOLA TO OPERATE MCDONOGH 35 HIGH SCHOOL

[charterschools at LACharter.org]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Dominique Ellis
(504) 250-0030
communications at opsb.us

 
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS INSPIRE NOLA TO OPERATE MCDONOGH 35 HIGH SCHOOL
NEW ORLEANS – (Dec. 20, 2018) - After an intensive year of community meetings, including multiple discussions with students, families, and alumni, Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. will recommendInspire NOLA, one of the highest academic performing charter operators in the school district, to manage McDonogh 35 Senior High School. Dr. Lewis will make his recommendation to the OPSB today, Thursday, December 20 at 5:30pm at the regular board business meeting.
 
“As a district team, we have met multiple times with families, alumni, business, and community leaders, as well as elected officials who graduated from the school,” said Dr. Lewis. “As one of our community’s most loved and historic high schools, I make this decision with students and the future of New Orleans first public high school for African-Americans at the forefront.”
 
Once a public magnet school, McDonogh 35 High School has dropped in its academic ranking since 2005. 
 
“My goal is to bring McDonogh 35 back into its premiere position as an academically successful, first-tier high school and this is the best step forward,” said Dr. Lewis. “There is a high bar set for McDonogh 35 and we will meet it.”
 
Inspire NOLA operates five charter schools in New Orleans and has a consistent record of operating high academic performing high schools in New Orleans, specifically Edna Karr and McMain, according to the Louisiana Department of Education’s rankings. Additionally, Inspire NOLA allows its hired educators to stay in the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL).
 
“Our administration met extensively with all stakeholders and patiently reviewed several proposals, but in the end, as Superintendent, my job is simple: To foster the best for our children and their academic success.  Inspire NOLA’s high academic standing and their ability to replicate their successful legacy high school model with strong community engagement and support has made them the best choice for the children who are, and will be, attending this school,” said Dr. Lewis. 
 
Dr. Lewis said he will encourage McDonogh 35 alumni to continue to volunteer and actively shape and support the future direction and mission of the school.
 
“Every public charter school is a reflection of the shared mission and vision of its leadership, teachers, students, parents, alumni and community,” stressed Dr. Lewis. “I value the commitment to this school and encourage all who want to help propel our students and community forward to do so. We are moving ahead with promise.”
 
###
 
The OPSB currently oversees 78 public schools, including 75 charter schools, two direct-operated schools and a school with two educational programs for students in secure-care facilities. On July 1, all New Orleans public schools were unified under the oversight of the locally-elected Orleans Parish School Board for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. Learn more about Unification here.
 
For more information, visit www.opsb.us. For updates, follow OPSB onFacebook,Instagram @orleansparishschoolboard andTwitter @_OPSB.
 
 
 
 
--
Dominique Ellis
Senior Account Manager
The Ehrhardt Group
365 Canal Street | Suite 1750
New Orleans, LA 70130
504.558.1815 |office
504.250-0030 | cell
theehrhardtgroup.com
 
 



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist9.pair.net/pipermail/charterschools/attachments/20181220/f43b4997/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 12821 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://pairlist9.pair.net/pipermail/charterschools/attachments/20181220/f43b4997/attachment-0001.jpg>