Top features grace new school

A soundproof band room, energy-efficient light sensors, tall ceilings in wide halls and banks of windows revealing trees and lawns.

These are some of the features of the new Park Elementary School reviewed by Iberia Parish School Board members who walked through the facility prior to their meeting Wednesday night.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said Clara Carrier, District 1 board representative, where both the old and new schools are located. “It’s 99 percent different from the old school. I’m so satisfied. I’ve had people in other schools ask how we could do this, and I tell them. ‘People.’ The people of Iberia Parish should be so proud.”

The pre-K through sixth-grade facility at 1609 W. Admiral Doyle has been approved for occupancy by the state and is only waiting for minor detail work to be completed in preparation for the upcoming school year. The 57,729-square-foot school features 23 full-size classrooms, three computer labs, two special education classrooms and four half-size classrooms for resource, gifted and talented and speech classes, said Terry Crochet, architect and owner of Architects Design Studio in New Iberia.

After the walk-through by the board, staff and principal Evelyn Louis, all met in the cafetorium, the combined cafeteria and auditorium space, for the brief, scheduled board meeting.

During the meeting the personnel involved with the construction project were acknowledged, including Trent Descant of M.D. Descant contractors, Crochet, Louis, School Board director of maintenance Harry Lopez, and many others.

Superintendent Dale Henderson gave credit to Robbie LeBlanc, District 5 board representative, for pointing out at an earlier meeting held at the new North Lewis Elementary School that this project, along with many others completed by the board, would not have been possible without the support of the community.

“Most of all we have to thank the voters,” Henderson said, “because without their help and support of these bond propositions, these brand new facilities would not be a reality.”

People who visit the parish are so impressed with the kind of environment the students have in Iberia Parish, he said, before thanking everyone a final time.

In his closing remarks Henderson acknowledged the school system’s philosophy in building new facilities by pointing out the facilities are for the students, teachers and staff.

“We don’t get to come here every day, but the kids come every day, the teachers come every day, the staff comes every day, and that’s why we are so proud to be able to open this,” Henderson said.