School board approves parish-funded press-box and concession stand at Ponchatoula High

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board on May 20 authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement allowing parish funds to be used to construct a press box and concession stand at Ponchatoula High School.

Superintendent (name not provided) and board members said the facility would provide restrooms, concessions and a press location for events at Ponchatoula’s softball and football complexes. Board member Mr. Robert described the project as long in the works and said the school currently lacks adequate restroom and concession facilities near the softball field.

‘‘We currently have no bathroom facilities for our softball field,’’ Mr. Robert said, adding plans are drawn and ‘‘we don’t know how much it’s going to cost. We haven’t bid it out yet.’’

The cooperative endeavor was described as funded from parish discretionary/ESSER-related allocations made available to council members; the transcript records a $150,000 pledge by Representative Kim Coats but later also notes the representative ‘‘has as much as $140,000 to spend’’ when discussing the funding. The board noted the agreement must receive court approval because the funding exceeds $125,000 and involves outside governmental funds.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the agreement on the condition that the parish provide the funds and the board oversee construction. Coach Jeremy Harper, present at the meeting, was thanked by members for his role in securing support for the project.

The board did not provide a construction bid, a definitive budget, or a timeline for completion at the meeting. School officials said they will oversee bidding and contract management when the parish funding and court approval are in place. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: administration will proceed with necessary court filings and procurement steps once the parish’s funding is finalized and the cooperative endeavor receives required approvals.