Boothville-Venice Elementary School suffered roof damage in Hurricane Isaac. Patch work conducted to the roof after Hurricane Katrina was ripped off. Workers were on the job on Sunday starting repairs. Schools on the South end and the Eastbank will
have climate control systems set up to maintain the buildings until infrastructure is functioning in the communities.

Photo by Terri Sercovich

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Classes in the north end of the parish, at Belle Chasse Primary School, Belle Chasse Middle School, and Belle Chasse High School resumed today.
Work continues on the rest of the school system.

Classes at South Plaquemines schools—South Plaquemines Elementary, South Plaquemines High School, and Boothville-Venice Elementary— will resume September 10.

Superintendent of Schools Denis Rousselle says that the district is working hard to clean up and repair any damage to schools in the southern end, so when residents return home they can take comfort in knowing that the schools are operating
business-as-usual.

“I’m working on getting a generator in South Plaquemines Elementary and High School, as well as Boothville-Venice Elementary to gain some climate control to offset any mold problems,” Rousselle explained.

“That way when they get power down there and the roadways are clear, people will see that the schools are ready.”

Boothville-Venice Elementary suffered significant roof damage, but by Monday September 1, crews had nearly completed the repairs.

As far as the school district’s new construction projects go, Rousselle says the storm will not set back their progress. The parish’s three new schools— Phoenix High School, South Plaquemines Elementary, and South Plaquemines High School— are moving forward.

“Phoenix is in good shape, and so are the other construction sites,” said Rousselle. “I’m not going to let the people on the Eastbank and in South Plaquemines down by not getting these schools on line.”