By LEONARD GRAY-Staff Reporter

LULING – Rain delays caused by last year’s hurricane activity will delay the opening of the Luling Elementary School additions and the new St. Rose Elementary School.

The report came Wednesday to the St. Charles Parish School Board at their regular meeting.

That report, from Joey Murray of Murray and Associates, said the Norco facility should be completed during the week of June 9.

Originally, Pete Vicari General Contractors Inc. received their notice to proceed on Aug. 12, 2002, Murray said, and had 272 days to complete the project by May 8.

Instead, because of Isidore and Lili, the contractor asked for 63 rain days to be added to the contract. Murray said they settled for 37 days, now due to be completed the week of Aug. 15.

At Luling Elementary, contractor Lamar Construction Inc. received their notice to proceed on Sept. 16, 2002, and given 330 days, due Aug. 11.

Instead, Lamar asked for 37 rain days because of the hurricanes, and Murray said they settled for 37 days, due to be completed by Sept. 17.

Murray added the contractors have been working weekends, trying to make up lost time but “it doesn’t look good.”

In another matter, board member Clarence “Sonny” Savoie reported from his legislative action committee progress made in the fight against school vouchers.

Savoie said the Louisiana School Board Association met with success on the House side during the current legislative session, but the Senate side is still in the air.

Savoie added five bills will be heard next week in the legislature which could seriously affect how the school board does business.

The bills include House Bills 1952 and 1964, sponsored by Rep. Donald Cazayoux Jr. of New Roads, and affecting municipalities and parishes; House Bill 1954, affecting state agencies; and Senate Bills 1011 and 1012, sponsored by Sen. Michael Michot of Lafayette, and affecting school districts, municipalities, parishes and state agencies.

Beneficiary of the legislation, if passed, would be Star Service of Baton Rouge, with a branch in St. Rose. According to Savoie, the effect “doesn’t level the playing field, except in their favor, and may cost the state a lot of money.”

In other business, the board approved a casework bid from Cabinets and Countertops of Louisiana Inc. for $306,245, then a change order for St. Rose Elementary, reducing the cost by $86,435 and bringing the total cost of the casework and cabinets to $219,810.

Also, the board approved a furniture bid for St. Rose, Luling and Norco elementary schools, except for the teacher chairs, totaling $94,346.30.

The summer food service, to be operated June 9-July 17, was approved through the parish Department of Community Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The program will be lunches only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cammon and Landry middle schools and Norco and R.J. Vial elementary schools, at no cost to the school district while insuring healthy meals for children ages 18 and younger when school is not in session.