RSD chief outlines strategic plan

The new head of the state agency that governs most New Orleans schools has unveiled his strategic plan for the coming years. John White’s plan for the Recovery School District includes development of schools to provide career and technical training, a central enrollment system and a commitment to identify a permanent home for schools that still operate in trailers, according to The Times-Picayune. White, who took over the RSD almost four months ago, developed the strategic plan after a round of community meetings to gather advice. The plan was released Tuesday. The RSD took over most New Orleans schools after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. White says most of the initiatives will be cost-neutral or supported by philanthropy. However, he warns that the district’s method of funding itself won’t be sustainable in the long term. Most, if not all, of the district’s schools will eventually be charters. While a traditional school’s budget is handled by the central office, charters receive most of their per-pupil allocation directly from the state and make their own budgets. By law, the RSD is left with only 1.75% of the total allocation for charter schools, or about $5 million by White’s reckoning, which he says would not allow the district to play the kind of supporting role he envisions.