Caddo Parish facilities plan: Walnut Hill cafeteria expansion, central-office restrooms and portable building plans discussed

Caddo Parish School Board staff presented a multi-site capital projects update to the executive committee on Sept. 16, describing completed work and projects planned for 2026-27 and answering board member questions about priorities and costs.

District facilities staff described recent work at Walnut Hill that removed the auditorium stage area to expand dining capacity and added a third serving line. The change was presented as a response to lengthy lunch periods; staff said cafeteria run-times that previously lasted three hours or more were substantially reduced after the work. A facilities staff member summarized the physical change: "We increased it by the size of it by 46% taking the stage area and the auditorium area," he said, describing the added dining space and new serving lines.

The committee also discussed central-office restroom renovations. Staff explained the project would address long-standing plumbing and ADA-compliance deficiencies in a cluster of restrooms and that the renovation would be coordinated because the fixtures share common piping. A facilities representative said the work would bring restrooms up to modern standards and be similar to restroom renovations completed at district schools.

Board members raised concerns about project prioritization, ADA compliance across campuses, and potential perception of spending at central office while school restrooms remain incomplete. Committee members and staff said projects are chosen through an internal committee process and by principals' requests; staff emphasized the limited capital budget means not all needs can be addressed simultaneously.

Discussion touched on transportable or "T" buildings, which staff clarified are "transportable, not temporary" and remain in use where enrollment growth outpaces permanent construction. Staff acknowledged a long-term goal to reduce reliance on transportables where bonds or new construction allow.

Board members asked about the cost and design process for larger school additions. Facilities staff estimated a 12-classroom wing (example given for Donny Bickham) could cost about $7,000,000, and noted current building-code requirements mean classroom additions must meet higher storm-resistance standards than assembly areas. For very large projects (district policy threshold cited), staff described a qualification-and-presentation process for selecting designers/architects and noted the board would hear presentations for the largest projects.

Other facility topics discussed included emergency roofing repairs at Woodlawn after observed leaks, playground-equipment relocation logistics, keying-and-lock services for secure master-key control, and prioritization of driveway and drainage repairs at older campuses such as Booker T. Washington.

The capital projects package (agenda item 6.09) was included in the consent agenda and approved along with other consent items.

Ending

Staff said most major capital work occurs during school breaks and summer months to limit disruption. Board members requested additional follow-up data (seat capacity, lunchtime run-times, advertisement materials for large projects) and asked staff to provide requested documents and figures by the next business day where feasible.