Maintenance update: Natchitoches Parish schools report restroom inspections, portable classroom work and playground repairs

Ryan Shirley delivered the maintenance report, telling the board that summer painting and floor work is complete and that the fire marshal is scheduled to finish inspections on the new magnet school restrooms this week, which would allow the district to open those restrooms for student use.

Shirley said portable classroom inspections have been submitted to the fire marshal and that, pending approval, electricity will be connected. He reported playground equipment deliveries and small assemblies at multiple sites but said the Department of Health flagged some equipment because rubber surfacing or borders were missing. "I've already got the rubber," Shirley said, and contractors were scheduled to install borders and rubber surfacing with a target completion by the 18th–19th so equipment could be used safely.

Board members raised concerns about pre‑K access and whether existing equipment could serve roughly 80 children at once; Shirley and administration committed to visiting the sites, taking photos and reviewing recess schedules to determine whether additional equipment is needed. Shirley also updated the board on security measures: buzzer systems and cameras are in place districtwide, metal detection capability exists, and two remaining schools (Weaver and LP Von) are scheduled for rekeying imminently.

The board asked for follow‑up photos and a site review; administrators said they would inspect recess schedules and return with recommendations for additional equipment or repairs.

Next steps: maintenance staff to inspect playgrounds, take photos, install rubber borders and report back to the board.