Lafayette Parish School Board Stalls L.J. Alleman Improvements Funding

My daughter Anna attended L.J. Alleman Middle School on Roselawn Boulevard here in town a couple of years ago. I can tell you Anna's experience and our experience with the faculty at the school was absolutely wonderful.

I have many wonderful memories of that great experience our daughter had at L.J. Alleman and I am quite grateful she got to be mentored by such a fine  group of educators. My only knock against the school, it's really in bad shape and could use some repairs and renovations.

Obviously I am not the only person in the parish who felt the school was in need of renovation. The Lafayette Parish School Board in between sniping and fighting with Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper found the time to authorize some big money improvements to the school.

Those improvements are now on hold pending more study by the board. Many board members want to know why the original bid of approximately 3 million dollars to renovate the cafeteria and gymnasium has suddenly jumped to 4.2 million dollars. In a school system strapped for cash an additional 1.2 million dollars is nothing to sneeze at. But there is also the reality that Alleman really needs the repair and renovation.

Last night the board decided to postpone approval of the new funding for the project until there could be further review. The board's next regular meeting is set for August 6th.