The new school for grades 7-12 is part of the District's "Blueprint to Excellence," an ambitious master plan the school board approved in April. The plan includes construction of the new 12-classroom high school building and a renovated junior division on the former campus of North Shore Technical College in Greensburg, La.

The $13 million project, which is funded largely through the passage of a local property tax millage, also includes a renovated auditorium and the construction of a new football stadium, field house and eight-lane track on the high school campus. The football and track stadium, which is scheduled for completion by the start of the 2015 football season, has been financed, in part, by a $90,000 zero-interest loan through the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA).

St. Helena Parish School Superintendent Kelli Joseph explained construction of the Arts and Technology Academy (Pre-K to 6) is scheduled to begin before the end of this year. It and the career academy represent a major step forward for local students. Those in grades 7-12 have been housed in temporary buildings since 2008, when the school building was destroyed by fire. In addition, she said, none of the buildings had received any major renovations since they were built in the mid-20^th Century.

"Students of St. Helena Parish School District had never experienced learning in a real environment that was conducive to learning. Their buildings were old, outdated and worn. Now, they will be housed in a state-of-the-art facility that will truly show them that their community cares about their educational well-being," Joseph said.

"The community will be able to see where their taxpayer dollars were put to good use, and they will have access to the facilities, including the track, auditorium and gym," she continued.

The vote to approve the $8 million property tax that is funding construction and other improvements in the district, including staff pay increases, was the first successful tax measure in two decades, Joseph said. "The community saw that we were putting children first, and I think it made all the difference."

Her leadership team and the school board implemented a number of changes to the operational and academic structure that have resulted in gains in student achievement and an elimination of the District's budget deficit.

"We strengthened professional development for teachers, streamlined our administrative budget and accomplished a dramatic staff reorganization to ensure the District is working at peak efficiency. Now we're constructing new classrooms and facilities - the first in generations. Our whole community has committed to this investment," she said.

The $13 million rebuilding project includes about $8 million for the high school campus. About $1.3 million of this is dedicated to the football and track stadium and field house. The no-interest loan from LPFA's Rural Development Zero Interest Loan Program will save the District a little more than $4,000 in interest payments.

"The people of St. Helena Parish are proud, not only of these new facilities, but of the improvements underway in the academic and operational aspects of the school system. We're pleased to play a part in the District's master plan and wish them every success with this important endeavor," said LPFA Vice President of Economic & Program Development Martin Walke.