Tangipahoa Parish committee tables $150,000 pavilion redesign for Independence High

The Tangipahoa Parish capital outlay committee voted unanimously to table consideration of a proposed redesign and budget increase for a pavilion at Independence High.

Mr. McNeely reported that the pavilion project originally had a $45,000 design budget but that architects, after review, recommended roughly $150,000 for the project’s design and scope. He said the architects’ recommendation reflects what they envision for the project and noted the state’s facility‑planning fee schedule affects architectural fees, which currently sit at about 12 percent for the project scale discussed.

A committee member told the chair the group should confirm the principal’s preference before moving forward, noting that Dr. Sanders had sent photos showing shade shields mounted between poles rather than a fully covered pavilion. That member said the shade‑shield option would likely save money compared with a full pavilion and moved to table the item “to get to what they really want to do.” The motion was seconded by Miss Janice. The chair called a roll‑call vote conducted by Ms. May; the recorded votes were Ms. Abrams, Mr. Anthony, Ms. Dominguez, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Piazza, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toler and Mr. Westmoreland, all voting yes. The motion to table passed.

Committee members emphasized the tabling was meant to allow staff to confirm the principal’s desired design and explore lower‑cost alternatives before authorizing larger design work. The committee noted that tabling does not authorize construction or bidding; it pauses consideration of the revised budget and any contract adjustments until the principal’s preference is clear.

Next steps: staff will confirm Dr. Sanders’s preferred design and return with clarified scope and cost estimates before the committee makes decisions about adjusting contracts or moving to bid.