Orleans Parish School Board to Combine
McDonough Numbers 15, 42, 32, and 35

New school to be called McDonough #114

Under pressure from Governor Blanco, Mayor Nagin, and thousands of angry parents to reopen the public schools more quickly, the Orleans Parish School Board announced today that it would combine McDonough numbers 15, 42, 32, and 35 into one 24-hour “super school.”

The new school will be called McDonough #114.

The plan copies heavily from efforts by area private and parochial schools to retain students with a two-shift school day. One set of students attends classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while another studies from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Rummel/Brother Martin/Mt. Carmel and St. Martin’s/Jesuit currently have such arrangements.

The McDonough #114 plan, however, calls for a third shift of students from midnight to 7 a.m.

The plan is seen as a calculated response to proponents of an initiative to create a new series of public charter schools that will operate independently of the School Board.

“With a three-shift system, we can educate our city’s youth without the need for independent charter schools,” said School Board President Torin Sanders.

When told by reporters that the numbers of the four McDonough schools actually added up to 124, not 114, Sanders responded:

“Sorry. I guess we forgot to carry the one.”

Related Stories:

Jesuit High Roof Pool Moved to Basement
De La Salle To Admit Boys