NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Natchitoches Parish School Board members voted Thursday night to close two schools and relocate students as the district faces financial challenges with the impending closure of a major taxpayer and employer.
The meeting was emotional at times, but also drew frustration from board members for having to make the difficult decision to close Goldonna Elementary and Natchitoches Junior High School.
“I’ve always said I wouldn’t vote to close a school, but we woke up in a different world when the mill closed," said one board members.
That mill closure is International Paper Company's containerboard facility in Campti. IP unexpectedly announced last month its plan to shut down operations, resulting in the loss of more than 500 jobs.
Millions of dollars in property tax revenue will be lost with the shutdown, with that trickling down to all public agencies in the parish. Sales tax is expected to take a hit, too, as well as other financial impact from the lost jobs.
Despite some resistance among board members, the motion to close the two schools for the 2025-26 school year passed on a roll call vote.
Some board members still have concerns about the school building's future use, with questions about whether the junior high gymnasium should remain open if the structure was deemed unfit for students. While air quality reports did not indicate immediate hazards,ongoing monitoring was recommended by the board due to moisture issues.
Board members also emphasized the importance of preserving the school’s facilities for community use.
“We need to do our part in maintaining that school and allowing the community an opportunity to use it,” another board member added.
The board also debated a proposal to relocate sixth-grade students from Fairview Alpha Elementary to Lakeview, reconfiguring Fairview Alpha as a Pre-K through fifth-grade school and Lakeview as a sixth- through 12th-grade institution.
Community members expressed concerns about placing younger students in a high school environment. One parent pointed to studies suggesting negative effects of such a transition, arguing that Fairview Alpha had enough space to retain its sixth-grade students.
A representative for Fairview’s principal at the board meeting urged the board to delay the decision until an impact analysis on school performance scores could be conducted. Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi acknowledged that simulations had not yet been performed but assured the board that such data could be available at a later meeting.
While some board members highlighted potential academic and extracurricular benefits for students, others remained concerned about safety and discipline at Lakeview. They acknowledged past issues but noted significant improvements in recent years.
The next school board meeting will include further discussions on the sixth-grade transition, as well as updates on the future use of the closed school facilities.
Board members reiterated the importance of unity in decision-making, emphasizing that all changes should prioritize the well-being of students, teachers and the community.
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The Natchitoches Parish Journal contributed to this report