School Board gives go ahead for purchase of land

Land to house new maintenance facility

The St. Charles Parish School Board approved a resolution to purchase property for a new maintenance facility on Sugarland Parkway in Luling from Esperanza Land, LLC.

Partial owner of Esperanza Land, LLC, Judge Edward Dufresne, Jr., has promised to donate $15,000 of the land cost to the school district after the sale is finalized. The cost of the land is approximately $250,000.
The maintenance crew is currently being housed in rented trailers. Previous to Hurricane Katrina, the crew was being housed in the old Luling Elementary School building. That building was declared condemned by inspection crews earlier this year. The building sustained considerable damage to its roof during Hurricane Katrina.

The purchase of the property for the new maintenance facility will allow for architects and staff to complete the design of the replacement facility for the maintenance department and plan for construction. 
 
Repairs to begin at Norco Elementary

Termites have left support beams unstable at Norco Elementary 4-6 School. The St. Charles Parish School Board approved a measure to begin emergency repairs to the school. The district has hired Guy Hopkins Construction General Contractors of Baton Rouge to complete the $218,886 in repairs to the school.

The work to the school is expected to be completed before school begins on August 14. School officials say that the damage is confined to certain areas of the school and does not compromise the structure as a hole. The repairs will be made with new insect-resistant material.

Board approves 5% teacher raise


The St. Charles Parish School Board approved a 5 percent raise for teachers and employees as expected at the July 5 meeting. This raise is in addition to the one time bonuses recently approved by the board and the raises approved by the state earlier this year.

The board approved $1000 bonuses for full time employees and $500 bonuses for part time employees. The State also recently approved a $1500 addition to teacher salaries.