By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LUTCHER – Recent altercations at high schools in St. James Parish caused some school board members to sound the alarm Tuesday.

Board member Patricia Schexnayder, who represents the area where St. James High is located, said, “I don’t want to see St. James Parish become Columbine.”

After a recent junior varsity game at St. James High, a student fired shots in a crowded location. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident, but the student is now facing multiple counts of attempted murder.

“What about the innocent kids?” she asked. “We spend money on everything else. We need to make the schools safe.”

Superintendent Alonzo Luce noted, “Some of these have been territorial things. The schools in and of themselves won’t solve it.”

Schexnayder, however, had at least one idea about how to curb the violence.

“We need to put these cameras where the fights are taking place,” she said. “Eventually it’s going to trickle down to the elementary schools.”

In other areas, the school district is making great strides, however.

Virtual Academy Principal Becky Louque updated the board on the progress of the district’s newest initiative.

As of Tuesday, 33 students spanning from fourth through 12th grades were enrolled in the parish’s virtual academy, and she even noted that the program may see its first graduate in a matter of days.

“It’s really working for the students,” she said.

Lastly, the board voted to extend the time for finalizing a contract with St. James Stevedoring for the purchase of the Romeville Elementary site. Stipulations concerning community use were not able to be worked out in time for the 30-day deadline, so the board agreed to extend the time frame by an additional 30 days.