After devastating floods shut down schools for the better part of a month, classes resumed Monday for students in the Livingston Parish (La.) district.
But those assigned to campuses that sustained most severe damage last month from flooding have been relocated to other schools. And some of the campuses welcoming students Monday need significant pairs themselves, officials say.
According to the district's web site, Denham Springs Elementary, Southside Elementary, Denham Springs High, Denham Springs Freshman High, Southside Junior High, and Springfield High are unable to accommodate students because of flood damage. Students attending those schools account for about 16 percent of the district's enrollment.
Denham Springs Elementary students will be divided between Eastside and Freshwater elementaries; Southside Elementary students will be split between Lewis Vincent and Juban Parc elementaries.
Denham Springs High students will attend Live Oak High, and Denham Springs Freshman High students have been assigned to Live Oak Middle. Southside Junior High students will be housed at Juban Parc Junior High, and Springfield High classes have been moved to Springfield Middle.
The relocated junior and senior high students will begin classes at 6:30 a.m. so the host buildings can accommodate a split schedule.
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that school officials have not determined the total repair and construction costs associated with the flood damage.
“The long-term goal for me, in a sense, would be to have all of our students back to their normal sites by midterm. That’s the hope,” Superintendent Rick Wentzel says. “But we really don’t know what our timeline or our costs will be until we have an architect assess those campuses and give us a scope of work that needs to be done to get the kids back in there.”
In addition to building repair costs, Livingston Parish will have to spend millions of dollars replacing equipment and supplies.
Textbook replacement costs are expected to top $2 million; Bus replacement and repairs— 59 were destroyed and another 50 need major repairs — will add a projected $4.5 million to transportation costs.
Video from WAFB-TV:
