Tagged: schools

Jefferson Parish school officials are proposing a $404 million budget for 2012-2013.

The Times-Picayune reports the proposal takes into account recent moves to close schools and cut staff to offset rising costs.

The board plans a public hearing on the budget July 25 at Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy High in Kenner.

The largest slice of the budget in in employee compensation for employees — more than $329 million.

The state education department has received more than 10,000 applications for Louisiana's statewide voucher program set to start in August that will use taxpayer money to send students to private and parochial schools.

Superintendent of Education John White announced the applicant numbers Wednesday.

As many as 2,000 of the applicants are in an existing New Orleans voucher program. The others will be vying for slots available to new students under the statewide program pushed by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has appointed Assistant Superintendent Herbert Smith to the position of interim superintendent.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/LCUuQ3) Smith will serve as the temporary replacement for Superintendent Courtney Millet, who announced last week that she would be retiring from her post at the end of this week.

Smith, whose appointment was approved unanimously at Monday's special meeting, has been an educator in the district for more than 40 years and assistant superintendent for about 13.

A judge in New Orleans has ruled in favor of school employees fired after Hurricane Katrina. The decision could pave the way for thousands more workers in a class-action lawsuit.