The Broadmoor Charter School Board
In the fall of 2006, Broadmoor’s Education and Culture Subcommittee began discussing the need to establish a governing board for Wilson Elementary School as we entered the application phase for charter schools in New Orleans. Board membership was opened first to interested members of the subcommittee. Members then helped to recruit interested, committed, experienced parties from both the Broadmoor community and the New Orleans community at-large.
The Broadmoor Charter School Board is currently made up of 11 members and reflects the diversity of our Broadmoor community. As a board, we are committed to bringing education back to the children of Broadmoor and to providing them a safe, nurturing, challenging environment that reflects the ideals and values of the Broadmoor community.
Constance I. Yeaton- Board Chair
Ms. Yeaton has been a resident of New Orleans since the 1960’s. She holds her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Florida State University, her Master’s in Educational Administration from Louisiana State University, and her Plus 30 from Tulane, Xavier, and Loyola Universities. She holds certification in many areas, including Physical Education, Health Education, Administration and Supervision, Principal (K-12), and City or Parish Superintendent. Ms. Yeaton brings to the Board over 40 years of service in education. She served as a teacher for 15 years and as a principal for 26 years, working for the Orleans Parish School Board for 26 of those years. In her retirement, Ms. Yeaton has also served as a Principal Mentor and as a portfolio evaluator for the New Teacher Project. Ms. Yeaton has personal ties to the Broadmoor community, and she states, “It will be a professional and personal dream to help from the beginning phase to the actual implementation of a school that will actually achieve its mission and vision for children and community.”
Derek N. Rabb, Board Co-Treasurer
Mr. Rabb is a lifelong resident of New Orleans and currently has family living in the Broadmoor neighborhood. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Xavier University, New Orleans, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, and his Master’s of Business Administration, Operations and Finance from Tulane University. Mr. Rabb brings to the Board almost 20 years experience in business, finance, and engineering. Over the course of his career, Mr. Rabb has demonstrated ability to supervise, lead teams, build relationships, and drive change. He has served on the N.O. Sewerage & Water Board Construction Review Board, Housing Authority of N.O. Resident Loan Corporation Review Committee, the National Black MBA Association, and the Work Initiative Corporate Mentor Program. He was also the recipient of the Entergy Outstanding Service Award in 2003. Mr. Rabb currently works for the Entergy Corporation as a Commodity Leader (Strategic Sourcing) and Budget Coordinator. He states, “The youth of our community, especially after having undergone the devastation of Katrina, need to return to a safe and welcoming school environment that expects great things from them. I am committed to ensuring that our school becomes that place for the youth of our community."
Eric M. Smith, Board Co-Treasurer
Mr. Smith is a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Louisiana State University. Mr. Smith brings to the Board 8 years experience in technology. He has extensive experience with technological systems and software, currently acting as Senior Software Architect and Engineer for Freeport-McMoran Corporation. Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated great talent in designing and implementing software, developing websites, assessing emerging technologies, offering team support, and supporting a wide array of applications. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Smith was one of the original members of Broadmoor’s Education and Culture Subcommittee. His work on the committee led to the original restoration of the grounds of the Rosa Keller Library. In addition he played an integral part in the research and discussions on opening a charter school in Broadmoor and in the development of the Broadmoor Charter School Board. Mr. Smith states, “Our school’s mission is to educate children in a manner that encourages and empowers them to become successful members of the community.”
La Toya Cantrell, President, Broadmoor Improvement Association
Ms. Cantrell is a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood and holds a standing seat on the Board as President of the Broadmoor Improvement Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Justice from Xavier University. Ms. Cantrell brings extensive experience to the Board as Broadmoor’s leader in the redevelopment process. She also brings almost 10 years experience in non-profit management, community outreach, and program development. In addition to her duties as president of our neighborhood association, Ms. Cantrell has acted as Manager of the Greater New Orleans Education, managing an annual budget of 1.3+ million, acting as Lead Research Assistant in the development of a five-year strategic plan for reform in the New Orleans public schools, working with media to develop print and radio ads, instituting a volunteer recruitment and database for the New Orleans Public School District, and coordinating community forums and fundraising. Ms. Cantrell was also one of the original members of Broadmoor’s Education and Culture Subcommittee and was integral in the movement to re-open Wilson Elementary School. Her work on the committee led to the research conducted by Harvard University interns, dialogue with top officials in the state, and the partnership with Edison Schools, INC. Ms. Cantrell states, “I wish to serve on the Board to ensure that the Broadmoor community provides all students with a quality education and opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Hal Roark, Executive Director, Broadmoor Development Corporation
Mr. Roark is a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood and holds a standing seat on the Board as Executive Director of the Broadmoor Development Corporation. He holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Yale University and his Master of Social Work from Tulane University. Mr. Roark brings extensive experience to the Board as the co-chair of Broadmoor’s Revitalization Committee and has acted as one of the leaders in Broadmoor’s redevelopment process. Mr. Roark brings over 15 years experience to the Board in program development, real estate investment, public speaking, social work, grant writing, and neighborhood advocacy. As co-chair of the Revitalization Committee, Mr. Roark assisted in the overall design of the BIA recovery efforts: promoting consensus on neighborhood policies, writing sections of the redevelopment plan, editing the entire plan, and negotiating resources for Broadmoor with donors. In addition to his work in Broadmoor, Mr. Roark has acted as founder and president of a real estate investing corporation specializing in renovating homes and working with first-time home buyers. He has spoken both locally and nationally on real estate investing. He was the founder and Executive Director of The Seton Resource Center for Child Development, a non-profit agency providing free school-based health services to inner city children and families. His work with the Education and Culture Subcommittee and students from Bard College, MIT, and Harvard University was integral in the movement to reopen Wilson Elementary School. Mr. Roark states, “I believe that this school’s success is integral to the redevelopment of our neighborhood and that the neighborhood can offer much support to the school. It is the philosophy of our school that every child can succeed given the right tools, a stimulating and safe environment, and opportunities to develop as learners.”
Nancy Stravinsky Isaacson, NBCT
Ms. Isaacson is a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education, emphasis in Physics and Chemistry, from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Science, emphasis in Chemistry, from the University of Southern Mississippi. Ms. Isaacson has also earned her National Board Certification. She brings over 10 years experience to the Board in education. Ms. Isaacson served as an exemplary teacher of science, at both the high school and college level, along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi before moving to New Orleans to teach at Isidore Newman School. She also acted as Science Department Chair at Bay High School, Bay St. Louis, MS. Ms. Isaacson acted as a consultant for the National Science Foundation Teacher Enhancement Project and received numerous honors in teaching, including the Tandy Corporation Outstanding Teacher Award (1997, 1998), District Teacher of the Year (1998), Dupont Fellow (1997), and the Herb Handley Award for Most Distinguished New Science Teacher in Mississippi (1886). She states, “I wish to serve on the Board to help initiate and implement programs at the school that will foster strong community involvement in a variety of before, during and after school programs at the school that will make the school a hub of the Broadmoor community.”
Marilyn T. Crump, Vice President, Broadmoor Improvement Association
Ms. Crump is a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood and has acted as one of its leaders in the redevelopment process. She has studied Communications at Dillard University of New Orleans and was a participant in the City of New Orleans Civil Service Continuing Education Program. She brings to the Board over 25 years experience working for the City of New Orleans in communications, customer service, bookkeeping, and office management. Ms. Crump has worked in diverse settings within City Government offices, including Safety & Permits, Department of Streets, Department of Property Management, and Department of Finance/Bureau of Treasury. In addition to her career accomplishments, Ms. Crump has also been a dedicated volunteer and board member of the Broadmoor Improvement Association. She was an integral part of the initial interview with Edison Schools, INC in New York, New York.
Stephen Tremaine