PAISD trying to prepare 9th grade campus for reopening following fire

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, with the goal of reopening on Monday, January 12, and 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. 

The PAISD board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the fire damage and plans for the future. 

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.  A meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday will be held for 9th grade students and their parents. 

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.