Old Army Reserve building may house school
Published 10:06 am Friday, April 19, 2013
Two ordinances introduced during a meeting of the Bogalusa City Council Tuesday indicate the Northshore Charter School could be located in the now-vacant Army Reserve building on the southeast corner of the George Carr Memorial Airport.
Public hearings on the ordinances will take place at the next council meeting May 7.
One ordinance would authorize Mayor Charles Mizell to sign a right of entry agreement with the United States “by and through” the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the building.
According to the ordinance, the COE leased the property from the city in 1961, and when the Army Reserve vacated it last summer the Corps asked other federal agencies if they were interested in moving in but got no takers.
It was then reported to the General Service Agency as excess property “for termination of the lease.” The city will get the property back, and it plans to lease it to the new school.
The second ordinance would authorize Mizell to enter into a lease agreement with Northshore Charter School for the property.
The tuition-free public school is scheduled to open for the 2013-2014 school year.
After the City Council meeting, Mizell indicated the proposed action has no bearing on the Bogalusa City School System but simply provides another option for parents and students.
As with religion, politics and more “one size doesn’t fit all,” he said. “It’s all about choice.”
School officials declined comment pending further council action.
The council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.