Erath school projects put on hold

ABBEVILLE — Plans to join with the Vermilion Parish Police Jury on projects to protect Erath High School and Erath Middle School from storm damage were put on hold by the Vermilion Parish School Board on Thursday.

The board will reconsider the plans at a special board meeting Jan. 23. Up for consideration will be funding for projects that would protect the schools from hurricane storm surges and severe flooding by using walls and levees.

The projects are expected to cost about $2.4 million.

Superintendent Randy Schexnayder said he met with Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Wayne Touchet and others earlier Thursday.

He said the School Board would be responsible for 25 percent of the cost of engineering on the project, about $52,000.

The remainder would be covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency flood mitigation funds related to hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

“If this is what the board wants, we need to enter into the agreement now,” Schexnayder said.

But board member Tony Fontana questioned FEMA’s ability to fund the building project after the board funds the plans.

“What is the chance we will spend $52,000 and get what we need,” he asked. “FEMA is broke right now.”

Schexnayder said he expected the School Board to receive the remainder of the funds based on past history, but Fontana remained skeptical and moved for the item to be delayed pending further investigation by the administration and board.