August 01, 2018
Pastor Charles J. Southall, Board President
Spirit of Excellence Academy, Inc.
2503 Willow Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Re: Notice of Non-Compliance, Level 2
Dear Pastor Southall:
I am writing to inform you that Edgar P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy (“Harney”) is receiving this Notice of
Non- Compliance, Level 2 given that the school is deemed non-compliant with its contractual obligations regarding
its Board of Directors as identified in the charter operating agreement.
On September 26, 2017, OPSB received an email notification from the Edgar P. Harney school leader listing the
names of seven charter board members. Most recently, on July 26th, 2018, OPSB made a similar request and received
the same listing of board members. And the school’s website has had the same listing posted all school year.
However, through direct conversations with at least two of the listed board members, OPSB has learned that they
resigned months ago without their names being removed from board communications.
Per OPSB Policy HA Section 1.7.2, charter operators are obligated to meet specific requirements for its Board of
Directors, specifically, that the board have no fewer than 7 members. At this time, Harney is considered noncompliant with regards to board governance. To return to good standing related to this matter, Harney must comply
with all aspects of the requirements as it relates to Board of Directors, including number of board members,
residency requirements, background checks, and parent requirements (see Policy HA for details) immediately. Please
provide an updated listing of board members, including mailing addresses, and proof that the board meets all legal
and policy requirements for a board of directors no later than August 15th, 2018.
Failure to respond to these remedies may result in escalated consequences, including, but not limited to, additional
intervention or revocation of your charter contract with OPSB. Please contact Danalyn Hypolite at
Danalyn_Hypolite@opsb.us with any questions that you may have regarding this letter.
Sincerely,

Dina Hasiotis,
Executive Director of School Performance
CC: Dr. Henderson Lewis, Superintendent, OPSB