The NOLA Public Schools district found Bricolage Academy “failed to follow” Open Meetings Law and is investigating the charter board’s response to staff grievances, according to documents obtained by Lamplighter. 

Two weeks ago, the district issued a "notice of non-compliance” warning to the Esplanade Avenue charter school. 

The letter cited the board’s failure to post public meeting minutes, questioned the school’s response to staff grievances and cited the school’s failure to respond to direct inquiries from the district — a requirement of charter contracts. 

The warning comes on the heels of a tense May board meeting, the unexpected resignation of the school’s principal and concerns from the Bricolage Community Association.

Staff Grievances and Turnover

In a May letter, Bricolage Community Association President Sari Levy expressed myriad concerns to NOLA Public Schools Director of Accountability Tiffany Young. On behalf of the group, Levy asked the district to investigate the charter’s compliance with state sunshine laws and staff turnover at the elementary school, including the lack of a human resources director. 

In response to questions from Lamplighter, Bricolage CEO Edward Brown said the board “takes all concerns seriously” and is complying with the district. 

Levy’s letter asked the district to investigate “The Board's failure to respond to or investigate formal grievances submitted by more than twenty educators.”

“When BCA representatives requested that this topic be added as an agenda item for the May 12, 2026 public board meeting, that request was denied,” she wrote. 

Levy attended the May meeting, along with BCA member Lauren Wilson. They both spoke during a general public comment period. “We fear this is threatening the stability of the school,” Wilson said of staff turnover and concerns.

Lamplighter asked both Brown and Board President Norman Barnum about the grievances via email last month. Brown gave a general response, answering on behalf of Barnum.

“As with any school community, some concerns involve personnel matters that require confidentiality and respect for the privacy of those involved,” he said.

District Investigation

The district confirmed it was investigating the school and, according to the warning letter, has asked for school policies governing employee grievances and board policies for complaints involving school leadership. 

The warning letter, authored by NOLA Public Schools Chief of School Support and Improvement Kelli Jordan, said the school must respond by mid-August. 

In addition to general policies, Jordan asked for specific response to the staff grievances filed in March, “including acknowledgment of receipt, review or investigation steps taken, and any communication of outcomes or next steps.”

The district found Bricolage “failed to follow Louisiana Open Meetings Law” in failing to post board meeting minutes. 

This week, Brown said that was a technical problem.

“The matter involved technical issues related to access and documentation rather than a failure to maintain required records,” Brown wrote in an email to Lamplighter.

Regarding concerns about the lack of a human resources staff member, Brown wrote, “I have been serving in an interim human resources capacity while the school conducts a search for a permanent HR leader.”

School Leadership

In May, Principal Meehan-Draper’s resignation shocked the school community. “I expected to lead you for many more years,” she wrote, in an email the week she resigned.

“Her departure is the most visible and consequential consequence of the conditions described in this letter,” Levy wrote in her May letter to the district. “There is now significant fear within the school community that additional experienced faculty and administrators will follow.”

It is unclear if Brown has hired a new school director. The school’s careers page lists “Anticipated Leadership Opportunities,” followed by a description that states “including but not limited to:” Instructional Leadership, Student Support & Culture Leadership, Academic Programs & MTSS Leadership, and Organizational Leadership.

State test scores released last week show that under the final year of Meehan-Draper’s leadership Bricolage, the school ranked among the top 10 of elementary school scores in the city. 

Board Concerns

The Bricolage Academy board of directors has not met since May 12, including a day-of cancellation of the July meeting earlier this week.

In April the board listed 11 members. As of Friday, eight members appear on the charter board’s page. Board members Libby Bain, Arnel Cosey and Merritt Lane are no longer listed.

The Bricolage Community Association also asked NOLA Public Schools to review the charter board’s use of executive sessions. 

The board has held several executive sessions over the past year pertaining to “personnel matters.” 

In Louisiana, public agencies are allowed to discuss employees behind closed doors, but the employees must be notified in advance and have the right to request the discussion be held in public. (In 2013, a staff member’s request to have the New Beginnings charter board discuss her job performance publicly led the board to abruptly end its meeting.)

The May board meeting included a closed-door personnel discussion. The board did not disclose the subject of the session, nor do the May meeting minutes.

This week, Brown said the school is complying with the investigation.

The district’s warning letter requires the charter to respond by mid-August.

“Failure to meet these requirements by August 14, 2026 may result in escalated consequences,” Jordan wrote.