St. Landry reviews school projects as clock winds down for plans using COVID funding

St. Landry Parish school board members are debating how to make cuts for approximately $16 million in federal funding that has been dedicated for multiple capital outlay projects proposed inside three geographic school zones.

Project manager Lyn Kenley told board members last week that according to recent proposals received from contractors, at least $2 million needs to be trimmed from current contract costs for all the Board approved projects to remain within their original budgeted amounts.

At this point, Kenley is suggesting spending an equal amount in each of the three zones to balance cost overruns.

Kenley added that board members don’t have much time to make their decisions on which projects they want to eliminate or reduce, since the spending proposals for each project need to be reviewed by officials at the Louisiana Department of Education.

Funding for the projects which include classroom expansions, restroom expansions and restorations and interior work at school sites in the Beau Cene, Eunice-Northwest and Opelousas zones are included in a third phase of Elementary and Secondary School recovery money attached to COVID relief.

Kenley told board members that $16.25 million has been set aside parish-wide from the ESSER III allocation to pay for the projects. However, potential estimates provided by contractors indicate that overall costs for the series of projects are $18.45 million.

“We need to reduce the scope of these projects in a lot of places. I need to balance the amount for the project and I need (board members) suggestions in order to do that,” Kenley told board members during a buildings, lands and sites committee meeting.

Essentially Kenley is asking board members to assign more money to the Beau Chene , Eunice and Northwest High zones, where contractors estimate there are cost projection deficits.

Kenley also told the Committee that contractors feel what was projected to be spent in the Opelousas zone can be reduced.

An initial contract projection for the Opelousas area projects was $9.759 million. Contractors are estimating that $5.167 should be allocated for Opelousas.

Projects in the Beau Chene and Eunice-Northwest zones contractors have said are over budgeted by at least a combined $5 million.

Potentially the biggest project cost reduction proposed by contractors Kenley said is scheduled for Opelousas Junior High School.

Initially, $6.75 million was projected in contract estimates to refurbish the school, which board members have decided could eventually become a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus.

Kenley said that instead contractors are suggesting spending $1.126 million at the school for interior finishing that would include painting, floor repairs and improved lighting.

“What I’m saying is, let me have some money to take out of the Opelousas zone. I’m not saying Opelousas is less important, but reducing the costs (at Opelousas Junior High) would allow us to free up money so we can assign that funding to other projects,” Kenley said.

Other major cost estimates for ESSER III revenues according to contractors' projections are Cankton Elementary ($2.79 million) and Lawtell Elementary ($3.27 million).

The expenditures for the Cankton and Lawtell campuses are for additional classrooms.

Another $3 million has been designated to pay for Park Vista Elementary in Opelousas, but contractors are proposing to spend $663,386 for interior refinishing.

Each of the possible reductions brought comments and objections from board members whose election districts are included in each of the zones.

Board member Kyle Boss, who represents voters that send students to Cankton Elementary, said spending money for more classroom space at that school is essential.

Boss said there will be fewer students attending Opelousas schools after the completion of two Helix Charter School campuses proposed for the area.

“The Beau Chene area is where the (parish) growth is going. We need 10 classrooms at Cankton, yet we can’t get but six. Why can’t Opelousas give a little bit? They are going to lose a lot of students (to the charter school),” Boss said.

Board member Hazel Sias argued that despite the anticipated influx of students for the two Helix Charter campuses, there will still be students who choose to remain at Opelousas public schools.

“Why are we reducing the amount of money when we are going to have a school that will remain open?” Sias asked.

Board member Milton Ambres said that at this point he is unwilling to approve a $5 million cost reduction for Opelousas Junior High.

Kenly told Ambres that after assessing the Opelousas Junior High campus, the contractors feel the only work necessary for the school is refurbishing the interior necessities.

This article originally appeared on Opelousas Daily World: St. Landry reviews school projects as clock winds down to use COVID funding