By DONNA JACOB

Staff Reporter

RESERVE – No coveralls. That was the verdict at the St. John Parish School Board meeting held Thursday night in Reserve.

Following a heated debate at the last school board meeting over the coveralls idea, an alternative dress code was agreed upon. Students who disobey the dress code policy will be required to dress up, wearing a white dress shirt and necktie.

Another board matter requiring further study and discussion is the fate of two old houses on Elvina Plantation, the site of the new elementary school.

Board member Clarence Triche recommended accepting bids to sell the houses because it would be too expensive to renovate and restore them with authentic materials. He also wanted to place restrictions on the sale of the buildings to keep them in the parish and prevent them from ever being torn down.

Gerald Keller, board president, suggested the parish keep the houses and relocate them.

Board members agreed to delay making a decision on the matter until they could consider bids to restore the property.

Bids were accepted to proceed with building improvement projects at both of the parish high schools.

The board approved the new reorganization plan for the 2007-08 school year and voted to reduce school fees.

Also honored were Coach Joe Keller, who was announced into the Louisiana Hall of Fame, and retiring school board employees.

Discussion of reinstating a music program in junior high schools will be discussed at the next school board meeting planned for July 19.