Month: March 2013

In the News: March 20, 2013

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this Edition of In the News:

  • Resurgent New Orleans
  • News from the OPSB
  • Latest on LA Education Reforms
  • BESE Approves MFP for 2013-14
  • National Education Stories
  • Local News
  • Announcement: Grant Funds Available

Resurgent New Orleans

New Orleans reached 81 percent of pre-Katrina population in 2012, Census figures show
Times-Picayune – March 14, 2013
New Orleans continues to grow and, according to the latest Census data, was at 81% of the city’s pre-Katrina population as of July 1, 2012. The New Orleans metropolitan area was in the top 25 counties for growth – the only urban center in that group. This growth includes a new influx of professionals to the city – from recent graduates to entrepreneurs to seasoned corporate professionals. Read more about the resurgence of New Orleans in this Times-Picayune article.

Continue reading →

News Alert: Is Ira Thomas Breaking State Law?

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

OPSB President Ira Thomas could be violating state law by holding a seat on the Orleans Parish School Board while also working for the state.

Thomas has served on the Orleans Parish School Board for the past four years. He has been Police Chief for Southern University at New Orleans for three and a half years. By holding both positions, he may be violating Louisiana’s Dual Office Holding and Dual Employment Law.

The law states: “No person holding an elective office in a political subdivision of this state shall at the same time hold another elective office or full-time appointive office in the government of this state or in the government of a political subdivision thereof. No such person shall hold at the same time employment in the government of this state, or in the same political subdivision in which he holds an elective office.”

Read more about Thomas and what might happen next in The Lens.

Update 3-19-13:  Board President Ira Thomas said he will seek the opinion of the state Attorney General on whether it is legal for him to be both the board President and an employee of Southern University at New Orleans, where he directs security.