Harlan Kirgan
If a tax proposition had passed in March, Port Barre High School was destined to get a new building.
But the tax failed and the St. Landry Parish School Board has about $3 million left from a $10 million bond issue generated by existing revenue, which makes every thousand dollars count dearly.
And that was the case Thursday when the Board voted 7-6 to table a $98,000 waterproofing project for the Port Barre High School building.
The waterproofing project had been approved at the Buildings, Lands and Sites Committee meeting on May 21.
But last week it was discovered that some of the flooring and joists at the school may need replacing.
As some Board members argued to continue with the waterproofing project expected to take two weeks, Albert Hayes Jr., a Eunice member, said, “It is starting to sound like getting a paint job on a car that might need a transmission.”
Mary Ellen Donatto, also a Eunice member, was not against waterproofing the school, but said the immediate concern is making sure the building is safe.
“Let’s move forward immediately and spend what we have to,” she said about repairing the flooring.
“Let’s repair what is dangerous no matter what it cost,” she said.
Hazel Sias, an Opelousas Board member, urged against spending $98,000 on sealing the building when there is an unknown cost to repair joists and flooring.
Roger Young, a Eunice area Board member, said sealing the building would lessen future problems.
Voting to table the waterproofing project and address structural concerns were Anthony Standberry, Charles Ross, Milton Ambres, Raymond Cassimere, Hayes, Donatto and Sias.
Voting against the motion were Donnie Perron, Huey Wyble, Kyle Boss, Randy Wagley, Candy Gerace and Young.
Other Board action included rejecting raising campsite rates on Bayou Courtableau from $2 to $10. Instead the rates will be doubled.