All memorabilia items from closing schools will be placed for auction through the District’s standard auction process on publicsurplus.com. The standard notification process will be followed plus additional postings to ensure that the community is aware of the auctioning occurring. These auctions will not be lumped with other District items. The District will create a scholarship(s) for the benefit of a closing school student. Criteria will be determined at a later date. A date has not been set for the auction but will be communicated widely once it's set.

Safe, reliable transportation is one of the main functions of a public school system. Over 30,000 families rely on us for transportation every day. We know many of our families experienced challenges these last three years with reliable bus transportation, and we understand the burden that places on families. While we are seeing less disruptions to bus services than previous years, providing transportation for our families remains a daily priority for our bus drivers, transportation department, and district. 

We are continuously working hard to find solutions and are committed to serving our families. We regularly analyze ridership data in an effort to consolidate routes and make the most of the resources we have. When possible, we buddy the routes, meaning a bus driver will pick up/drop off an additional route on top of his/her regularly scheduled routes. With closures because of the 2023 Plan, we will be able to consolidate even more routes. We also remain in regular contact with our transportation vendor, offer incentives to recruit qualified drivers, and conduct licensing training for bus driver applicants. In the event there are bus service interruptions, we notify families as soon as we learn their route will not be serviced. 

We are working to ensure that all buildings are fully accessible to the students who will be attending new schools based on the 2023 Infrastructure and Efficiency Plan. Under the IDEA and related state law, students with exceptionalities receive accommodations in accordance with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) created specifically for the student by a team that includes parents and knowledgeable educators. We have, and will continue, to comply with state and federal law relative to accommodations for students with exceptionalities. As a district, we make decisions for students utilizing their IEP and student data to ensure that students have reasonable accommodations in place to allow access to an equitable learning environment.

The district is currently working on updates to welcome students to new schools for the 2023-2024 school year. These may include updates such as paving to ensure entry and exit points are accessible for all students, improving restroom facilities, and ensuring the classrooms are prepared to meet students’ needs.

Schools are meeting to share pertinent information about all special education students so that there will be a smooth transition, and staff are working on the transfer of students’ equipment for use in their new classrooms. We will ensure all students receive the necessary accommodations based on their individual needs from their IEPs.

We are committed to supporting our students, families, and schools through this transition and continuing to create a safe and orderly environment for all our students.

Our top responsibility is the safety of our students, and our top priority is student learning. We know change is not always easy, which is why the decisions we made in the 2023 Infrastructure and Efficiency Plan were not made lightly. 

We have, and will continue, to comply with state and federal law relative to accommodations that our students with exceptionalities need in order to access their educational programs. District personnel are meeting with impacted schools to share pertinent information about all special education students so that there will be a smooth transition. Service providers are working on classroom layouts and the transference of equipment in order to create familiarity for the students in their new classrooms. The administration teams at all our schools have student safety at the forefront of their minds and will welcome all new students with open arms.

We are also allocating additional support personnel and social workers next school year to impacted high schools to support students’ social emotional needs, ensure a smooth transition, and continue to create a safe and positive learning environment for all. Principals are working on activities and programming to conduct this summer and fall to help new students acclimate. In addition, we are implementing the Smart Start program that uses the first four days of school to give students in grades 9-12 their own dedicated first day of school.

We are allocating additional support personnel and social workers next school year to impacted high schools to support students’ social emotional needs, ensure a smooth transition, and continue to create a safe and positive learning environment for all. Principals are working on activities and programming to conduct this summer and fall to help new students acclimate. In addition, we are implementing the Smart Start program that uses the first four days of school to give students in grades 9-12 their own dedicated first day of school.

Because official diplomas are received from the state and are school specific, a student’s official diploma will have the name of their new school.  The district will provide students graduating in 2024 with an unofficial replica diploma with their previous school’s name. Additionally, all students are required to wear the same cap and gown for graduation.  During the 2024 graduation ceremonies, schools will allow students to wear chords and/or stoles representing their previous school.   

Yes. The second round of applications for the Magnet School Transfer Request is open May 1-12. Applications are available at jpschools.org/SchoolChoice.

Yes. The second round of applications for Jefferson Virtual High School is open May 1-12. Applications are available at jpschools.org/SchoolChoice.

Yes. The second round of applications for the 9th Grade High School Choice is open May 1-12. Applications are available at jpschools.org/SchoolChoice.

The schools and district are actively working together to determine how to best support families in this situation.  More information will be provided at a later date. 

We understand letterman jackets and class rings have significant meaning and value to students.  Students will be allowed to wear their class rings.  Additionally, if the new school has a future ring ceremony scheduled, new students will be allowed to participate. Please note, ceremony fees may apply.  As it relates to letterman jackets, during inclement weather days, students will be allowed to wear their letterman jackets.  Please note, no other jersey, class shirt, sweatshirt, or athletic team/club shirt will be allowed. 

Yes. Families may select schools on either bank provided there is capacity.  Families granted 9th Grade School Choice Transfers must provide their own transportation. 

JP Schools choose to consolidate for a multitude of reasons.

• We are in a similar situation as many other school districts across the nation that continue to experience a decline in enrollment. The trend of declining enrollment is being attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other demographic factors that are affecting birth rates and school populations. Many of our current schools are not at capacity – there are too many facilities for the number of students we have. The current district student capacity is 60,750, and current student enrollment is approximately 42,000 (not including charter schools). 
• We are seeing record high teacher shortages, with 140 teacher vacancies, up from 40 vacancies at the same time in 2019. Teacher attraction and retention is a national issue with robust local and regional competition for seasoned educators. Our staffing shortages also include bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and mental health professionals.
• Eighty percent of our facilities are aged out of the average life cycle of a municipal building, which is 50 years. The average age of our buildings is 60 years, and 41% of our schools are between 41 and 99 years old. 
• Jefferson Parish looks different today than it did when our current footprint was established. The number of children under the age of 18 has been decreasing consistently each decade. In 1980, the number of children under the age of eighteen was approximately 140,000. In 2020, this population was 96,000.  
• In addition to the decline in student population, we have potential funding gaps due to Hurricane Ida repairs. Our plan is to continue funding recurring district initiatives that are using one-time Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funds. For example, Jefferson Summer Bridge cost the district approximately $4,050,000 in ESSER funds during summer 2022, and all ESSER funds expire in September 2024.

These changes will be for the 2023-24 school year.

No. Certificated employees with a satisfactory evaluation working at a school that is closing or being  consolidated  will maintain their employment, salary, and benefits. Just like the 2020 school consolidations and K-8 expansion, the JP Schools Human Resources team will visit schools to meet face-to-face with employees impacted by these changes and get their input on where they would like to work next school year. 

The plan Meyers Engineering/MGT Consulting presented is the result of feedback from the MGT Town Hall meetings held in March, dozens of community meetings, feedback from various stakeholders, and research by the district and independent education consultants. It also puts into action many of the recommendations made by the Hill Group in their 2018 Jefferson Parish Schools Educational Facility Master Plan study.

Regular and special sessions school board meeting air live on Jefferson Parish Schools television and stream live on our website. JP Schools TV can be viewed on Cox and AT&T Uverse. You can find the live stream link here.

The district is seeing record-high teacher shortages. We currently have 140 teacher vacancies, up from 20 vacancies in 2020. Teacher recruitment and retention is a state and national issue. Staffing shortages also include bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and mental health professionals.

Eighty percent of our facilities are older than the average life cycle for a municipal building. The average age of our buildings is 60 years. 

What schools are impacted by the plan? 

Under the plan, seven schools will be consolidated and students will be reabsorbed into other schools:

1. Grace King High School students will be absorbed into Bonnabel High School and Riverdale High School 

2. Gretna Middle School students will be absorbed into Marrero Middle School and Livaudais Middle School

3. Helen Cox High School students will be absorbed into John Ehret High School and West Jefferson High School

4. Joshua Butler Elementary students will be absorbed into Isaac Joseph Elementary and Truman School

5. Mildred Harris Elementary students will be absorbed into Cherbonnier Elementary and Emmett Gilbert Elementary  

6. Washington Elementary students will be absorbed into Bunche Elementary 

7. St. Ville Elementary students will be absorbed into Woodmere Elementary while a new school is being built at the current St. Ville site. Once the new school construction is completed at St. Ville’s current site, a new St. Ville Elementary will open. At that time, school lines will be redrawn to include the St. Ville Elementary, Woodmere Elementary, Shirley Johnson Gretna Park Elementary, and George Cox Elementary campuses.  

Two schools will relocate their campuses and students:

1. Haynes Academy will relocate to the Grace King High School campus

2. Thomas Jefferson Academy will relocate to the Gretna Middle

This plan also calls for the creation of one new PK-8 school:

• C.T. Janet Elementary (currently PK-5)

 This plan also calls for the creation of one new PK-8 school:

• C.T. Janet Elementary (currently PK-5)

No. The current district student capacity is 60,750, and current student enrollment is approximately 42,000, not including charter schools. We are operating too many facilities for the enrollment we have.

The parish looks different today than it did when our current footprint was established. The number of children under the age of 18 has been decreasing consistently each decade. In 1980, the number of children under the age of eighteen was approximately 140,000. In 2020, this population was 96,000.  

JP Schools will send impacted families placement letters with their assigned school once school attendance zone maps after approved. Attendance zone maps are viewable at jpschools.org/2023Plan.

Two schools will relocate their campuses and students:

1. Haynes Academy will relocate to the Grace King High School campus

2. Thomas Jefferson Academy will relocate to the Gretna Middle School campus

PK-8s are neighborhood schools that serve students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th. Our PK-8s offer Tier 1 curriculum, enriching athletics and extracurricular activities, and a safe nurturing environment where students are prepared for high school and beyond. 

Attendance zone maps are available at jpschools.org/SchoolChoice. Students will attend school based on their address and attendance zone. JP Schools will send letters to families with a student impacted, noting the student’s 2023-2024 school according to the approved maps.

Yes. The plan puts in motion the construction of two new school campuses at the following sites:

• Bunche Elementary

• St. Ville Elementary 

We understand this is an incredibly difficult and emotional time for those impacted by these decisions. As a district, we do not make these decisions lightly. 

Certificated employees with a satisfactory evaluation working at a school that is closing or being  consolidated will maintain their employment, salary, and benefits. Just like the 2020 school consolidations and K-8 expansion, the JP Schools Human Resources team visited schools to meet face-to-face with employees impacted by these changes and get their input on where they would like to work next school year. 

Meyers Engineering/MGT Consulting presented the 2023 Infrastructure and Efficiency Plan to the Jefferson Parish School Board at a Special Session School Board meeting on March 27. The plan was developed by Meyers Engineering/MGT Consulting at the request of the School Board at the February 2023 School Board meeting.

One of the main objectives of the plan was to make more efficient use of our facilities. The results show that most of our buildings are under capacity. The consolidations and expansions in this plan will place the impacted school buildings at adequate capacity (which is 71%-94% capacity) or less. Some schools will add students, while others will have less students. We will also continue to follow Louisiana guidelines when it comes to student teacher ratio. 

Yes, for schools that remain open. Families may submit an Option To Stay Transfer Request if they would like their child to remain at their current school, provided the school remains open for the 2023-2024 school year.  Families granted Option To Stay Transfers must provide their own transportation.