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Tuesday night at the charter board meeting for John Macdonogh High School in New Orleans, there were at least a few parents and community members upset about how things were going at the school handed over to Steve Barr’s Future Is Now charter network last year.

One key aspect of the emotion-filled event was the first public showing of a trailer for the forthcoming Oprah Winfrey Network reality series, “Blackboard Wars.” You can read all about it at The Lens.

The three-minute video begins with dramatic footage (a 2003 incident in which suspects brought an AK-47 into the school and began shooting), as well as scenes of fistfights and security takedowns. the implementation of school uniforms and tuck-in requirements. There are dramatic graphics  (“Nobody believes he can do it.”) Also depicted: overwhelmed teachers, a strong-willed new principal, angry community members — and glimmers of improvement.

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