Harlan Kirgan
The fire-damaged building at Eunice Elementary is on target to reopen next school year, Claudia Blanchard, school system director of operations said.
Blanchard updated Board members at a meeting Wednesday of the Buildings, Lands and Sites Committee.
Insurance is covering the cost incurred from an Aug. 14 fire.
“We are going to have to change out the flooring,” Blanchard said. The flooring change requires an asbestos abatement procedure, she said.
“Once that work is done there will be a little bit of cleanup,” she said.
The St. Landry Parish School Board declared an emergency after the fire, but Blanchard said the school system is proceeding with normal bid schedules.
Blanchard hopes to begin renovation work by February.
The renovation will include the installation of LED lighting, she said.
A roofing project planned before the fire is now underway, she said.
At an Aug. 2 meeting, the School Board approved a roof replacement project costing $1,099,000 for Eunice Elementary and Eunice Junior High School.
Temporary buildings were installed on campus and all of the students are back on the campus.
About 110 third- and fourth-graders, along with special education students, were displaced by the fire.
The third-graders and special education students were moved into other buildings on the campus and used spaces such as the library and computer lab for classes.
The fourth-graders attended classes at Highland Elementary until the temporary buildings were installed.
The school system has a $25,000 deductible on its insurance policy with Dupre, Carrier Godchaux Insurance.