By Claire Byun
Lusher Charter School officials are gearing up for reaccreditation this week while teachers and students are hoping to premier a new musical in a brand new venue.
Construction on the Freret Street campus’ black box theater is nearing completion, with administrators hoping it’ll be open by early November. The theater – which replaces the makeshift theater on the first floor – features completely black walls and a floor.
School administration at both campuses are preparing for regional accreditation , with representatives from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools visiting early this week.
School administration is hoping to use the new theater for the open house on Nov. 9, but staff already have plans to premiere the Fall musical, ‘A Girl Called Opal.’ Kathy Riedlinger, Lusher CEO, said the new theater is a welcome addition to the arts-focused academy.
“I don’t know who’s more excited, the kids or the teachers,” Riedlinger said Saturday.
Construction on the theater began about six months ago, and both campuses have several more projects in the works, according to Frank Israel, director of operations. Those projects include a lunch plaza, adult restrooms and a new teacher resource room.
Funding for the update comes from a combination of private and public funds from the school, money from the Parent Teacher Student Association and donations from Friends of Lusher, Israel said.
While staff prepare for the theater’s opening, Lusher administration is readying both campuses for a five-year recertification visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. SACS works with southern schools to improve curriculum, facilities and student learning, providing accreditation to schools that meet certain standards.
Lusher has been accredited through SACS since 1976, Israel said.
Administration will host SACS representatives Monday and Tuesday for the first time in five years. Israel and his team have been preparing for reaccreditation for weeks, compiling a report that included evidence of academic programming and faculty, stakeholder and student input on the effectiveness of Lusher’s academic programs.
“There’s pages and pages of data and parent input,” Israel said.
Schools are never given a perfect grade on these evaluations, Israel said, since “there’s always room for improvement.”
Each school usually receives one or two improvement recommendations from SACS after every visit, and school officials can use those recommendations to score funding for facilities or programs. Five years ago, Lusher was asked to improve infrastructure and integrate more technology; both suggestions have been achieved, Israel said.
Officials don’t know what SACS will recommend this visit, but Riedlinger has her hopes set on a big prize.
“I’m hoping they recommend an auditorium,” she said. “Or even better, another building.”
Claire Byun is a freelance reporter based in New Orleans.
