September 19, 2005


JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM UPDATES SCHOOL REOPENING PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES AND PARENTS OR GUARDIANS

The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today updated procedures for employees and parents when schools reopen during the week of October 3, 2005.

Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel released the updated procedures for all of the system’s employees and parents/guardians of children entering Jefferson parish schools.

“We will do whatever it takes,” said Dr. Roussel. “In every challenge, there is great opportunity. We will seize the opportunity. Take care of yourselves and each other.”

School System

Schools classified in the “A” list will reopen on October 3 are: Airline, Birney, Bissonet, Boudreaux, Bridgedale, Butler, Cherbonnier, Clancy, Cuillier, Deckbar, Dolhonde, Ellender, Ellis, Estelle, Fisher, Grand Isle, Green Park, Greenlawn, Gretna Middle, Harris, Haynes, Hazel Park, Hearst, Janet, Jefferson, Maggoire, Marrero, Matas, Metairie Academy, Middleton, Pittman, Rillieux, Riverdale Middle, Riverdale High, Riviere, Schneckenburger, St. Ville, Strehle, Taylor Science & Tech, Waggaman, Wall, Washington, Westbank Community, Westwego, Woods, Woodland West, and Special Services building.

Schools in Class B have isolated damage, but will open on Ocotber 3 are: Adams, Ames, Audubon, Bridge City, Bonnabel, Bunche, Chateau, George Cox, Helen Cox, Douglass, East Jefferson, Ehret, Ford, Gretna #2, Gretna Park, Grace King, Harahan, Hart, Harvey, Higgins, Homedale, Jefferson Community, Keller, Lafitte, Livaudais, Live Oak, McDonogh #26, Meisler, Pitre, Roosevelt, Ruppel, Solis, Truman, West Jefferson, Worley

Class C schools will reopen as repairs are made and may take longer than October 3: Alexander, John Martyn, Lincoln, Terrytown, Thomas Jefferson, Woodmere.

School System Employees
All school system personnel are to report on Wednesday, September 21. Those who cannot report are to call the Personnel department at 504-349-7858, 7859, or 7860. ALL EXCEPTIONS for returning to work will be handled by the Personnel department. Staffing changes will be made the week of September 19 – 23. Immediate supervisors will be made aware of these changes. It is important for the system to know what employees will be returning. Some employees will not have adequate housing. Please encourage faculty and staff to consider housing other employees.

The superintendent’s office has secured 14 mobile housing units and is vigorously working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Save the Children, the state Department of Economic Development, and the Jefferson Federation of Teachers to secure more.

All school employees should make every effort to contact students. It is also important to know how many JPPSS students will be returning. Funding is contingent on the number of students JPPSS has enrolled.

Teachers and staff in schools that cannot open on October 3 will be housed in schools that can open. An announcement concerning this process will be made later this week.

Parents and Students

New students will register throughout the parish. Registration center locations and dates will be announced later this week. JPPSS students are to report to their school on October 3. If the school is damaged, students will be directed to a nearby school.

NOTE (Principals and Supervisors)

Do not cleanup anything or allow anyone to clean anything unless you have take photographs. Keep all trash and debris from the cleanup for FEMA and insurance purposes. Because of FEMA and insurance requirements, all people and/or companies sent to you school must receive clearance from the Facilities department. Do not contract with anyone on your own. Do not let people in who say they can clean up and turn in the claim to FEMA. We must turn in all claims. If you are working with military/police personnel, as the Facilities department what work needs to be completed. If you are working with the National Guard, contact Richard Carpenter who is coordinating this project. Mr. Carpenter will coordinate access, housing, and departing dates. If you need military assistance, contact Isaac Joseph.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 19, 2005


JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM RE-CONNECTS PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYEES
The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it has re-connected some communication lines for its Personnel department at its auxiliary site inside the system’s annex building in Marrero, La. to process questions from teachers, staff, and employees.

The Personnel department will manage five separate telephone lines from the auxiliary site to handle questions from system personnel only. Additional telephone lines will be added later in the week to carry the expected increased load. Technicians from BellSouth completed the work during the weekend in order to begin processing on Monday, September 19.

The school system will reopen some of its schools starting the week of October 3 following the return of school personnel this week.

The Personnel department will manage questions related to general inquiries, retirement, and medical coverage.

School system employees may call 504-349-7858, 7859, or 7860 for general inquiries. Employees may call 504-349-7878 for retirement questions. And employees may call 504-349-7865 for questions related to medical coverage.

The Personnel department will accept inquiries from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between Monday through Friday.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 16, 2005


JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM MOVES AUXILARY SITES BACK TO SYSTEM’S ANNEX BUILDING

The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it is moving its two Baton Rouge auxiliary sites and key central office personnel to temporary offices currently being erected at the system’s annex building in Marrero, La.

School system Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel ordered the relocation of staff and equipment following a telephone conversation with Jefferson Parish officials on the return of businesses and residents to Jefferson Parish.

Some central offices will open on Monday, September 19 at the annex building in order to support the continuing clean-up efforts at the system’s 42 schools that will reopen for students the week of October 3.

All supervisors will report no later than Monday, September 19, 2005. All employees, including teachers, will report to their worksites no later than Wednesday, September 21, 2005.

Registration for new students is to begin on September 26, 2005.

Communication lines to the Personnel department are scheduled to return to service the week of Sept. 19 – 23.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM RELEASES REQUIREMENTS FOR INVENTORY OF LOST ASSETS

The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it has released to all school administrators and staff the requirements to properly document and inventory damaged fixed assets resulting from Hurricane Katrina.

The system also announced a schedule has been developed for the mandatory inspections of schools beginning the week of September 19.

Members of the business services department will begin the process of documenting fixed assets starting the week of September 19. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations require school systems to inventory all equipment and supplies considered fixed assets whether they were storm damaged or not.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 14, 2005


JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ANNOUNCES SCHOOL REOPENING PROCEDURES

Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel released the procedures for all of the system’s employees prior to an emergency session of the Jefferson Parish School Board.

1. 42 schools are scheduled to reopen on October 3, 2005.
2. All employees are to contact their immediate supervisors ASAP.
3. Key central office employees housed in Baton Rouge are returning to Jefferson Parish beginning on Thursday, September 15, 2005. All should be housed in Jefferson by Monday, September 19, 2005.
4. All supervisors are to report no later than Monday, September 19, 2005, to take photographs of any damages, and to accomplish any basic cleanup that they can. All debris and trash must be kept for insurance and FEMA purposes. Supervisors are responsible for contacting their staffs.
5. The school district will open for students on October 3. In order to complete the necessary activities so that the education process may begin on that date, all employees, including teachers, are to report to their worksites no later than September 21, 2005, regardless of the condition of their worksite. Worksites may be damaged from Hurricane Katrina. Anyone who can report earlier should. This is necessary in order to accomplish what is needed to open schools, run busses, feed children, etc. for October 3, 2005. Employees who are not able to report on September 21, 2005 must contact Personnel Director Mr. Ronald Ceruti when communication lines are established the week of Sept. 19 – 23.
6. Schools not scheduled to open will be paired with other schools that can open. This determination will be made in planning with input from the regional assistant superintendents and the principals. Determination about platooning will be made when an actual student count can be reported. Registration for new students is to begin on September 26, 2005.
7. Principals reported to a meeting on Monday, September 12, 2005 to open their schools, take photographs of damage, meet with regional assistant superintendents, and accomplish any basic clean up that they could. All debris and trash are to be kept for insurance and FEMA purposes. Principals are also responsible for contacting their staffs.
8. Advertisements, website announcements, radio announcements and toll-free numbers are also in place to aid in contacting everyone.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 14, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM RELEASES UPDATED DAMAGE REPORT

The Jefferson Parish Public School System released today an updated damage report, based on on-site inspections, from its Facilities Department on the condition status of all of its schools following the impact from Hurricane Katrina two weeks ago.

The report classifies the condition of facilities into three categories. Class A facilities will open on October 3 and require little to no repair. Class B facilities will open later in the 2005-2006 school year and have isolated damage but the school can be utilized. Class C facilities sustained sever damage and wide spread areas of the school can not be utilized without major repair and/or renovation work completed and may open in the 2006-2007 school year.

This latest report updates a previous preliminary report and several schools have changed classification.

According to the updated report, 47 schools are in Class A, 33 schools are in Class B, and eight schools are in Class C.

The following schools are in Class A: Airline, Birney, Bissonet, Boudreaux, Bridgedale, Butler, Cherbonnier, Clancy, Cuillier, Deckbar, Dolhonde, Ellender, Ellis, Estelle, Fisher, Grand Isle, Green Park, Greenlawn, Gretna Middle, Harris, Haynes, Hazel Park, Hearst, Janet, Jefferson, Maggoire, Marrero, Matas, Metairie Academy, Middleton, Pittman, Rillieux, Riverdale Middle, Riverdale High, Riviere, Schneckemburger, St. Ville, Strehle, Taylor Science & Tech, Waggaman, Wall, Washington, Westbank Alternate, Westwego, Woods, Woodland West, and Special Services building.

The following schools are in Class B: Adams, Ames, Audubon, Bridge City, Bunche, Chateau, George Cox, Helen Cox, Douglass, East Jefferson, Ehret, Ford, Gretna #2, Gretna Park, Grace King, Harahan, Hart, Harvey, Higgins, Homedale, Keller, Lafitte, Livaudais, Live Oak, McDonogh #26, Meisler, Pitre, Roosevelt, Ruppel, Solis, Truman, West Jefferson, Worley

The following schools are in Class C: Alexander, Bonnabel, Jefferson Community, John Martyn, Lincoln, Terrytown, Thomas Jefferson, Woodmere.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 13, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CREATES PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS TO ADOPT SCHOOLS AND BEGIN ACCEPTING FINANCIAL DONATIONS

The Jefferson Parish Public School System has established a target date of the week of October 3 to reopen some of its schools not damaged by Hurricane Katrina two weeks ago.

Twenty-eight of the system’s schools can reopen on October 3; 14 schools received isolated damage, but are in usable condition and can reopen October 3, another 18 schools sustained moderate damage and may reopen in early 2006, 14 schools were seriously damaged and may reopen in the 2006-2007 school year, and nine schools suffered severe damage.

Administrators are now matching schools from Long Island, NY, Syracuse, NY, Chicago, IL, Ashland, KY, and Delaware with schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System for the adoption program.

Currently, the school system is encouraging other schools and school districts throughout the country to begin fundraising efforts. The Jefferson Parish Public School System is not able to accept at the present time school supplies, uniforms, textbooks, or other materials due to extremely limited storage capacity. The school system is recommending that any organization wishing to donate to consider gift cards from major retailers that will be distributed to teachers and staff to assist them with returning to their homes.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 12, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ANNOUNCES AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 MEETING

The Jefferson Parish Public School System will meet in emergency session on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) in the Louisiana Purchase Room at the state Department of Education (Claiborne building) in Baton Rouge, LA.

1. Roll call
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Resolution ratifying all agenda items voted on and approved at the September 7 meeting.
5. Reports from the Superintendent and staff on the status of the Jefferson Parish Public School System.
6. Others
7. Executive session to discuss emergency procedures and the status of the Jefferson Parish Public School System, including personnel matters and emergency staffing.
8. Adjournment

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 12, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CONDUCTS MEETING OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO REOPEN

FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER

The Jefferson Parish Public School System today conducted an emergency meeting of school principals at its auxiliary site in Baton Rouge as the next step in the process to begin reopening some of its schools during the week of October 3.

Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel led the meeting with a brief prayer “to remember what our children have been through as we reopen our schools” before discussing the latest damage report from the school system’s property preservation team.

More than 60 principals attended the meeting to discuss a wide variety of issues related to reopening some of the systems’ schools during the first week of October.

Following the hour-long meeting, the principals convened in separate groups with their respective East and West Bank administrators to review the assessment procedures and reports.

The school system has established five satellite offices for administrators and managers to continue the rebuilding process following the devastating impact from Hurricane Katrina two weeks ago. Offices have been created in Baton Rouge, Iberville Parish, and East Bank and West Bank offices, and at the administrative annex building.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 11, 2005

SCHOOL REOPENING INFORMATION

Jefferson Parish Public School Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel has issued the following information concerning the projected timeline for reopening of schools in Jefferson Parish:

1. Some schools will be able to open the week of October 3, 2005 depending on utilities and transportation services.
2. All classified and support employees, except bus drivers, are to report to work during the week of Sept. 26 – 30.
3. Teachers will report to work during the week of Sept. 26 – 30.
4. The Jefferson Parish School Board will conduct an emergency meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) in the Louisiana Purchase Room located on the first floor of the Claiborne building which houses the state Department of Education.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 9, 2005

MEETING NOTICE
The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it will conduct a session of the Jefferson Parish Public School Board on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 in the Louisianan Purchase Room located on the first floor of the Caliborne building of the state Department of Education in Baton Rouge.

The time of the meeting is still to be determined.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 8, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ANNOUNCES SCHEDULED SEPTEMBER PAYROLL POSTING

The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it will post employees’ regularly scheduled September 15 and September 30 payroll, as of the current personnel records, through direct deposit.

All employees will receive compensation based on personnel data as of records on file on August 26, 2005.

Newly hired teachers and/or support staff will have their checks mailed to their last known address of record.

Regular and newly hired employees will receive their regular pay and/or step increase in the September 15 pay check.

Employees with checking and/or savings accounts with Jefferson Parish School Board Employees’ Credit Union can access their accounts through the financial institution’s toll free number of 800-259-2471. Employees can also access their accounts through one of the Credit Union Service Centers. Employees can contact the JPSBECU’s website at www.jpsbecu.org.

Administrators credit the mandatory direct deposit, instituted in 2004, with the ability to distribute pay utilizing remote access. Additionally in 2004, the business services department upgraded critical hardware and software to better handle emergency conditions.

“Our employees can rest assured that their payroll records and personnel data are secure,” said Jefferson Parish Public School System Chief Financial Officer Raylyn Stevens. “Last year’s upgrade has allowed us to accurately transfer and monitor this crucial information from our satellite location here in Baton Rouge. This system will permit our staff to operate at a high level of efficiency until we move into a permanent location.“

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 8, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM RELEASES PRELIMINARY DAMAGE REPORT

The initial assessment report is a compilation of on-site inspections, law enforcement reports, and use of high resolution satellite photographs. The report will continue to evolve as new data is received.

The report classifies the condition of facilities into three categories. Class A facilities will require little to no repair. Class B facilities have isolated damage but the school could be utilized. Class C facilities sustained sever damage and wide spread areas of the school can not be utilized without major repair and/or renovation work completed.

According to the preliminary report, 30 schools remain to be surveyed by the system’s property preservation team due to inconclusive or no data. 41 schools are in Class A and are in usable condition. Eleven schools are in Class B with isolated damage, but are in usable condition. Nine schools are in Class C and received significant damage from the hurricane.

The following schools are in Class A: Adams, Airline, Alexander, Audubon, Birney, Boudreaux, Bissonet, Cuillier, Deckbar, Dolhonde, Ellender, Ellis, Ford, Greenlawn, Gretna Middle, Gretna Kindergarten, Harris, Harvey, Hazel Park, Haynes, Hearst, Helen Cox, Higgins, Janet, Jefferson, Keller, Livaudais, Live Oak, Maggoire, Matas, Metairie Academy, Rillieux, Riverdale High, Riviere, Roosevelt, Schneckenburger, St. Ville, Truman, Westwego, Woods, Worley.

The following schools are in Class B: Chateau, Clancy, Douglass, Grace King, Harahan, Hart, Kate Middleton, McDonogh #26, Meisler, Riverdale Middle, West Jefferson High.

The following schools are in Class C: Ames, Bonnabel, East Jefferson High, Gretna Park, Lincoln, Ruppel, Solis, Thomas Jefferson, Woodmere.


Following Chapter 3 of the Jefferson Parish Public School System Hurricane Preparedness Plan, developed in 2001, the facilities department has formed four assessment teams to complete a comprehensive review of the schools. The teams have received clearance from Jefferson Parish emergency planning officials and plan to complete their report within the next ten days.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 7, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ESTABLISHES TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today that it has established a toll-free telephone information system for employees to receive continuously updated information about the school system.

Employees may contact the telephone information system toll-free at: 1-866-563-6559.

The system has produced an initial information statement regarding several issues of major concern for employees.

The first automated message informs employees that the school system has relocated to an auxiliary site in Baton Rouge, all current employee data and information has been secured, the September 15 and 30 paychecks will be posted through direct deposit, employee health insurance will remain in effect through the end of September, and the Jefferson Parish School Board has designated the week of October 3, 2005 for some schools to re-open.

Employees are encouraged to periodically check the telephone information system for updated information.

Media Contact:
Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 7, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL BE FEATURED AT U.S. SENATE HEARING ON IMPACT TO EDUCATION FROM HURRICANE KATRINA
The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today that Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel will be the featured guest speaker at a U.S. Senate hearing in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 8, 2005 to discuss the impact on education following the destruction from Hurricane Katrina last week.

Dr. Roussel was invited by U.S. Senator Bill Frist, R-Tennessee to attend the Health, Education, Labor & Pension (HELP) committee to discuss a variety of subjects following Hurricane Katrina that severely damaged schools in Jefferson Parish.

Senator Frist, who will lead the roundtable discussion, has expressed concern regarding FEMA, educational authority, and economic growth and its relationship to education. An official hearing by the committee could come later this year.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Senator Frist and the other senators to discuss what a devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had on Jefferson Parish Public School System as well as surrounding school systems,” said Roussel.


Media Contact:

Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 7, 2005

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM RELEASES PRELIMINARY DAMAGE REPORT ON FACILITIES
The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today that a preliminary hurricane damage report has been completed on some of its schools following Hurricane Katrina last week.

According to the preliminary report, 20 schools remain to be surveyed by the system’s property preservation team. The report states that 44 schools are in usable condition. Eleven schools have isolated damage, but are in usable condition. That’s a total of 55 schools that are usable for classes or are partly usable. Nine schools received significant damage from the hurricane.

The school system’s main administration building on Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey sustained significant roof and water damage. The system’s administrative annex/warehouse building on River Rd. sustained isolated roof and window damage. The East Bank regional office has not been surveyed and the West Bank regional office has minor tree damage.

The property preservation team conducted on-site inspections of the facilities and augmented the report through the use of high resolution satellite images.

The property preservation team, which has been relocated to offices in the city of Gretna, will return to Jefferson Parish and begin surveying the remaining schools in the system.

Media Contact:

Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison
225/329-9345 (cell)

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CONCLUDES FIRST RESTRUCTURING MEETING
The Jefferson Parish Public School System announced today it completed a meeting at the state Department of Education to rebuild the system following the damage from Hurricane Katrina last week.

Jefferson Parish Public School System Superintendent Dr. Diane Roussel led the two-hour long meeting attended by senior administrators, instructional staff, and legal counsel.

Dr. Roussel received initial preliminary reports from facilities, communications, finance, IT, and personnel.

“This was a good first step in determining the status of our system,” said Roussel. “There are several other reports which we will have tomorrow that will help guide us in how to restore parts of our system.”

Representatives from state superintendent Cecil Picard’s office also attended the meeting and discussed the previous day’s meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The business services department reported that hardware and software systems containing payroll and employee data have been successfully transported and are now fully functional at an auxiliary site in Baton Rouge.

Media Contact:

Jeff Nowakowski, Community Liaison

More information on the Jefferson Parish Public School System will be posted on the state Department of Education website www.louisianaschools.net.

September 6, 2005
Announcements to Board and Media

1. All plant managers who can return to their schools are being asked to do so, to inspect their buildings, and to report their findings to Paul Emenes (225-329-9338) or George Hebert (225-329-9339) by Friday, September 9, 2005. Those plant managers who cannot report are asked to contact their principals. Principals who can report in place of their absent plant managers are asked to do so.
   
   
2. A meeting of all principals who can come to Baton Rouge is scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2005, at 10 am in the Louisiana Purchase Room located on the first floor of the Claiborne Education Building on 1201 North Third Street. Any principal who cannot attend is asked to contact George Hebert (225-329-9339) or Paul Emenes. (225-329-9338).

September 5, 2005

Facility Status Reports DOC | PDF

September 4, 2005

The Jefferson Parish Public School System has set up an auxiliary site at the State Department of Education office in Baton Rouge. Coordination of efforts to assess, rebuild, and re-open the school system will be housed in Baton Rouge until further notice. Financial operations are also being transferred to Baton Rouge. An initial core of central office administrators and clerical support has reported. Additional staff will be reporting as circumstances allow. Please be assured that we are moving as expeditiously as
we can in conjunction with parish, state and federal entity. The administration, in partnership, with the Jefferson Federation of Teachers is ensuring that employees will be paid in a timely manner via direct deposit until other financial decisions can be made. Our goal is to re-open some of our schools, as many as we can, in the first semester. Parents and guardians should enroll their children in schools where their families are
currently housed.

The following are steps that will be taken by the Jefferson Parish School System:

1. The personnel and payroll records are being secured and transported.
2. As soon as clearance is given by parish government, teams headed by David Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities, will assess damage to facilities, equipment and supplies.
3. Schools most easily repaired will be opened first. Those schools will be utilized for as many as two shifts of students in a split schedule arrangement.
4. School populations may change in the interim to facilitate re-openings.
5. A telephone line for questions will be set up and advertised in the near future.
6. Information will be posted on the State Department of Education website - www.louisianaschools.net.

Diane Roussel, Ph.D
Superintendent