Isaac Damage Reported to Louisiana Schools

Officials say Hurricane Isaac caused no catastrophic damage to St. James Parish public schools, but the district needs to spend $500,000 to $750,000 for storm repairs.

Jim Mitchell, administrative director of business services for the district, told school board members Wednesday the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse the district for at least 75 percent of eligible costs because the parish has been declared a disaster zone.

The Advocate reports the storm’s only significant damage took place at Gramercy and 6th Ward elementary schools, where the roof caps on kitchen vent hoods were blown off the schools’ new roofing systems, allowing water into the schools’ kitchens.

Several inches of water also got into the Lutcher High School auditorium, ruining the carpet, which will need to be replaced, Mitchell said.

At St. James High School, excessive moisture from water intrusion and built-up condensation forced school officials to replace the carpet and stage curtains in the auditorium and the first floor ceiling tiles in the school’s main corridor, Mitchell said.

Water intrusion at the Science and Math Academy’s gifted classroom also caused damage, he said.

The carpet in that classroom was pulled up and will be replaced with tile, Mitchell said.

All damage has been repaired or was being fixed, Mitchell said.

The repair and recovery efforts initially will be funded through the School Board’s general fund before reimbursement, Mitchell said.