By DAVID VITRANO

News Editor

RESERVE—With the attendance zone debate tentatively settled, the St. John Parish School Board is dealing with one more obstacle to the projected opening of Emily C. Watkins School for the upcoming school year.

The board passed a motion to accept bids for the purchase and removal of the main plantation home on the property of the new school.

Although it was originally appraised at $84,525, the structure has sustained significant vandalism and theft damage since that time.

The board unanimously passed a motion to accept minimum bids of $25,000 for the building. The board was to accept bids until 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at the school board office.

According to the minutes of the meeting of March 6, 2008, it is imperative the building be moved so the grounds can be graded.