Committee moves $375,000 biomedical building appropriation to full board after contested discussion

Board members discussed a district opportunity to acquire a former medical/education building (referred to in committee as the BioMed) using $375,000 appropriated through the Department of Treasury. Superintendent (S6) explained the funds were allocated for acquisition and suggested the building would help separate seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students and expand the district’s medical‑career programming.

Several board members objected to purchasing without a current appraisal and expressed concern about deferred maintenance (the building needs a new roof) and the potential need for additional general‑fund outlays for repairs. Board members also asked whether Opelousas High School campus could accommodate the transferred 7–8 students without buying the building and requested a clearer master plan showing how the purchase would affect district facilities and long‑term costs.

Staff acknowledged a tight deadline tied to the funding (reporting and drawdown requirements near the end of June) and said the district could re‑allocate the appropriation to maintenance if the board chose not to purchase. The committee voted to move the appropriation recommendation to the full board and asked staff to return with appraisal data, space‑planning information and options for where the money would be applied if the purchase did not proceed.

What happens next: the appropriation recommendation goes to the full board; staff will seek appraisal information, identify potential offsets for required repairs and clarify any reporting requirements with the funder.