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Board approves career‑center and classroom construction bids; OKs appraisal for bus‑lot land across Ponchatoula High
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Summary
The board accepted low bids from Brunt Construction for an Advanced College & Career Center renovation and a classroom addition at Lucille Neeson, and authorized pursuit of a ~4.55‑acre parcel for a bus lot on School Section Road, contingent on appraisal and any required court approval.
On April 21 the Tangipahoa Parish School Board approved low bids for two construction projects and authorized administration to pursue an appraisal and purchase agreement for a nearby parcel to use as a bus lot.
Administration recommended awarding the base bid and alternate No. 1 for the Advanced College & Career Center renovation to Brunt Construction. The package includes a ProStart kitchen, welding and machine‑shop bays, electrical and mechanical shops, flex labs and a maker space; administrators said existing grant funds (a magnet grant and additional equipment funds) will help offset costs. The board approved the recommendation on a motion by Mister Piazza (second by Miss Dominguez); the contractor reported that required documents were in hand and said it could issue a notice to proceed after contracts and bonds are executed.
Separately, the board approved Brunt Construction as low bidder for the Lucille Neeson Phase 2 classroom addition. The base bid was reported well within the budgeted amount; alternates discussed would expand the project from eight classrooms to ten and add a new lift station. The board also directed administration to submit the project for any necessary court approval before construction where required.
On a separate agenda item, Board Member Mister Piazza presented a proposal to enter into a purchase agreement and seek an appraisal for roughly 4.547 acres on School Section Road directly across from the district's current bus shed at Ponchatoula High School. Piazza said the parcel is cleared, outside a flood zone, adjacent to existing school access roads and would reduce buses’ need to cross Highway 22 and the planned traffic circle, improving safety and operations. Board members discussed due diligence (the draft agreement included a 10‑day period), the need to purchase at appraised value and the possibility that campus expansion could require court approval. The board authorized administration to pursue appraisal and negotiations; purchase is contingent on appraisal and any legal approvals.
Votes on the construction bids and on the land appraisal authorization were recorded by roll call and passed with the affirmative votes recorded in the transcript.
