St. Charles Parish Schools seeking old K-Mart building

Board expected to approve purchase at July 5 meeting

The old K-Mart building in Boutte has been used by the parish school district in the past. Officials are now seeking to purchase the building for $ 1 million. Photo by Susanne Hinkle

The St. Charles Parish School Board is expected to give the go-ahead for the purchase of the old K-Mart building on Hwy. 90 in Boutte. Shortly before Katrina, the school system had rented and utilized the building for storage and currently seeks to purchase the building for a cost of approximately $1 million.

"I expect the board to pass a resolution to purchase the K-Mart building at the July 5 meeting," said Larry Sesser, Plant Services Superintendent of St. Charles Parish Schools.

"The School Board was all in favor of purchasing the building before Katrina," said Sesser. If purchased, the building will be used for computer upgrades and storage of school furniture and bulk items. "The lay-out of the building provides ample space for storage and other uses. It also has a loading dock to help out with the loading and unloading of bulk items," said Sesser.

Currently, the school system is storing items at two self storage locations in the parish, I-310 Self-Storage and Paradis Self-Storage. The school system is also housing materials and furniture at what used to be St. Rose Primary in St. Rose.

"We plan to tear down the old St. Rose school and the K-Mart building provides ample space for the relocation of the materials currently being stored there," said Sesser.