Latest news with #LDOE
Axios
23-07-2025
- Health
- Axios
High lead levels lead to sudden day care closure
High lead levels have led to a lease dispute and the sudden closure of an Algiers Point day care. Why it matters: The closure leaves 30 young New Orleanians and their families without day care, and raises questions about why state officials didn't make sure a lead test had happened before it even opened. Zoom in: The Crescent School announced its closure July 18 after a student was diagnosed with lead poisoning, day care owner Liza Drennon tells Axios New Orleans. When the diagnosis arrived, the student's home and the day care were tested, a Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson confirmed. Elevated lead levels were found both in the soil outside the school, where kids often play throughout the day, and in the dust inside its historic Algiers Point building, Drennon says. One of the city's oldest neighborhoods, it's known to have a denser concentration of lead in its soil. But the levels at the school were so high, Drennon says, she was forced to close immediately, pending remediation. Caveat: It's not clear if the student's diagnosis stemmed directly from exposure at the school, or whether other sources played a role. Drennon declined to put Axios in touch with the family, citing their request for privacy. Threat level: There is no safe level of lead for drinking water, according to the EPA, and soil contamination is of particular concern when children play in it. Go deeper: How to identify lead exposure symptoms. But like many other American cities built on aging infrastructure, New Orleans is grappling with high levels of the substance, which was commonly used in early construction. A massive project to discover and remove the city's lead water pipes, for example, has been in the works for years, but now faces delays due to contractor issues, the Times-Picayune reports. How it works: The day care facility should have been lead-tested before it opened its doors, according to an LDH spokeswoman, citing state law. While the Louisiana Department of Education ultimately licenses these facilities, it relies on LDH to ensure compliance with health guidelines, an LDOE spokesman said. But LDH's "pre-opening inspection" does not include lead testing, and documents outlining LDOE's physical facility requirements don't mention lead. Rather, LDH says it requires testing "only when LDH receives mandatory notification of a case of lead poisoning or lead exposure." In other words, Drennon was legally required to have the facility lead-tested, but it doesn't appear to be anyone's job to make sure she did it. Drennon says the Crescent School was fully licensed, with a license renewal from the Department of Education arriving just days before the student's lead test results. "I went through countless health inspections, fire inspections and Department of Education inspections," she says, noting that she wasn't aware of any specific lead test requirement. "If I had known I should have gotten a lead inspection, I would have and may never have moved into that building." Yes, but: Either way, the cost to remediate totaled up to about $30,000, a fee Drennon says she couldn't pay without some concessions from her landlord, the neighborhood's Knights of Columbus organization. Drennon, who says the language of her lease protects her landlord from responsibility for the presence of lead, says she asked for a lease extension and reduced rent so she could pay back a family loan for the remediation cost. But the KoC declined after an organization vote. The other side: The KoC saw the proposed rent reduction as "an unsustainably deep cut," according to an emailed statement from Ed Moise, who identified himself as the member who ran point on the school's lease. The group, he said, does not operate as a nonprofit and "must continue to meet certain obligations to maintain our charter. Currently, our options are to: merge with another council, become a non-chartered men's club, or disband, all of which we are currently exploring." "Unfortunately, our current financial situation makes it impossible for us to entertain Ms Drennan's offer," he said. What's next: The dispute is playing out in dramatic fashion in the small New Orleans neighborhood, with Facebook posts and some people even protesting Sunday services at the church affiliated with the local Knights of Columbus.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit of Louisiana Department of Education finds issues with payroll policy compliance
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — An audit of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) found failures in compliance with payroll policies and procedures and state property regulations. According to the report, 14% of 13,937 timesheets processed between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, were approved by supervisors between one and 470 days after the payroll posting date. Auditors said failures in following payroll procedures increase the risk of errors or fraud. A recommendation from auditors encouraged management to provide supervisory oversight to make sure employees comply with policies and procedures. In a response, LDOE agreed with the findings and said its human resources director and payroll manager would implement an action plan that includes sending reminders to employees. Auditors recommended supervisory oversight after identifying a failure in state property regulation compliance. The report said this could result in inaccurate financial reporting and increase the risk that assets could be misreported, lost, or stolen. LDOE's policy and the Louisiana Administrative Code require all movable property with an acquired cost of $1,000 or more to be tagged and inventory information sent to the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency within 60 calendar days. LDOE agreed with the auditors' findings, explaining that the processing of assets was 'challenging' after a surge in inventory, resulting in a backlog and causing submission delays. The department said it would add staffing, implement a streamlined procedure, offer training, conduct audits, and communicate with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's office. Audit of Livingston Parish School Board found misappropriated funds Smoke from Canadian wildfires to affect air quality, visibility in parts of US: What to know Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter Supreme Court allows Trump to revoke Biden's parole program; Sotomayor, Jackson issue scathing dissent BREC Commission appoints interim superintendent Think your return to the office was rough? Elon Musk faces big challenges Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana K-3 students improve reading skills, LDOE reports
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Literacy screener results show that Louisiana students in grades K-3 have improved reading during the school year. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) said end-of-year results showed a 17-point increase in the percentage of students reading on or above grade level. This was the second year that students K-3 were required to complete literacy screeners. 'Strong teachers, sound policy, and strategic investments have resulted in historic education outcomes for Louisiana,' said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. 'We're proud of the progress, but far from satisfied. I'm pleased with the work of teachers in partnership with parents to prompt this growth.' Results show growth: Kindergarten: 33-point growth First grade: 19-point growth Second grade: 11-point growth Third grade: eight-point growth See the finalists for Louisiana teacher, principal of the year Louisiana education leaders credit students' reading improvement to its literacy plan using phonics, high-dosage tutoring, and parent engagement efforts. All public schools are required to complete literacy screeners for K-3. A policy requiring third graders to meet promotion requirements is used to identify students who need more reading help. LDOE said students have three chances to show their reading proficiency by scoring above the lowest achievement level. Gov. Jeff Landry celebrates as Louisiana students' rankings move up in Nation's Report Card Louisiana joined Arkansas and North Carolina in states taking action on all 18 of ExcelinEd's principles in a national comparison of comprehensive early literacy policy released in 2024. LDOE announced in February that the state ranked first in reading recovery from 2019 to 2024 on the Education Recovery Scorecard. According to a news release, an analysis found that pandemic relief contributed to academic recovery, specifically when directed to summer learning and tutoring. The state received $4 billion for K-12 schools. Baton Rouge bids final farewell to former mayor Kip Holden 1 dead, 1 hurt after car crashes into Bayou Plaquemine in Iberville Parish Addis native John Foster shares journey after 'American Idol' Who were the victims of the shooting outside the DC Jewish Museum? GOP campaign arm tells Republicans to 'go on offense' messaging Trump agenda bill Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Caddo Parish student named overall Louisiana Student of the Year for elementary school
A Caddo Parish student was recognized as an overall honoree for the 2025 Student of the Year. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced Friday, May 16, that Mary Mack Thornton was named the elementary school Louisiana Student of the Year. "These students have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service," said Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "They are proof that hard work and high expectations yield extraordinary results." Thornton is a fifth grader at Eden Gardens Elementary School and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She is also a well-rounded student who shines in the classroom, on the playing field and through her artistic interests. Thornton is known as a natural leader and has a deep love for reading. She is aspiring to be an otolaryngologist like her father and is very passionate about childhood health and physical fitness. 'Today, we honor not only academic excellence, but the promise these students hold for Louisiana's future,' BESE President Ronnie Morris said. 'Their talent, leadership and drive inspire confidence in the next generation of Louisiana's leaders.' Each year the LDOE selects regional honorees based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership, character and service to their schools and communities. Selection committees also evaluate electronic portfolios, student writing samples and conduct interviews to assess communication and critical thinking skills. All 24 honorees were celebrated at an awards ceremony May 16 at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge. And only three students were selected as the overall Louisiana Student of the Year. More: Check out three students from northwest Louisiana who were named honorees for Student of the Year Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo student named Louisiana Student of the Year for elementary
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermilion Parish girl named middle school Student of the Year in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. () — A Vermilion Parish girl has been named Louisiana middle school Student of the Year, the has announced. Rylann Renee Viator is an eighth grader at . According to the announcement, Viator has consistently maintained honor roll status and is a well-rounded student excelling in academics, athletics and the arts. She is an active volunteer and serves as a leader in the student council, Junior Beta Club, and 4-H, where she earned first place in public speaking. Viator is especially passionate about promoting the responsible use of social media among her peers. LDOE named three 2025 Students of the Year and honored 24 regional finalists during a ceremony at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge on Friday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The other honorees are fifth grader Mary Mack Thornton from Caddo Parish and 12th grader Neal Pramod Tandon from Jefferson Parish. 'Each of these students have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service,' said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. 'They are proof that hard work and high expectations yield extraordinary results.' According to LDOE, students are selected based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership, character, and service to their schools and communities. Selection committees also evaluate electronic portfolios, student writing samples, and conduct interviews to assess communication and critical thinking skills. Spending bill stalls in Congress Internal document warns 'FEMA is not ready' for hurricane season Tariffs are affecting port traffic Lawmakers say new legislation is needed to educate the public about artificial intelligence Trump World has tough case with Comey over 'assassination' message Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
