PAISD board approves use of 9th grade campus after arson

The Port Arthur School Superintendent says a weekend fire that investigators believe was intentionally set caused an estimated 'million' dollars in damage.  But tonight Dr. Johnny Brown and school board members believe they've come up with a plan that could have students back in the building next week.

"What we believe is the better option now is to just roll our sleeves up and just move forward," said PAISD Superintendent Johnny Brown.

The move Port Arthur ISD is making just 48 hours after a devastating fire that damaged two of it's schools is first and foremost... focused on safety.

"There will not be any entrance into it, it will be sealed off," said PAISD spokesperson Dr. Mark Porterie.

Tuesday night, the Board of Trustees heard about the repair plans already in action at Booker T. Washington Elementary School, and the Memorial Ninth Grade Campus following the Sunday night fire Port Arthur investigators believe was arson.

Administrators say wiring and ceilings are being replaced, while electronics, flooring and textbooks are being chemically restored with the goal of welcoming more than a thousand students back to class by Monday, January 12th.

Brown said, "We'll teach the children, that's critical, but we'll have them safe before it gets that far."

The district had considered several sites for relocating the students, including a vacant medical center in Port Arthur, but safety issues at that site ultimately led the district to do what's necessary to return the ninth graders to their own campus.

PAISD Trustee Willie Mae Elmore said, "I think that's the very best thing we can do for them is to get them back home."

The 280 elementary students who were attending classes on the ninth grade campus 'before' the fire, because of bond construction at 'their' school, will be divided among five other elementary campuses... 'with' their teachers.  As for the district having to deal with yet 'another' unexpected blow this year...

Brown said, "It was unfair, ridiculous and certainly regrettable, and at the same time I want to acknowledge that it's a challenge to us, but we'll not allow anything to stand in the way of teaching our children."

The parents of affected students will have three opportunities to meet with the district to discuss re-location and transportation changes.  All of the meetings will be held this Thursday, January 8th at the Memorial 9th Grade auditorium.

The first meeting starts at 8 a.m. Thursday for Booker T. Washington students and parents.  The second is at 10 a.m. for the 9th Grade campus students and parents.  The last meeting is at 5 p.m. and is a second opportunity for Booker T. Washington families to learn about the changes.

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The Port Arthur ISD board has approved the return of ninth grade students to the Memorial 9th grade campus on Monday, January 12, following a fire that heavily damaged the school.

The board met Tuesday night and heard from Dr. Johnny Brown, the PAISD superintendent.  Trustees approved a waiver for the five days this week students will miss school.

The Port Arthur school superintendent tells KFDM News the district has an "army of people" working on repairing fire damage to the Memorial 9th grade campus, to ensure it'll reopen on Monday, January 12. 

The district has abandoned the possibility of using a medical building on the property of the now closed Park Place Hospital as a campus for 9th grade students.

The Port Arthur school district is also planning meetings this week with students and their parents to share information about the case of arson that heavily damaged the Memorial 9th grade campus.

The fire on Sunday, January 4 damaged the Memorial 9th Grade campus and the portion of the school where Booker T. Washington Elementary School students attend class.  They were going to school in a portion of the 9th grade campus while the district builds a new elementary school.  Beginning Monday, January 12, those 280 students will be divided among Wheatley, Wilson,Travis, DeQueen and Tyrrell Elementary schools for the remainder of the 2009 school year.  Buses will be used to transport students from their homes.

PAISD superintendent Dr. Johnny Brown tells KFDM News the fire caused extensive damage to the 9th grade campus.  He originally thought the damage might prevent students from returning this year. However, he's been told by workers who specialize in fire recovery that they'll be able to get the building in a position to reopen by Monday, January 12.

The district looked at the possibility of using a medical building on the property of the now closed Park Place Hospital to house the 750 ninth grade students for the rest of the 2009 school year.  However, Dr. Brown said after inspecting the building, it became clear asbestos abatement and other problems would prevent the district from using the building.  He says another option he doesn't support is to send the 9th grade students to the 10-12 grade Memorial High at alternate hours to make room for them.  Dr. Brown wants a plan in place to allow the 9th grade students to return to class Monday, January 12. 

A meeting to discuss the fire damage and plans to get students back in class is set for Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Memorial 9th grade auditorium for the Booker T. Washington Elementary School students and their parents.  If they can't attend that meeting, another one is scheduled for 5 p.m.  A meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday will be held for 9th grade students and their parents, also in the auditorium. 

The district has set up an account to allot up to $250 for each teacher to replenish supplies damaged by the fire.

Brown says the 9th grade campus, formerly Lincoln High School, will be renovated with $20-$22 million approved in a 2007 bond issue.  The campus will become an elementary school for students who attended Wilson Elementary, damaged by Hurricane Rita.  They now attend Franklin Elementary.

Port Arthur fire investigators say the fire that heavily damaged the Memorial 9th grade campus, formerly Lincoln High School, was intentionally set.  No one has been arrested.

  The fire was reported at 9:57 p.m. Sunday at 1023 Lincoln Avenue.  The main building is separated into two campuses, with the 9th grade campus on the south end and Booker T. Washington Elementary on the north end.  The fire originated in a classroom on the north end of the building and extended into other areas of the building.

  Stay with KFDM for the latest on the story.