Recovery top topic for school board

Published 11:45 pm Tuesday, May 14, 2013

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board planned two meetings this week to discuss the recently approved bond issue and the repair of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary and East St. John High School.
The Disaster Selection Committee held a special meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss proposals for disaster management services. The existence of the committee was the the center of debate during the board’s April 18 special meeting, with members debating whether or not they should create an entirely new committee or stick with the one that was originally chosen. Board member Albert Burl also suggested that five members of the school board take a spot on the committee to keep an eye the company chosen to provide disaster management services.
The school board will hold another meeting Thursday evening to discuss the issuing of the $10 million bond that was approved during the May 4 election. Last week, Executive Director of Business and Finance for the St. John School District Felix Boughton said the money will be sold in segments and that the board is currently making a schedule for the sales.
Although the newly approved bond issue will not cover the full amount of the portion that the school will owe once the Federal Emergency Management Agency pays its share, Boughton said once the projects are approved by FEMA, the district will still be allowed to move forward with the projects because they have some funding in place.
Thursday’s board meeting will take place at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria at 6 p.m.