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East Baton Rouge school district outlines facility realignment affecting 28 sites, schedules April 28 vote
Summary
Superintendent Cole presented a student-first facility realignment plan that would affect 28 sites, nearly 10,178 students and 1,412 staff, recommend nine school closures and repurposing 10 buildings. The board scheduled a special meeting April 28 to vote on the plan.
Superintendent Cole outlined a facility realignment plan Thursday for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board that would affect 28 school sites and nearly 10,178 students and 1,412 staff, and recommended closing nine schools and repurposing or vacating 10 buildings.
The plan, which Cole said was presented to the board’s stakeholder process earlier this week, would place an estimated 2,239 students into what the superintendent described as “higher quality seats” and would introduce new specialty programs at 13 sites. Attendance zones at about 16 schools would be changed to accommodate consolidations and program streamlining.
Why it matters: the district said the proposal aims to move students into stronger-performing schools and improve facility conditions across the system. The board set a special meeting for 5 p.m. April 28 at central office to vote on the realignment plan and related actions.
Cole summarized the scope and next steps: “The plan involves 28 sites with an impact of nearly 10,178 students and 1,412 staff. An estimated 2,239 students will be placed in higher quality seats with moves to higher performing schools and improved facility conditions,” he said. He told the board staff will follow transfer procedures and efforts to support affected employees.
Board members and staff were told the plan also recommends introducing specialty programs at 13 sites and changing attendance zones at roughly 16 schools to support consolidation and repurposing of buildings. Superintendent Cole named central-office staff who helped develop the plan: Andre Okonsky, Kelly Lopez, Pam Willie, Casey Gilbert, Katasha Edwards and Adam Smith.
The superintendent acknowledged community concerns about job placement and said the district will follow students and provide transfer opportunities for staff where appropriate. The district also said repurposed buildings and closures are part of an effort to streamline operations and improve facility quality.
The board did not vote on the realignment Thursday; instead it placed the item on a special meeting agenda for April 28 to allow further public comment and final action. The superintendent said the presentation would likely be adjusted depending on the April 28 vote and asked the board to defer a related budget presentation until after that decision.
The district directed families to the district website for graduation schedules and related information and reminded the public that central office will be closed for spring break April 18–20 and resume April 25.
Ending: The board will convene a special public meeting at 5 p.m. April 28 in the Central Office Boardroom to consider final votes on the realignment plan and any implementing items.
