The St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools will remain closed through next Friday, Sept. 7, because of damages and safety concerns caused by high winds and flooding waters from Hurricane Isaac.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District is assessing and evaluating damages to each school.  Early reports indicate significant damage to two of the schools, possible damage to other schools, and a loss of five busses in the district’s fleet, making it necessary to keep schools closed for another week.

The district is working on its contingency plan for reopening its schools in addition to rerouting the students from the flooded schools. Initial inspection indicates infiltration of water in Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School and East St. John High School. Initial inspection also indicates that the other schools received minimal damage.

“I want to ensure our parents that there is capacity to continue to educate all of our students within the district. We will be able to accommodate all students from Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School and East St. John High School at other sites. My staff and I are currently working on constructing a plan to educate all of our students in St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools,” Superintendent Herbert Smith said.

A process for updating students’ registration information, address, and contact numbers for East St. John High School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary will take place next Wednesday (Sept. 5) and Thursday (Sept. 6). More information and updates of times and locations will be posted on the district’s website (www.stjohn.k12.la.us), the district’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-John-the-Baptist-Parish-Public-Schools/400878479974889), and other media outlets; the district also will send out updates via the Connect Ed phone system.

All District Office staff and principals are asked to report to the Central Office on Tuesday (Sept. 4) at 8 a.m. Cafeteria managers should report to the Central Office Tuesday (Sept. 4) at 9 a.m. All 10- and 12-month employees should report to their locations Wednesday (Sept. 5) at 8:00 a.m. East St. John High School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School 10- and 12-month employees should report to the Central Office at 8:00 a.m. that day.

Teachers and students will be notified when they should return. Throughout this process, the district will be posting updates on its website and Facebook as well as sending out the updates via the Connect Ed phone system. If a cell phone or other number is operable, parents, students, and employees should expect to receive updated messages from the district every 48 hours starting Tuesday (Sept. 4).