By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / May 9, 1999

RESERVE – In the wake of losing a 25-mill tax election last week, the St.

John Parish School Board approved building improvements for the Redirection Center in Garyville.

Proposition Two of the May 1 ballot a 3.67-mill tax to finance thealternative school, failed 54 percent to 46 percent. The board voted to use$27,675 of Capital Projects funds to repaint the exterior of the building and $60,590 in grant money for several remodeling items, including painting and window work as well as installing a new intercom system.

Associate Superintendent Chris Donaldson “definitely” recommended the school remain open despite the result of the tax election.

“It is needed. It’s costly, but it’s a very necessary facility,” he said.In other activity, the board: Voted to approve door repairs or replacements at all schools, a total expense of $185,350. Most of the work will be done at West St. John High,Fifth Ward Elementary, West St. John Elementary and Garyville/Mt. AiryMagnet School.

Voted to approve $292,599 in upgrading and improving the pipe system at East St. John Elementary School. Copper pipes jacketed with PVC willbe installed.

“If you grab the pipes now, they just crumble in your hands,” contractor Alton Darby Jr. said. Voted to approve, after some discussion, adopting the budget for an expanded Head Start Program. Head Start director Precious Joseph askedto expand by an additional 20-student class at the Child Development Center.

Joseph was closely quizzed by Keller and John Crose over budget items including a new bus and for salary increases.

“I don’t see a need or justification of the expansion of the program,” Keller remarked.

Joseph responded a needs survey revealed many children in the parish are not being currently served through Head Start, despite the need to do so.

The proposal stated: “Chief among the needs determined is the need to expand the opportunity so that more children and their families can be served.”Obstacles include lack of child-care and differing employment hours for parents, Joseph indicated.

Charles Watkins said some board members were criticizing the program for self-promotional purposes. At this point, Crose spoke up to say he wasmerely asking responsible questions.

“Well, since you took the bait…” Watkins responded.Keller asked Superintendent Cleveland Farlough if it were common practice for the grant applicants to include salary increases in their applications. Farlough said it was often done.Keller said, “I’m not here attacking Miss Joseph. If I attacked you, MissJoseph, I apologize, but I have questions. I have reservations.”LeBoeuf commented in support of Joseph, “If you go to the office and talk to them, they’ll explain it to you. Some people have passed the remark I’mtoo stupid to be a school board member. I have common sense.”The request was approved.

Also, the budget for the third and final year of the Summer 1999 head Start Day Care program was approved.

Agreed to ask for a joint meeting with the South Louisiana Port Commission to discuss preservation of the old Godchaux Employees Clubhouse on West 10th Street.

The non-agenda matter was brought up by Dowie Gendron, who called on the board to arrange a joint meeting with the Port Commission as soon as possible in an effort to come to a meeting of the minds over the building.

The so-called “Pink Building” was built in the 1930s as a clubhouse for Godchaux Sugar Refinery employees.

The Port Commission, which now owns the site of the old refinery, is tearing down all the old refinery buildings to make room for development of Globalplex. The site of the clubhouse is slated for use as a cargo lay-down area for the port, according to port officials.

Gendron commented: “We’ve done things to help them. Why can’t they helpus? I would love to sit down with them.”Dr. Gerald Keller agreed, and said, “All we ask is for a piece of land with abuilding.”Gendron said he’s also interested in taking over the old Baker-Heritage building on West 10th Street and relocating the School Board’s central office there.

Approved a school uniform policy at West St. John Elementary at therequest of principal Shelton Smith. Smith explained teachers firstvoluntarily adopted a teacher-uniform agreement, then surveyed parents and students, with approval ratings received of more than 90 percent.

The uniform blouses, with the school logo, would be purchased at Young Fashions in LaPlace. Other uniform elements, including khaki shorts anddresses, could be purchased anywhere.

Recognized the winners of the 1999 Amateur Film Festival Contest, with first place honors to St. Peter School, second place to East St. JohnHigh, third place to West St. John High and honorable mention to LeonGodchaux Junior High.

Recognized East St. John High’s Greg Gaithers, who received the WGNO-TV Scholar-Athlete award and a football scholarship to Georgia Tech. Theboard also recognized Misty Noble, Kayle Keeley and Joshua Greene, all of East St. John High, for their second-place achievements at the recentDistrict Literary Rally.

Approved personnel changes, including the retention of Ronnie Stephens as athletic director/head football coach at East St. John High, and theretirement of Fifth Ward Elementary principal Nora Pierre.

Approved refinancing of $4.5 million in school construction GeneralObligation Bonds to take advantage of improved interest rates and a net savings of $244,000 over the life of the bonds.

Approved the five-year lease renewal of Section 16 property on the West Bank for alligator egg collection and trapping with Savoie’s Alligator Farm, which brings the school district $1,350 per year.

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