St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves merger of Fifth Ward Elementary into East St. John Preparatory, renames school

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board voted on Nov. 7 to merge Fifth Ward Elementary School with East St. John Preparatory on the ESJP campus, creating a K–8 configuration and renaming East St. John Preparatory Academy to Fifth Ward Preparatory Academy.

Board member Triche moved the Strategic Planning Committee’s recommendation for Phase 1 implementation in the 2025–2026 school year; Board member Vicknair seconded. After extended discussion and several unsuccessful substitute motions from other board members, the motion carried 7–4. Those voting in favor were Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair and Wallace; Holden, Burl, Morris and Mamou voted no.

Strategic Committee Chair Holden had outlined a two-phase plan earlier in the meeting. Phase 1 includes redistricting Fifth Ward students who live near LaPlace Elementary to attend LaPlace, relocating certain programs (the alternative program and John L. Ory placements), and beginning design work for a centralized early childhood center and an elementary building on the WSJH campus. Phase 2 envisions implementing the centralized early childhood center in SY 2026–2027, further campus moves, and construction of a centralized transportation and maintenance site.

Several substitute motions were proposed and failed during deliberations. Board member Morris’s substitute motions — including one to close Fifth Ward outright and one to schedule public hearings on closing John L. Ory and a west bank school within 60 days — failed for lack of a second. Another substitute motion from Burl to direct administration to prepare a plan to make Garyville/Mt. Airy a “true magnet school” also failed for lack of a second.

Board members who supported the committee recommendation said the proposal was part of a larger facilities reconstruction plan intended to consolidate resources and implement the committee’s Key Performance Indicators for 2025–2026. Opponents raised concerns during discussion about school closures, community notification, and the pace of the proposed changes; the transcript records dissenting votes but does not record a final timetable for implementation beyond the committee’s phase descriptions.

Next steps recorded in the meeting transcript: the board approved the motion and did not adopt any of the substitute motions; administration was not recorded as having presented a finalized implementation schedule, and the transcript does not show whether additional public hearings were scheduled at the meeting. The Strategic Planning Committee announced upcoming meetings on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 for further planning.

The vote and motion were recorded during the Nov. 7 regular meeting at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria in Reserve.