Jeff Davis schools want students back Oct. 10

BY DORIS MARICLE
AMERICAN PRESS

JENNINGS — Jeff Davis Parish school officials say students will return to classes on Oct. 10, a week from Monday.

Schools in Jeff Davis Parish will remain closed next week to allow for cleanup. Some schools are also being used to house out-of-state National Guard troops and utility crews dispatched to the area to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Rita.

Superintendent of School Tommy Smith said all 12-month employees, assistant principals and principals are to report to their assigned work sites on Monday, Oct. 3, to begin cleanup of facilities.

Students will not return to school until the following Monday on Oct. 10, which had previously been scheduled for a teacher in-service day. Smith said the in-service day has been canceled and buses will run.

Any students or employees with extreme circumstances which would prevent them from returning to school or work should contact the school’s principal, he said.

Smith said many of the schools will not be able to reopen next week because of damage. He said every school has received some type of damage ranging from minor roof problems to flooded floors.

Local schools are also serving as staging areas for National Guard troops and electrical crews working to restore power in the area.

More than 800 troops and electrical crews are being housed at schools in Welsh and Jennings. Cafeteria tables and chairs from Ward Elementary School are also being used at a staging area at the Jennings Airport.