Tangipahoa Parish Phase 2 school additions: Ponchatoula plan location debated; Champ Cooper awaits DOTD turn-lane decisions

Architects and district staff presented updates on Phase 2 classroom additions and related site work across Tangipahoa Parish, including Ponchatoula High, Champ Cooper Elementary, Loranger, Woodland Park and the Independence Leadership Academy.

Pierre, with Holly & Smith, said the program completion submittal for Ponchatoula High’s 18-classroom addition was submitted June 23 and that early test-fit sketches placed the addition on the west side of campus. After discussions with school administrators, staff reported a preference to relocate the addition to the east side or attach it as a wing to the existing building to preserve bus routes, teacher parking and to work with an upcoming roundabout on Ridgeline Road.

Staff said drainage and site constraints on the original wooded site informed the relocation discussion, and the committee discussed…