JENNINGS — The Jeff Davis Parish School Board is looking to accommodate future growth with a new strategic plan.

“We are looking at future obstacles which we will have to overcome,” Superintendent Brian LeJeune said.

Expansion of the energy industry in the Lake Charles area is expected to bring a big influx of new students to the area within the next 10 years.

“We are expected to see enrollment increase in just about all our schools,” LeJeune said.

Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Director Marion “Butch” Fox told the Jennings City Council last week that 60 percent of the people moving to Southwest Louisiana will live in the Lake Charles area. The remaining 40 percent will likely move to other areas, including Jeff Davis Parish.

Lacassine is likely to receive the brunt of the population growth, according to local projections.

“Lacassine is (already) filling up and more are coming,” LeJeune said.

As the district looks to accommodate future growth, the School Board will be considering adding portable buildings and classroom expansions at many schools including James Ward Elementary in Jennings, Hathaway High, Welsh Elementary and Lacassine High and Lake Arthur High.

Board members will meet at 6 p.m. March 26 at the Abshire Camp to brainstorm a proposed strategic plan for 2014 and beyond.

“Now is the time to start and begin discussion on these plans and things that we need in place to continue our growth,” Lejeune said. “Anything and everything that our future holds needs to be in the plan”

“We need to look at where we want to be, how to get there and start putting things in place.”

The board is also looking at reallocating an existing bond millage to utilize as a new technology millage. The millage could bring in a projected $440,000 to upgrade district technology on an annual basis to include computers and related infrastructures.

Another option the board is considering involves a 15 mill bond millage and a half-cent sales tax to build a new Jennings/James Ward Elementary School for pre-kindergarten through sixth grades.

The existing Jennings Elementary School could be used to create a new pre-kindergarten-second grade facility with a new cafeteria and gym.

Existing millages are also being eyed for additional classroom wings, repairs and refurbishing of schools in Lacassine, Lake Arthur, Welsh, Elton, Hathaway and Fenton.

Other options the board could build upon in the plan include:l Selling or demolishing the old media center next to the football field in Jennings.l Selling or finding occupants for and renovate the old James Ward Elementary School on Wilbert Rochelle Drive.l Renovating and relocating the School Board’s Central Office to the James Ward/Northside facilityl Enhancing and expansion of Sowela Technical College programs.l Creating an instruction center at the old Morgan Smith Technical College campus once a new facility is built.l Create more art opportunities for students to include vocal music programs.Lejeune stressed that plans included in the proposal are only being considered by the board. Further action, including voter approval, may be needed for many of the plans.

(MGNonline)